Date Fruit Consumption Research Articles

Improving Female Health at Various Life Stages

This systematic review study aimed to investigate the impact of date fruit products on female health at different stages of their lives. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the risk of bias(RoB) assessment tool. After reviewing 21 eligible studies concluded that, date fruits have a beneficial impact on puberty, reproduction, and menopause periods. During puberty, the consumption of date fruits improved hemoglobin levels in adolescent girls. In reproductive age, date fruits have positive effects on fertility parameters and the sexual function of women and men. Furthermore, in the menopausal period, date fruits improve dyspareunia and help to maintain better ovarian reserves. Supporting women with proper nutrition and enhancing their diet can lead to cost savings compared to medical interventions, and is considered a key preventive measure for improving women's health. By offering simple advice, women can enhance their quality of life and better cope with life's challenges.

Assessment of the phenolic profile and biological activities of aqueous date seed extracts: A comparative analysis

Date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a well-known fruit that has become increasingly popular among consumers due to its pleasant flavor, nutrient-dense content, and nutraceutical characteristics. Date seeds are the main by-product of date fruit consumption and processing. Date seeds are usually incorporated in animal feed; however, their application in human contexts, such as food products, remains minimal. Nonetheless, they contain significant amounts of bioactive phenolic compounds, primarily flavonoids, which possess potential health benefits. The current study investigated and compared the phenolic profile, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of aqueous extracts of nine different date seeds varieties. The phenolic profile, analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS), showed that total phenolic compounds ranged from 1.05 to 1.24 mg/g in Reziz and Naghal varieties, respectively, with flavan-3-ols predominating in all varieties. Results of the ABTS and DPPH assays revealed that the antioxidant activities against free radicals were directly correlated with the overall phenolic content, particularly for caffeic acid. Indeed, all date seeds possessed antibacterial capabilities, with a stronger effect observed on Listeria monocytogenes than Escherichia coli. Additionally, date seeds demonstrated a promising source of oil rich in oleic and lauric acids, both of which are considered beneficial for health. According to our findings, date seeds are a significant source of bioactive compounds, which renders them ideal candidates for potential inclusion in human diets as food additives and nutraceuticals.

Literature Review: The Effect of Ajwa Date Fruit Consumption on Fasting Blood Sugar Levels in Perimenopausal Women

Literature Review: The Effect of Ajwa Date Fruit Consumption on Fasting Blood Sugar Levels in Perimenopausal Women

Effects of date fruit consumption and vitamin D against increased hb levels of pregnant women

Effects of date fruit consumption and vitamin D against increased hb levels of pregnant women

Evaluation of the Phenolic Composition and Biological Activities of Six Aqueous Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Seed Extracts Originating from Different Countries: A Comparative Analysis.

Date seeds, which are the main by-products of date fruit consumption, were shown to possess promising biological activities and health benefits with minimal human use. The present investigation analyzed and compared the phenolic content of six date seed varieties from four different origins (Khudari, Sakai, and Safawi from Saudi Arabia, Majdool from Jordan, Zahdi from Iraq, and Kabkab from Iran). The aqueous extracts were examined for possible antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-tumor potential. Date seed oil was extracted, and fatty acid profiles were compared. The results revealed that date seeds are a rich source of polyphenols, which have been linked to biological activities. Furthermore, the phenolic content seemed highly dependent on the variety, where Kabkab had the highest TPC value (271.2 mg GAE/g DM) while Majdool had the lowest value (63.2 mg GAE/g DM). Antioxidant activities of all varieties were highly correlated with the total phenolic content. The antibacterial investigation demonstrated that the Sakai variety possessed the dominant activity, whereas Majdool showed no activity. The results further indicated the sensitivity of both Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, with a stronger effect against B. cereus, while no effect was observed against Gram-negative strains (Salmonella Typhi and Escherichia coli). All varieties were able to decrease colon and lung cancer cell viability, especially Khudari and Sakai, with stronger effects against colon cancer cells. Analysis of date seed oil showed high oleic acid content, especially in Sakai. The findings suggest that date seeds are promising candidates for future pharmaceutical applications as nutraceuticals to help combat certain illnesses, as well as functional foods and natural additives that boost the nutritional value of food products, increase their shelf lives, and improve the overall health of consumers.

