The combination of dates and milk makes a delicious bedtime snack with a variety of potential health benefits. Dates are healthy fruits that contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals,[1] while milk is a rich source of calcium and protein. Together, dates and milk deliver an abundance of essential nutrients that could benefit both your mental and physical health.
So, what are the health benefits of dates with milk at night, and can you eat dates with milk every day?
What Are The Benefits Of Dates With Milk At Night?
- Benefits Digestion.
- Enhances Bone Health.
- Improves Sexual Health.
- Promotes Brain Health.
- Improves Cardiovascular Health.
- Protects Against Cancer.
- Improves Sleep Quality.
Health Benefits Of Having Dates With Milk At Night
Benefits Digestion
Dates are a good source of dietary fiber[2] and, as such, can promote healthy digestive function. Dates primarily contain insoluble fiber which is key for promoting regular and healthy bowel movements. In addition to fiber, dates contain many other compounds with laxative properties[3] and can be used as a natural remedy for constipation.
Eating dates may also help to regulate your gut microbiota by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, and might even reduce your risk[4] of colon cancer.
Enhances Bone Health
Milk and dates both contain nutrients that contribute to bone health. Dates contain[5] magnesium, potassium, and calcium. These are three essential minerals that play important roles in promoting healthy bones.
Magnesium benefits bone health by helping to maintain their mineral density,[6] which may reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Getting enough potassium in your diet also helps to maintain bone density and health, and may further reduce your risk of osteoporosis.[7]
Calcium is a major component of bones,[8] and 99% of your body’s calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. As a result, calcium is essential for maintaining bone health. Adequate calcium intake is key for keeping your bones strong and may help to prevent fractures.[9]
Milk is also an excellent source of calcium, with a single cup providing almost a quarter[10] of your daily recommended intake. Therefore, drinking milk and eating dates as a bedtime snack delivers a double dose of bone-healthy nutrients.
Improves Sexual Health
Consuming dates may improve sexual health and function in both men and women. One month of eating dates[11] had a positive effect on the sexual function of infertile couples. The fruit effectively increased levels of sexual desire and function among male and female participants, possibly due to the alkaloids and flavonoids found in dates.
Infertility risk was reduced by eating dates in both males and females. In women, dates may improve the quality of egg cells and help regulate hormonal levels, increasing their likelihood of having a viable egg available for fertilization. Eating dates during pregnancy can also help address the mild anemia[12] caused by iron deficiency and increase the delivery of oxygen to the organs of both mother and fetus.
In men, the fruit has been found to improve sperm motility, count, and viability. This means the number and health of sperm cells are increased, making it more likely that they will reach and fertilize an egg.
Female fertility may be further improved by drinking milk combined with eating dates, but only if the milk is full-fat. This is because high-fat dairy products, like whole milk, have been found to increase female fertility,[13] whereas low-fat dairy may increase the risk of infertility due to lack of ovulation.
For couples hoping to conceive, regularly snacking on dates and milk may increase the likelihood of pregnancy. However, women should stick to whole milk if they want to improve their chances of falling pregnant.
Promotes Brain Health
Dates have been found to benefit many aspects of brain health, and are a good choice for people hoping to boost their memory power and thinking skills.
Dates have a range of neuroprotective properties[14] that may improve brain function due to their rich antioxidant content. Antioxidants can protect brain cells from the damaging effects of free radicals and may help reduce your risk of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease, mice fed dates[14] regularly had better memory, learning skills, and overall cognitive function compared with mice on a no-date diet. The researchers speculated that the phytochemicals found in dates have neuroprotective benefits that could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in humans.
This means regular date consumption may help improve your memory power and thinking skills, and could even preserve your cognitive health long-term.
Combining dates with milk may further boost your brain function, as dairy also contains essential nutrients that are beneficial for brain health. One study found that a higher dairy intake was associated with better cognitive function[15] and information processing speed among older adults.
Further research has found that daily dairy intake could benefit multiple aspects of cognitive function,[16] including memory, learning, and problem-solving. Consuming dates with milk as your evening snack may, therefore, boost your brain power and help maintain cognitive function as you age.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Date fruits have many positive effects on the cardiovascular system and could have significant benefits for your heart health.
