Evidence Based
Following a nutritious diet is important for general health and wellness. Eating a balanced diet, including plenty of foods like healthy fruits and vegetables, is essential.
It turns out that nutritious foods aren’t just beneficial for general health. They can also improve your sexual performance.
Some foods can enhance overall health and benefit your sexual life. Others might lead to specific benefits for sexual health, such as increased arousal.
One food that has received attention lately is date fruit, which may benefit a person’s sex life. Below, learn about the benefits of dates sexually, and you might be compelled to eat more of this fruit.
What Are The Sexual Benefits Of Dates?
Dates may come with the following sexual health benefits:
- Treatment of erectile dysfunction.
- Increase in sexual desire.
- Treatment of male infertility.
- Improved lubrication for women.
- Increased sexual stamina.
Sexual Benefits Of Eating Dates
The foods we eat affect the physiology of our body, and in some cases, foods can affect sexual functioning. Based on its properties, the date palm fruit may have sexual benefits. Most research evaluating the benefits of dates has involved date extracts rather than whole fruit.
Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction
If you consume dates, you might find that symptoms of erectile dysfunction improve. Dates contain antioxidants, which can reverse some of the physiological processes involved in erectile dysfunction. Research has found that these antioxidant properties[1] can enhance sexual behavior in rats.
Consuming dates can be especially beneficial for people who have health conditions causing reduced sexual function. For example, men who have had a coronary artery bypass graft are especially prone to erectile dysfunction. Research shows that consuming powder from date palms improves erectile dysfunction[2] in men who have undergone this procedure.
Other research has found that date palm improves erectile dysfunction[3] in men who are experiencing infertility with their partners. Study authors speculated that hormones[3] in date palms could improve sexual performance. Based on available research, date palms may be helpful for sexual impotence.
Increase In Sexual Desire
Women who struggle with sexual arousal problems might find that dates improve their sex life. Research has demonstrated that supplementation with date palms increases sexual desire in women. This is true for pre-menopausal[4] women.
Research with women experiencing infertility with their partners has also shown the benefits of date palm consumption. When women affected by infertility take a date palm supplement, they experience increases in arousal.[3] This suggests date palm could be a natural aphrodisiac.
Treatment Of Male Infertility
Date palm has historically been utilized to treat fertility problems. Research with mice has shown that date palms may be beneficial for treating infertility.
In one study, mice were exposed to electromagnetic fields that damaged the testes and harmed reproductive health. Study results showed that mice given a date palm extract before exposure to electromagnetic fields experienced less damage.[5] They had higher sperm count and motility and increased testosterone levels.
A review of multiple studies concerned with the effects of date palms on infertility also showed positive outcomes. Studies under review confirmed that date palm extracts have antioxidant effects[6] that can prevent and treat male infertility. Extracts increased sex hormones involved in fertility and improved sperm[6] quality and motility.
Improved Lubrication For Women
Benefits of dates for women sexually include improved lubrication, which can make sex more comfortable. A study with postmenopausal women found that a date palm supplement improved vaginal lubrication[7] and reduced pain during sex.
Additional research has shown that date palm supplements improve lubrication[4] in pre-menopausal women as well. These findings suggest that date palms can be beneficial for women experiencing vaginal dryness.
Increased Sexual Stamina
Based on the nutritional properties of dates, they may enhance sexual stamina. Dates are a source of natural sugars, and as such, they provide quick energy.[8] For those who lack endurance during sex, dates may boost energy levels.
Regular consumption of dates is considered helpful for sexual stamina.[9] Consuming dates daily can also be helpful for alleviating sluggishness. These factors can lead to enhanced sexual performance.
Nutritional Value Of Dates
Beyond their benefits for your sexual life, dates are packed with nutrients. They are a good source of minerals,[8] including magnesium and potassium. Date palm fruits are also high in fiber.[10]
A serving of three dates[11] has the following nutritional content:
- Calories: 199.5.
- Protein: 1.3 grams.
- Carbohydrates: 54 grams.
- Fat: 0.11 grams.
- Fiber: 4.83 grams.
Health Benefits Of Dates
Date fruits provide health benefits because they are nutrient-dense and high in antioxidants. One study found that several varieties of dates had antioxidant properties[12] that could stop cancer cell growth.
Some research suggests that date palm fruit has antimicrobial properties.[10] People may use the fruit to treat wounds, fevers, intestinal disorders, and bronchitis.
Dates may also be used to reduce inflammation[13] and enhance immunity, but more research is needed to confirm these benefits. Additional benefits from dates arise from their content of non-starch polysaccharides. These carbohydrates can promote regular bowel movements, maintain body weight, and regulate blood sugar.
Dates can also be beneficial for people with diabetes. They are a source of natural sugar, but they have a low glycemic index. This means they do not cause dramatic spikes in blood sugar, and they may even reduce blood sugar.[14]
Finally, the potassium in date palms can help to regulate blood pressure. This can improve heart health and prevent stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Do Dates Actually Bring Sexual Benefits?
