Nutritive Values and Health Aspects of the Date Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera)

The date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) is known since the ancient times and used in the construction of buildings, as a nutrient and also as a traditional remedy. Besides its economic value, the nutritive values and health aspects of this fruit should be known by health professionals A literature search was done in order to investigate the nutritive values and its implications to human health. Published literature in PubMed and also printed books were reviewed for this purpose. Especially raw date fruit is superior to many other fruits by its nutritive value. Its value in medicine is not just because of its relatively low glycemic index and high fiber content, there are clinical trials demonstrating its antioxidant features and usefulness to decrease postpartum bleeding. There are also reports of injuries caused by the date horn. It is concluded that the date fruit is a valuable and healthy nutrient. Its benefits as a traditional folkloric remedy need to be proven by appropriate studies.