Triglycerides & Dates

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in blood and fat tissue. In fact, all the excess calories in the body are stored as triglycerides and released into the blood between meals. Less than 150 mg of triglycerides per dL of blood, according to MayoClinic.com, is considered normal. Blood triglyceride levels of more than 200 mg/dL may indicate hypertriglyceridemia, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. It may also indicate poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes or hypothyroidism. Healthy diet and exercise along with certain medications may help manage the triglyceride levels in the blood. Certain foods such as dates may help as well.

About Dates

Dates are the brown, oval and wrinkled fruits of the date palm, or Phoenix dactylifera tree native to the Persian Gulf. They have been used historically as a food and contain high amounts of dietary fiber along with other carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, proteins, minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium and fluorine, and some vitamins. Dates have also been used to treat a variety of ailments including constipation, indigestion, alcohol intoxication and sexual dysfunction. Dates are available as fresh and dried fruits.

Link Between Dates and Triglycerides

Date pulp has the ability to lower the triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the body and may thereby, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis or plaque formation in the blood vessels, according to an study published in a 2007 issue of the "International Journal of Pharmacology." Another animal study published in the October-December 2010 edition of the "Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences" also suggests that water-based extracts from the leaves of the date tree can also lower the blood triglyceride levels significantly. In fact, dietary fibers from dates have lowered the blood triglyceride levels in laboratory animals by as much as 23 to 35 percent, says Yiu H. Hui, author of the book "Handbook of Fruits and Fruit Processing."

Side Effects

No major side effects have been associated with the consumption of date fruits. However, the fruits do contain high amounts of simple carbohydrates in them and may thereby, increase the blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. Excessive intake of the fruit may also lead to gastric disturbances and nausea.

Precautions

Most benefits of dates have been proven in animal models only and actual clinical cases with regard to the dosage, benefits and side effects of the fruit are limited. So, always talk to a doctor before using dates to lower triglyceride levels to determine if it is right for you.