New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Living in polluted cities puts pressure on the body in ways people do not always notice right away. Dirty air increases oxidative stress, interferes with how cells function and quietly drains energy over the course of the day. By evening, many people feel wiped out and reach for energy drinks, hoping for a quick lift. Nutrition researchers say there is a much older, simpler option that works differently: dates.

Fatigue linked to pollution is not just about poor sleep or long workdays. Oxidative stress damages cells and disrupts how the body creates and uses energy. Caffeine-heavy drinks tend to cover that exhaustion rather than fix it. They stimulate the nervous system, raise alertness for a short stretch, then wear...