The effect of date fruit consumption on early postpartum hemorrhage: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPostpartum hemorrhage, anemia, and iron deficiency are important health problems. Using safe, cheap, and available methods to reduce the amount of hemorrhage after childbirth can be effective for the mother's health during this period. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of date fruit consumption on the amount of hemorrhage after natural childbirth.MethodsThis randomized clinical trial was conducted on 98 women referred to the maternity ward of Al-Zahra Hospital in Rasht using the available sampling method. The primary outcome was postpartum hemorrhage, measured using the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBLAC). Two hours after delivery, 100 g of date fruits were given to the intervention group, and the amount of hemorrhage was recorded during the first 24 h. Comparison between the two groups was done with the Mann–Whitney test with the Hodges–Lehmann estimator and corresponding exact conditional nonparametric confidence interval (CI) as effect estimate. A P < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe median of postpartum hemorrhage after normal delivery in the date and control groups was 35.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 22.0 to 39.8] and 39.0 [IQR: 27.5 to 64.5], respectively. Using the Hodges–Lehmann estimator, on average, the median postpartum hemorrhage in the date group was 9.0 (95% CI: 2.00–18.0) units lower than the control group (P = 0.009).ConclusionConsumption of dates effectively reduces the amount of hemorrhage after natural childbirth; thus, consuming this fruit during postpartum period is recommended. Also to confirm the findings, it is recommended to conduct similar studies in this field.Trial registrationThis trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; https://www.irct.ir/trial/59197 (IRCT20210607051505N2) on 31/10/2021.

Strategies for the Valorization of Date Fruit and Its Co-Products: A New Ingredient in the Development of Value-Added Foods.

Date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are traditionally cultivated in South-West Asia and North Africa for date fruit consumption, although in recent years, its consumption has increased worldwide, and its cultivation has spread to other areas of America, sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and Southern Europe. During date fruit processing, several types of by-products are generated, such as low-quality dates or seeds, which along with date fruit, represent an excellent source of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, tocopherols, and tocotrienols. Therefore, this review provides information on the processing of dates fruit and the value-added by-products generated from them as well as their applications in different types of foods for the development of foods with an enhanced nutritional and functional profile. The incorporation of date fruit and their co-products in food formulations will help to cover the current consumer demands for foods made with ingredients of natural origin and with health properties beyond the merely nutritional.

Date Fruit Production and Consumption: A Perspective on Global Trends and Drivers from a Multidimensional Footprint Assessment

Date production and consumption is mostly diffused in Middle East and Northern African countries. Date production is linked to the land and water footprint in countries where agricultural land and freshwater are scarce. We estimate the global land, green water, blue water, and water scarcity footprint at the country scale from a production perspective. We show that production trends are increasingly driven by foreign demand. By tracking the international trade dynamics of dates, we map the shift of environmental footprint from the producing to the consuming countries. We find that dates production and consumption are not yet decoupled from the associated environmental burden. Global dates consumption accounted for 1.4 million hectares of agricultural land, 5.8 Gm3 of green water, 7.5 Gm3 of blue water, and the related impact on water scarcity reached 358 Gm3 world equivalent in 2019. The primacy of the economic driver is revealed, indicating that in the case of dates, the environmental sustainability aspects are currently overlooked for the sake of the economic benefit. The time-series analysis provides informative results to support policymakers in the design of mitigation strategies that can help the achievement of the SDGs.

Date fruit consumption for childbirth.

Date fruit consumption for childbirth.

Effect of Date Fruit Consumption in Later Pregnancy on Length of Gestation, Labour and Delivery of Nulliparous Women

Objective: To assess the effect of date fruit consumption in late pregnancy on the onset and progress of labour, the need for induction and augmentation, and delivery outcomes.&#x0D; Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (NCT05105893).&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: One hundred and forty women were randomized into equal-strength Experimental and Control Groups (70 in each Group). The Experimental-Group included those pregnant females who were advised to consume seven dates per day from 35 weeks onwards till the spontaneous onset of labour. In contrast, the Control-Group comprised primigravidae who did not consume dates in later pregnancy.&#x0D; Results: Spontaneous onset of labour was reported in 59(84.2%) pregnant women of the Experimental-Group compared to 43(61.4%) of Control-Group. 55(78.5%) pregnant women who consumed date fruit had a spontaneous vaginal delivery,4(5.7%) required instrumental delivery, and 11(15%) ended up having a caesarean section, whereas 43 out of 70(61.4%) women of the Control-Group had a spontaneous vaginal delivery, 6(8.5%) had an instrumental vaginal delivery, and 21(30%) underwent a cesarean section.&#x0D; Conclusion: The patients who had consumed date fruit in later pregnancy had an improved Bishop score at the onset of labour, a shorter duration of labour, a lesser need for induction and augmentation of labour and more spontaneous vaginal deliveries.