There is some research suggesting that dates have various health benefits, particularly for sexual functioning. However, most of this research has been conducted with people taking date palm supplements. While these supplements contain date extracts, taking a supplement is different from consuming dates as whole fruit.
Date extracts have antioxidant properties that might make them beneficial for treating erectile dysfunction. There is also some evidence that they can elevate sexual desire, aid infertility, and increase sexual stamina.
You might eat dates to promote a good sexual life, but remember, most research has been conducted with supplements. Fresh dates may not be as effective as extracts for improving sexual function.
Nonetheless, dates are nutritious, and they come with several health benefits. Diet contributes to sexual health, so eating nutritious foods like dates can be beneficial.
For men, an anti-inflammatory diet, like the Mediterranean diet, can improve erectile functioning[15] and testosterone levels. For overweight and obese men, losing weight can also improve their sex life. Since dates are involved in body weight management, they can be helpful in this regard.
Healthy dietary patterns are also important for women’s sexual health. An anti-inflammatory diet can improve blood flow[16] to the genital region. Since dates can be anti-inflammatory,[13] they can also be beneficial for women.
The bottom line is that a healthy diet improves sexual health. Given this fact, dates can be part of a healthy lifestyle that promotes a good sex life. There is some evidence that specific date extracts, taken as supplements, can also improve sexual health.
Are Dates Good For Men Sexually?
Dates, and particularly date extracts, have multiple health benefits related to men’s sexual functioning. They can increase sex hormones,[17] improve sperm motility, and enhance sperm quality. These factors can lead to improved fertility.
Dates also have antioxidant properties that can alleviate erectile dysfunction[18] in men. For men having trouble maintaining an erection, dates may be helpful.
It’s important to remember that most of the research with dates involves supplements containing specific date extracts. You may not experience the same benefits if you add dates to your diet.
Are Dates Good For Women Sexually?
According to research, extracts from dates benefit women sexually. They can enhance lubrication,[19] providing treatment for vaginal dryness. They can also improve sexual desire and arousal,[3] which may help women to get in the mood.
As with men, the research with women has involved supplements from date palm trees. Eating date fruits may not have the same benefits.
Potential Side Effects
It’s important to understand both the benefits and side effects when you eat dates. While this fruit may have some health benefits, you must also consider potential negative reactions.
In general, dates are safe to consume. They are a natural fruit included in the daily diet in many countries, including Saudi Arabia.[8] Unless you are allergic to these fruits, they have no specific side effects.
Signs of an allergic reaction[20] to dates include hives, flushing or rash, tingling or itching in the mouth, and dizziness. You could also experience swelling in the tongue or face, difficulty breathing, and stomach cramping.
Date extracts also appear to be safe, with limited side effects. However, in rare cases, they may cause allergic reactions.
There has been one reported case of a man experiencing portal vein thrombosis[21] after consuming date powder. This condition blocks blood flow in the portal vein and is very rare. It is not likely that you would experience this condition with a date supplement.
Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about the side effects of dates or date extracts.
Ways To Include Dates In Your Diet
If you want to enjoy the health benefits of dates, there are several ways to include them in your diet. You can buy whole-date fruits and enjoy them on their own as a snack or dessert. You can also use them as a natural sweetener or to add flavor to yogurt or oatmeal.
Some people may blend dates in a food processor to make a date paste. The paste can then be used on top of toast or bagels as a jam. It can also be used to add flavor to a sandwich.
Since research testing the benefits of dates for sexual disorders has used date extracts, you might prefer a supplement. You can buy date powders through online retailers or health food stores.
Conclusion
Dates are believed to be beneficial for sexual health, and there is evidence that this might be the case. However, most research has studied people consuming supplements containing extracts from dates. Eating whole dates may not provide the same benefits as the specific extracts used in supplements.
If you enjoy eating dates, they are nutritious, natural fruits that come with several health benefits. Their antioxidant effects could have benefits for sexual functioning, but supplements have more research supporting their effectiveness.
For those who struggle with sexual functioning, including dates in your diet could come with benefits. They have a high nutritional value, which can promote overall health and help with body weight management. You might find that with a healthier diet and lifestyle, sexual functioning improves too.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is some evidence that dates can improve erectile functioning.[18] However, more research is needed. There isn’t enough evidence to suggest that dates are as effective as Viagra.
No magical foods make a man strong in bed. Consuming a nutritious, anti-inflammatory diet[15] and maintaining a healthy weight are helpful.
Dates may reduce inflammation, providing benefits for a woman’s body. They can improve vaginal lubrication[7] and promote blood flow[13] to the genital region.
Dates contain high amounts of magnesium,[8] which affects sleep health. People who consume adequate magnesium tend to have better sleep quality.[22] Date fruit before bed could help you to maintain adequate magnesium intake for sleep health.
Animal research has shown that dates can increase sperm count.[5] They may also boost testosterone, which can help with male fertility.