Dates have been a staple food in the Middle East and South Asia for a very long time. Whether fresh or dry, this fruit is absolutely delicious and has numerous health benefits.

However, you’ve probably heard about how too much of anything is bad for you. Well, dates are no exception.

Even though there’re many benefits offered by this delicious fruit, one still has to be careful of not overdoing it when it comes to dates. Here’s why.

1. Increase In Blood Sugar Levels

Dates are considered a high-glycemic food because of their high sugar content. The glycemic index (GI) measures how quickly a certain food affects the body’s blood glucose levels. Dates have a GI score of 103, while that of glucose is 100.This should give us an idea as to how high the sugar levels in dates are. Additionally, dates are also high in carbohydrates – about 40 grams per 2-ounce serving. This is termed as a high glycemic load (a measurement of how much the carbohydrate content of a food affects blood sugar levels). Over-consumption of high glycemic index and load foods can increase the risks of type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

2. Can Induce Weight Gain

Dates are rich in fiber content and we all know that fiber aids weight loss. Still, there is a very valid reason as to why dates are not the ideal food for weight loss.

Any food that is high in energy density, i.e. calories per gram, will help you gain weight without the numerous calories.Dates are known around 2.8 calories per gram, a number which stands at almost double than that of low energy density foods which have only 1.5 calories per gram. If you want to stick to a strict weight loss routine, you must avoid eating too many dates.

3. Stomach Pain

There are two factors which make dates infamous for stomach aches.

High Fiber Content – Fiber is known for its applause-worthy ability to prevent heart ailments and type 2 diabetes. Fibers are nothing but plant based carbohydrates that do not digest in the body. They help in keeping your bowel movements smooth. Too much of fiber can overwhelm your intestinal bacteria and lead to stomach ache.

Body’s Sensitivity To Sulfite – Sulfite is a chemical added to dates to maintain their waxy coating and shine. It also increases the shelf life of the fruit by preventing harmful bacteria from growing. If your body is sensitive to sulfite, it is very likely that you may face certain complications like excessive bloating, painful stomach aches, and diarrhea.

4. Stomach Gas

Foods with high fructose content should be blamed for stomach gas.This is another reason why one should avoid dates, which are well known for their high fructose content.

5. Diarrhea

Dates have very high fiber content. In case you are someone who eats too much of this fruit, there are chances that you might experience a spell of diarrhea.

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