The TV doctor eats this food every single day for its variety of health benefits.
TV doctor Amir Khan has shared one food he eats every day to lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Top TV doctor and NHS GP Dr Amir Khan has shared the one food he makes sure to eat every day for maximised health. The resident doctor for ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain often shares health advice on telly.
He recently took to his TikTok to open up about the snack he eats daily. The NHS doctor often shares health tips and insights into his own diet on the social media platform, where he has over 71,000 followers.
In one recent video on his page, he shares one food he eats every day, due to the range of health benefits it brings. And he revealed he eats exactly three of them.
The GP recommends eating dates every day to reap their range of health benefits, which include lowering your blood sugar and cholesterol. Dr Khan said: “Hey team, for the last year or so, I have taken to eating three dates a day and here’s why.”
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Dates are fresh fruits that come from the date palm tree, often grown in North Africa.
While some varieties can be eaten fresh, many dates are allowed to dry on the tree before being harvested or dried post-harvest to extend their shelf life.
Dr Khan explained some of the health benefits of adding dates to your regular diet. He said: “Dates don’t negatively impact your long-term blood sugars, even if you’re diabetic.
‘Three dates a day keeps the doctor away’ says Amir Khan(Image: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
“Dates don’t have an impact on average blood sugar levels or fasting blood sugar levels, and actually, studies show that dates can lower your blood sugars and even lower your cholesterol.
“That’s probably because of their high-fibre content, and that high fibre makes them excellent for your gut health too.”
Medicine Net indeed explains that dates are a healthy and delicious way to reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as ‘bad cholesterol’, in the body.
Studies suggest that consuming dates can lower your blood sugar levels, and scientists are even looking into how eating them could potentially lower the risk of diabetes.
Dr Khan added: “Now, the other health benefits of dates is that they’re loaded with one of my favourite things – plant antioxidants and polyphenols, which can help reduce cell damage done by harmful free radicals that have been linked to things like autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular disease and even some cancers.
“Early studies that are, I have to stress, early studies, show that the antioxidant effects of dates can even improve brain health by reducing inflammation that has been linked to things like Alzheimer’s disease. Though we do need more research to support that.”
While more research is required on the subject, Healthline also states that these sweet and sticky dried fruits could support brain health, due to their antioxidant content and potential to reduce inflammation in the brain.
Dr Khan concluded: “So, if you’re looking for an alternative sweet treat to refined sugar, then you can’t go wrong with dates.
“And if you want the best dates in the world, I would go with Palestinian dates. Trust me, they taste amazing, and plus, you’re supporting an oppressed people.”
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