Dates are one of the healthy dry fruits that are nutritious and full of taste but as they say anything in excess is harmful. This humble fruit if eaten inordinately can cause not just one but too many side-effects. Especially for children, as dates are thick and might not be easy-to-digest for children which may cause them stomach ailments.
One of the major risks with dates is that these contain preservatives and sometimes are given a wax coating for shine and luster. Consumption of these harmful compounds would certainly pose serious risks for your health. Here are some anticipated side-effects of dates.
Abdominal Issues
Organic dates are healthy but those with preservatives are danger. Sulfite is used as a preservative which is harmful to our stomach health. While excessive consumption of this chemical compound is bad for all, people who are sensitive to sulfite shall suffer severe allergic reactions including bloating, abdominal pain, gas and diarrhea. Also, dates are high in fiber which is why their overconsumption can trigger abdominal issues. Some research shows that eating dates can worsen diarrhea.
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Weight Gain
Dates are though rich in fiber, these also have a high-calorie profile(about 2.8 calories per gram) which is bad for your weight. Your love for dates may trigger an unprecedented weight gain that might also bring other health complications such as diabetes, BP, etc. along.
Can Cause Hyperkalemia
Along with fiber, dates are high in Potassium which means consuming more dates means elevates ‘K’ levels and this condition is called Hyperkalemia. People who have this condition should strictly refrain from eating dates. The ideal value of potassium in the human body should lie between 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter. Exceeding levels are dangerous for health and require immediate medical aid.
Causes Skin Rashes
Due to the sulfite content, consumption of dates in excess would take a toll on your skin also. Sometimes dried fruits such as dates contain mold which also irritates the skin.
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Asthma Attacks
While no direct relation between dates and asthma has been established yet but dates cause allergy and allergy may trigger asthma. Therefore, Asthma patients need to take special care while consuming dates. Don’t buy dates from a street vendor as these may contain airborne substances that can trigger an allergy.
May cause Fructose Intolerance
Dates contain fructose which gives them their natural sweetness. A lot of people have trouble digesting fructose which leads to fructose intolerance. This is caused when the sugar(fructose) is not absorbed by the body and passes as a whole without breaking. This triggers gas, bloating, stomach pain, constipation, abdominal discomfort, etc. when sugar comes in contact with the bacteria present in the intestines.
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Unhealthy For Kids
Dates are thick dried fruits that need to be chewed properly to get digested. The intestines of children are in the developing stage which makes it difficult to digest dates(if eaten raw). Therefore, you must not let your kids have dates as a whole.
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