Dates have a high fiber content and contain phenolic compounds, which are both thought to protect against heart disease.[17] The soluble fiber in dates could lower cholesterol, while the phenolic compounds are thought to reduce blood pressure. These effects mean that eating a few dates every evening may help to improve or maintain your heart health.
Dates are also thought to benefit vascular health.[18] The cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties of these fruits can improve circulation, leading to increased blood flow all over your body. Therefore, eating foods that benefit your blood vessels has a wide range of potential health benefits.
Protects Against Cancer
The antioxidant properties[19] of dates can help to protect your body from the damaging effects of free radicals and may prevent various types of cancer. In particular, studies have found[20] a link between increased date consumption and a significantly lower risk of breast and colon cancer. Therefore, eating dates every day may help to protect you from serious medical conditions and improve your long-term health.
Improves Sleep Quality
Drinking a warm glass of milk at bedtime is a tradition in many cultures, and research suggests that it may help you sleep better. Dairy products are rich in tryptophan;[21] an amino acid that your body uses to make melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep[22] and circadian rhythms, so boosting your melatonin production with an evening glass of milk could improve both the quality and duration of your sleep.
Is It Good To Eat Dates With Milk At Night?
Dates and milk are great bedtime snacks with a variety of potential health benefits. You can enjoy dates with milk at any time of the day, but many people find this sweet, comforting treat is best enjoyed at night. Drinking warm milk before bed can help you sleep more soundly while dates can satisfy your sweet tooth and boost your intake of essential vitamins and minerals.
Dates are also rich in natural sugars and may help curb evening sugar cravings. If you are trying to limit your sugar intake, try eating a few dates after dinner. Many people find the rich sweetness of dates satisfying enough to stop them from reaching for more sugary snacks.
For those trying to put on a few pounds, dates with milk may contribute to healthy weight gain. Dates are an energy-dense fruit and each one contains around 66 calories.[1] Eating three dates with one cup of whole milk[23] will contribute around 300 calories to your daily intake, so making this your daily evening snack may help you put on weight.
Potential Side Effects
Dates are full of natural sugars[1] and contain more calories than most other fruits. A single date contains around 66 calories, so eating too many dates can lead to weight gain. If you want to eat dates without putting on weight, limit your intake to two or three dates per day.
What Is The Best Time To Eat Dates With Milk?
Dates with milk can be enjoyed at any time of the day. This combination is rich in nutrients, dietary fiber, and natural sugars, making it great for breakfast or a healthy snack. Many people like to eat dates with milk before bed, but you can get the same health benefits from eating dates in the morning or afternoon.
If you want to maximize your nutrient intake it’s important to eat a balanced diet containing a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fruit and vegetable supplements and green powders are an easy way to get more micronutrients in your diet if you feel you are lacking in essential vitamins and minerals.
The best green powders contain micronutrients and antioxidants found in green, leafy vegetables and can significantly boost the nutritional value of your daily diet.
Final Words
Dates have a wide range[24] of health benefits and may reduce your risk of cancer, promote healthy blood circulation, improve heart health, and boost brain function. Milk is also rich in vital nutrients and, thanks to its rich calcium content, is especially beneficial for bone health.[25]
Consuming dates with milk at night can help improve sleep quality and may reduce sugar cravings, while significantly boosting your intake of essential micronutrients. This combination is especially beneficial for people trying to gain weight, as the natural sugars in dates and calories in whole milk make it an energy-dense snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can enjoy dates with milk at any time of day, but many people prefer to eat them at night. Tryptophan, an amino acid found in milk, may help you sleep better, while dates can help curb after-dinner sugar cravings.
Dates and milk both contain a variety of essential nutrients and, when combined, have lots of potential health benefits. For example, milk is an excellent source of protein and calcium while dates are rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants.
Dates are a high-calorie fruit, so you may not want to eat too many if you are watching your weight. The recommended daily serving size is two or three dates; this will contribute approximately 130 – 195 calories[1] to your diet.
You can eat dates with milk on an empty stomach; in fact, some people prefer to do so, as the high fiber content of dates can make them very filling.
You can enjoy dates at any time of the day, including at night. Some people prefer to eat dates after eating dinner, as the sweet fruit can help to reduce night-time sugar cravings.
If you want to soak dates in milk, let the fruit soak overnight for best results.
