Dates grow on a fruit tree called date, date palm or Phoenix dactylifera. It is native to North Africa and West Asia and is part of the Arecaceae family. There are 300 different varieties.
Dates are fleshy, oblong fruits rich in fiber which have many beneficial effects on health. They contain carotenoids, phytosterols, polyphenols, sugars and minerals (potassium, magnesium, selenium). They are very rich in soluble and insoluble fiber (VAYALIL, 2011)
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The consumption of dates helps stimulate intestinal transit (LAVALLEE COTE & al., 2000 ; FARSI & LEE, 2008).
In rats, dates administered at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg induce a dose-dependent acceleration of gastrointestinal transit (8 and 18%, respectively). Date pulp is much richer in potassium, magnesium and sucrose and stimulates transit more effectively than date palm sap (SOULI & al., 2014).
Administration of flavonoid compounds isolated from date epicarp improves biochemical parameters in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. This leads to a decrease in blood sugar, liver enzymes, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as an increase in the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the liver (MICHAEL & al., 2013).
In addition, date extracts decrease water consumption and increase plasma insulin levels in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes (MARD & al., 2010).
Dates are among the dried fruits with the highest level of polyphenols, which explains their strong antioxidant capacity (RAHMANI & al., 2014).
They scavenge free radicals and inhibit lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (VAYALIL, 2011).
Their antioxidant activity is considered to be the highest in the plant world after hawthorn (FARSI & al., 2005 ; AL-ALAWI & al., 2017).
Date extracts play an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting the COX-1 and COX-2 cyclooxygenase enzymes (ZHANG & al., 2013).
Date pollen reduces the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α. It has anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities in rats with prostatic hyperplasia (ELBERRY & al., 2011).
In rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis, date extracts decrease paw swelling and plasma fibrinogen levels, increase body weight gain and feed efficiency, and normalize plasma antioxidant levels (MOHAMED & al., 2004).
Dates possess beneficial antihypertensive effects for cardiovascular function, in particular via an inhibitory activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme (BRAGA & al., 2007).
They have a hypocholesterolemic effect: they reduce the plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (ALSAIF & al., 2007 ; MICHAEL & al., 2013). Therefore, they play a beneficial role as high cholesterol is known to be a risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease.
They also show cardioprotective effects, in particular linked to their antioxidant capacity (AL-ALAWI & al., 2017).
The glucans contained in dates show a dose-dependent antitumor activity against the ascites tumor sarcoma-180 in mice (ISHURD & al., 2004 ; 2005).
Phoenix dactylifera leaf and pit extracts inhibit the growth of several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia Coli (AMMAR & al., 2009).
