The smallest dietary tweaks, additions, and pairings can boost your health by a mile. If you eat dates regularly, here's a tweak for you that can further enhance the nutritional benefits and the impact of these power-packed seeds. Talking to the Onlymyhealth team, George John, Business Head, KLF Nirmal Industries suggested that you should soak dates in virgin coconut oil and eat them on an empty stomach.
Refined vs Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is rich in antibacterial and antioxidant properties, benefits skin and oral health, and also prevents water loss.
“Among the numerous coconut oils available, refined and unrefined (or virgin) are the most common. Refined coconut oil is typically produced by machine-pressing dried coconut meat, called copra. On the other hand, unrefined or virgin coconut oil is derived from fresh coconut milk from mature coconuts, either through mechanical or natural processes, sometimes with minimal heat to maintain its natural qualities. When this extraction process is natural and involves minimal heat, it results in what's known as ‘cold pressed’ virgin oil,” explained John.
Health Benefits Of Virgin Coconut Oil
According to the Coconut Development Board, virgin coconut oil boasts a rich blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, earning it the title 'Mother of all Oils'.
“It's packed with Lauric Acid and Vitamin E, devoid of trans fatty acids, and brimming with medium chain fats like lauric acid, akin to fats present in human breast milk,” said John.
He listed some health benefits of virgin coconut oil:
- It addresses various skin ailments effectively.
- It helps improve blood glucose and lipid profiles in type 2 Diabetics by enhancing cellular energy supply.
- Aids in weight loss and HDL (Good cholesterol).
- Enhances antioxidant intake for the body.
- Facilitates the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- The lauric acid in VCO exhibits potent antimicrobial properties, combating disease-causing bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
Health Benefits Of Dates
Dates or date flesh as per the National Library of Medicine are low in fat and protein but high in carbohydrates, particularly fructose and glucose. They are packed with B-complex and C vitamins and are high in dietary fibre, predominantly insoluble fibre.
Also Read: Soaked Or Dry Dates, Which Is The Healthier Way To Consume It?
John said, “Dates also boast a high antioxidant content, particularly carotenoids and phenolics. Interestingly, date seeds have even more protein and fat than the flesh, along with substantial fibre, phenols, and antioxidants. Given their nutritional profile, dates offer numerous health benefits that make them a valuable addition to any diet.”
He listed some health benefits of dates :
- Dates promote digestive health due to their high fibre content.
- The fibre in dates may aid in blood sugar regulation by slowing digestion and preventing blood sugar spikes after meals.
- Dates are rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.
- Dates can enhance brain function.
- Dates serve as a natural sweetener and can be used as a substitute for white sugar.
Dates Soaked Overnight In Virgin Coconut Oil: Health Benefits
“With various benefits of healthy coconut oil and dates, combining them and eating on an empty stomach depends on the individual's physiological demands, as dates soaked overnight in virgin coconut oil improve nutritional absorption, soften the hard exterior, and aid in fat-soluble vitamin absorption,” said John.
He listed the benefits of eating dates soaked in virgin coconut oil:
- It benefits skin health and slows down the ageing process.
- Dates are a natural sweetener and coconut oil promotes insulin production, manages blood sugar and helps increase metabolism.
Consider This While Eating Virgin Coconut Oil Soaked Dates
While coconut oil's MCTs can enhance energy and improve digestion, excessive saturated fat intake may pose health risks. John said, “Soaking dates in coconut oil adds calories and alters their nutrition, potentially leading to weight gain if over-consumed.”
So if you're trying to watch your weight, John suggested soaking dates in water instead of virgin coconut oil and eating them in moderation.