Effect of Date Fruit Consumption on the Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective. Date fruit has been reported to have benefits in type 2 diabetes (T2D), though there is a concern, given the high sugar content, about its effects on glycemic control. Design and Setting. Prospective, interventional, randomized, parallel study. Participants. In total, 79 patients with T2D (39 male and 40 female). Intervention. Participants were randomly allocated to either 60 g date fruit or 60 g raisins daily of the equivalent glycemic index (amount split, given as midmorning and midafternoon snack) for 12 weeks. Main Outcome Measures. The primary outcome was to investigate the effect of date fruit on HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, and their variability, in patients with T2D in comparison to the same glycemic load of raisins. The secondary outcomes were to determine whether date fruit affected cardiovascular risk by measuring fasting lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), blood pressure, and insulin resistance (IR) as measured by Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR). Results. In total, 61 (27 female and 34 male) of 79 patients completed the study. There was no difference between or within groups for HbA1c or HbA1c variability, fasting glucose or glucose variability, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S), beta cell function (HOMA-B), the disposition index, lipids, systolic (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP), or C-reactive protein (CRP) (p > 0.05). Conclusion. No improvement in glycemic indices was seen following supplementation of 60 g daily date fruit or raisins, though neither had a deleterious effect on glycemic control over a 12-week period, indicating their safety when consumed in T2D. Additionally, no beneficial therapeutic effects of date fruit on other cardiovascular indices in T2D were seen.

The Effects of Date Fruit Consumption on Breast Milk Quantity and Nutritional Status of Infants.

Background: Date fruit is a popular natural galactagogue among breastfeeding Muslim mothers. However, there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of date fruit in increasing the quantity of breast milk. Objective: This research aimed to study the effect of date fruit consumption on breast milk quantity and nutritional status of infants. Materials and Methods: This was a parallel randomized controlled trial. Forty-eight pairs of breastfeeding mothers and infants aged 1-3 months were included. The intervention group (n = 25) was asked to consume their normal dietary intake with 10 date fruits/day for 4 weeks. The control group (n = 23) was asked to consume their normal dietary intake without date fruit. Breast milk quantity was measured by using an electric breast pump and recorded for 2 days at baseline, week 2 and 4. The nutritional status of infants was assessed by calculating infant weight-for-age at baseline and week 4. Dietary data were collected at baseline, week 2, and 4, using a 2-day food record. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, t-test Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test by SPSS version 18.0. Results: Breastfeeding mothers who received 10 date fruits/day had an 11% increase in breast milk quantity from baseline to week 2, and a 23% increase from baseline to week 4, (both p < 0.05). The breast milk quantity of the breastfeeding mothers who received date fruits was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences in infant nutritional status. Conclusions: Date fruit consumption appears to be useful for promoting and increasing breast milk quantity in breastfeeding mothers. Date fruits may be an alternative galactagogue.

The Effect Of Date Fruit Consumption On Hemoglobin Levels In Pregnant Women In Trimester III

Pregnancy is a period that is eagerly awaited because this period greatly determines the quality of human resources and the future of the fetus in the womb will greatly determine the development of the child in the future. Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of consumption of dates on hemoglobin levels in trimester III pregnant women at Kolaka Public Health Center, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province in 2020. Methodology: This study used a quasi experimental research design. The study population was all pregnant women in the third trimester who experienced anemia in October-December 2020, as many as 22 people at the Kolaka Health Center. Results: There was an effect of hemoglobin levels before and after giving dates in the treatment group (p = 0.000). There was an effect of hemoglobin levels after giving dates between the treatment group and the control group (p = 0.001). Conclusions:There is an effect of hemoglobin before and after giving dates in a group of pregnant women who are given dates and Fe tablets at the Kolaka Health Center, Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi in 2020. Suggestion: Increase the provision of health education about nutrition, especially anemia to pregnant women in the working area of Puskemas Kolaka and carry out routine Hb level checks in the first and third trimester of pregnancy.

