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6 Benefits of Medjool Dates
You can eat Medjool dates raw, dried, or as a sugar alternative in recipes. They contain fiber and other beneficial nutrients, including iron and potassium.
Medjool dates are a variety of dates enjoyed for their natural sweetness. They're larger, darker, and more caramel-like in taste than other common types like Deglet Noor.
As tropical stone fruits, they have a single pit surrounded by edible flesh.
Native to Morocco, Medjool dates come from the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) and are now grown in warm regions of the United States, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.
They're often sold dried but not dehydrated, making them soft and sticky. Their sugars become more concentrated as they dry, increasing their sweetness.
This article explains the nutritional content, benefits, and uses of Medjool dates.
Medjool date nutrition facts
Medjool dates are a concentrated source of healthy nutrients. Just 2 dates (48 grams) provide:
Calories: 133
Carbs: 36 grams
Fiber: 3.2 grams
Protein: 0.8 grams
Sugar: 32 grams
Fat: 0 grams
Calcium: 2% of the Daily Value (DV)
Iron: 2% of the DV
Potassium: 7% of the DV
Copper: 19% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 7% of the DV
Magnesium: 6% of the DV
Dates offer a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, B vitamins, copper, and magnesium.
Medjool dates contain significantly more calcium than other common varieties like Deglet Noor.
Calorie and sugar content
Dates are a concentrated source of natural sugars.
While people who monitor their blood sugar may need to moderate their intake of dates, one 2016 clinical trial found that this stone fruit has a glycemic index (GI) of 55.3, which is considered low.
A recent study also found that eating dates did not negatively impact blood sugar management in people with type 2 diabetes.
Nevertheless, Medjool dates pack many calories in a small serving, so you may want to limit your intake.
Dried fruits, such as raisins, dried apricots, and prunes, contain more calories per serving than their fresh counterparts because they contain less water.
Most of the calories in Medjool dates come from their sugars.
Potential health benefits
Medjool dates offer several health benefits.
May protect your heart
The fiber and antioxidants in Medjool dates may help protect your heart.
Fiber can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and keep your arteries clean, reducing your risk of heart disease. Just two dates (48 grams) contain over three grams of fiber.
One 2013 test-tube study found that Medjool and other date varieties stimulated cholesterol removal from blood cells and prevented the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can lead to the buildup of plaque in arteries. Plaque accumulation can eventually block blood flow, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Further research is needed to confirm this. More recent reviews and analyses of human studies show mixed results.
A 2024 study concluded that dates may lower total cholesterol and triglycerides and improve HDL (good) cholesterol, but found no consistent reduction in LDL. Another study in 2025 found that dates reduced total cholesterol but had no effect on LDL, HDL, or triglycerides.
Medjool dates are also a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Their carotenoid and phenolic acid antioxidants have both been studied for their beneficial effects on heart health.
Supports healthy digestion
Fiber is essential to promoting healthy digestion and bowel regularity. Sufficient fiber in your daily diet helps form stool and prevent constipation.
Eating enough fiber may also reduce your risk of digestive diseases like colorectal cancer.
In a 3-week study, 21 people ate 7 dates (50 grams) daily, significantly improving their bowel movement frequency compared to when they didn't eat dates.
High in antioxidants
Medjool dates boast several antioxidants, which can protect your cells from oxidative damage that can lead to diseases like cancer, heart disease, and brain ailments.
The antioxidants in Medjool dates include flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which have been studied for their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and brain-protective properties.
Other potential health benefits
Natural fuel for your body. Medjool dates offer a high number of carbs in a small serving. Carbs are your body's primary source of energy.
May support bone health. Medjool dates contain a small amount of calcium and are a decent source of potassium, manganese, and copper, all of which are important nutrients for bone health.
May protect brain health. Animal studies link dates' antioxidants to lower levels of inflammatory markers and reduced brain plaques associated with conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Bear in mind that more research is needed on these benefits.
How to add Medjool dates to your diet
Medjool dates are available year-round at most grocery stores. They're often sold along with other dried or raw foods.
Some Medjool dates are pitted, but if you purchase ones with pits, you must remove them before eating. Simply slice the date open lengthwise and pull out the pit.
These dried fruits make a great sugar alternative due to their sweetness, which comes from fructose, a natural sugar.
To substitute Medjool dates for sugar, make a date paste by blending 2 cups (480 grams) of pitted dates with 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) of water. Then, use this paste instead of sugar in your recipes at a 1:1 ratio.
You can also add these sweet fruits to smoothies, sauces, and dressings, or chop them in a food processor and use them for no-bake desserts like pie crusts, energy balls, and fruit-and-chocolate bars.
What's more, you can fill raw Medjool dates with peanut butter, cheese, nuts, or even cooked grains like rice.