Dietary pattern of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus including date consumption

AimAssess the relationship between date palm fruit consumption and diabetic control among Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Subjects and methodsSaudi patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 404, aged 55.3 ± 9.7 years) were included in this study. Height, weight and blood pressure were initially measured. Blood glucose levels (fasting and random), glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides were retrieved from the patient’s medical records. The amount and frequency of habitual consumption of date fruits were obtained from patients using a validated dietary questionnaire.ResultsThe results revealed that high consumption of date fruits was statistically significantly correlated with lower HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (p < 0.01).ConclusionThis cross-sectional study found an association between high date fruit consumption by patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and lower HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels. Further studies are required to verify this interesting finding

Effects of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on labor and delivery outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe rate of cesarean section is increasing in all over the world with different drafts in various countries. This growth increases unpleasant outcomes of delivery. Recent studies explained the benefits of date palm fruit on labor process improvement. Date fruit can be considered as a factor for increasing vaginal delivery and also reducing the frequency of caesarean section in order to prevent its great complications. This systematic review has been designed to review clinical studies that investigate the effects of date palm fruit on labor outcomes (duration of labor stages, bishop score, and frequency of cesarean section) compared with routine cares.MethodsThis study was performed in 2019. Required data has been collected from electronic databases and manual searches. All randomized clinical trials evaluating the effects of date palm fruit on labor and delivery that were published from January 2000 to August 2019 in English and Persian languages, were incorporated in this systematic review. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the risk of bias assessment of Cochrane handbook of systematic reviews, and were then reported using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.ResultsEight studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Meta-Analysis showed that date fruit consumption can significantly reduce active phase of labor (three trials with 380 participants; (MD = − 109.3, 95%CI (− 196.32, − 22.29; I2 = 89%), P = 0.01), and also it can significantly improve the bishop score (two trials with 320 participants; MD = 2.45, 95%CI (1.87, 3.04; I2 = 0%), P < 0.00001). Date fruit consumption had no effects on the duration of first, second, and third stages of labor, and the frequency of cesarean section.ConclusionDate can reduce the duration of active phase and improve the bishop score; however, due to from the low to mediate quality of the studies; it seems that the other studies are needed to prove these results better than this.

Study of Primordial 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K Concentrations in Dietary Palm Dates and Concomitant Radiological Risk.

The presence of natural radionuclides in the food chain point to a need to assess concentration levels and concomitant radiological risk. Highly popular and forming a staple part of the diet in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and West Asia, palm dates growing naturally there have even greater marketability than simple satisfaction of domestic demand, the palm dates representing a valuable export item. Accurate knowledge of the levels of natural radioactivity in the fruit is thus of importance. In this study, using high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry, quantification has been made of natural radionuclide concentrations in imported dates originating from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Sample analyses reveal respective mean activity concentrations of 1.4 ± 0.3, 0.8 ± 0.4, and 186 ± 9 Bq kg dry weight for Ra, Ra, and K. For each nuclide, the mean concentration varies little between the dates of the three represented regions. The estimated committed effective dose resulting from the consumption of date fruits for a typical adult was found to be 29.9 μSv y, well below the global internal dose of 290 μSv y assessed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation to be due to food and water intake. Similarly, the excess lifetime cancer risk due to naturally occurring radioactive material exposure via date fruit consumption is seen to be below the International Commission on Radiological Protection cancer risk factor of 2.5 × 10 based on the additional annual dose limit of 1 mSv for a member of the general public. The results show no significant uptake in the analyzed date fruits.

Changes in salivary pH following consumption of different varieties of date fruits.

ObjectiveConsumption of date fruits leads to chemical changes in saliva, including variations in pH values. We conducted this study to assess the effect of the consumption of different types of dates on salivary pH.MethodsWe recruited 15 children (aged 6–15 years) who were instructed to consume one piece of specific types of dates (Safree, Nabtat Seif, Khalas, Sukkari, and Segae) for 5 consecutive days. On the 6th and 7th days, the children consumed a quarter of a grapefruit (positive control) and chewed on a sterilised cotton pellet (negative control), respectively. Salivary samples from unstimulated kids were collected at least 1 h after breakfast every day and the salivary pH was recorded.ResultsWhen compared with the pH values before date consumption, the lowest mean salivary pH value among the date-consuming groups 5 min after salivary stimulation was noted after the consumption of Khalas (6.26), followed by those after consumption of Safree (6.31), Nabtat Seif (6.36), Segae (6.44), and Sukkari (6.45). The highest difference in mean values was observed for Khalas (.47), followed by those for Sukkari (.45), Nabtat Saif (.44), Segae (.38), and Safree (.35). The pH of saliva collected after grapefruit consumption was the lowest, whereas chewing cotton pellets led to an increased salivary pH.ConclusionThis study showed a decrease in the salivary pH following date consumption, but not to a value as low as the critical value. These findings suggest that dates do not have detrimental effects on salivary parameters.

Effect of Phytochemicals in Phoenix Dactylifera L. on Human Body Using LC-QTOF-MS

The presence of nutrients and phytochemicals including alkaloids, sterols, phenols and flavonoid in Phoenix dactylifera L. has been related to the health-benefits of date fruits consumption. Metabolomics study has been conducted to explore the human urine metabolome modifications after date fruits intake. After overnight fasting, urine samples were collected before the ingestion at 0h and every 4 hours after the consumption of date fruits at 4-24-h. Samples were analysed using LC-QTOF-MS, followed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results revealed the changes of urinary metabolome during the 24 h after date fruits intake. Some phytochemicals, including alkaloids, sterols, phenols and flavonoids were appeared and disappeared after date fruits intake. These findings confirm that metabolomics is an effective tool that can be practiced in order to further discover the metabolism of phytochemicals and its relation with human health.

Heavy metals in some date palm fruit cultivars in Saudi Arabia and their health risk assessment

ABSTRACT Date fruits have ample amount of beneficial minerals but owing to diverse causes may contract with heavy metals and contaminants during field, processing, or transportation posing health challenges to consumers. Hence, current research explored the toxic heavy metals (Al, As, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Sb) levels in seven date varieties (Sakay Mabroum, Sakay Normal, Rashadya Al-qaseem, Barny Al-Madina, Eklas Al-Hassa, Safawy Al-Madina, Kadary) collected from different locations of Saudi Arabia by applying inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Mean values of heavy metals were calculated and expressed. Most of the heavy metals with the exception of As, Pb, and Cd are within safe limit with respect to maximum allowable levels (MAL) in some date cultivars. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of heavy metals through dates consumption (100 gram/person/day) for As and Pb exceeded the Provisional maximum tolerable daily intake from some locations. Although Cd content was exceeding MAL; however, its EDI is well within safe limits of Provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. From EDI data, hazard risk index was also calculated, which predicted that both As and Pb can pose potential health hazards to dates consumers in Saudi Arabia. However, Pb contributed greater health risks due to date fruit consumption as compared to Arsenic.

Effects of date fruit consumption on labour and vaginal delivery in Tabuk, KSA.

ObjectivesThe date fruit has been shown to possess several health benefits. This study aims to determine the effects of date fruit consumption on the onset and progression of labour.MethodsA randomised controlled clinical study was conducted on 89 participants to assess the effects of date fruit consumption on the onset and progression of labour. Twenty-six participants consumed date fruits alone, and 32 consumed date fruits followed by drinking of water. Thirty-one served as controls.ResultsThere was a significant positive impact of consuming (rutab) date fruits on maternal outcomes in both the first and third stages of labour (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, there was a significant relationship with the foetal well-being factors, such as healthy liquor, foetal heart rate, presence of caput, and Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (APGAR) score at 5 min (p < 0.05). The other maternal and foetal well-being factors showed no significant relationship with consumption of date fruits during labour.ConclusionThe present study showed a promising effect of (rutab) date fruit consumption on the duration of the stages of labour. No significant differences were observed between the date fruit consumers and their counterparts regarding cervical dilatation; rupture of membranes; strength, frequency, and regularity of uterine contractions; tocometric reports; and maternal progression factors. Additionally, the APGAR score at 5 min was better among the infants whose mothers consumed date fruits.