Nutritional composition of dates

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This chapter offers a thorough examination of the composition of dates,... Chemical and Nutritional Composition of Dates. The date fruit ( Phoenix dactylifera ), which is essential to diet and economy in dry areas, has an exceptional nutritional and chemical makeup that supports its importance on a global scale.

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This chapter offers a thorough examination of the composition of dates, highlighting their practical and health-promoting qualities. Dates are a great natural energy source because they are mostly carbohydrates (71.2–81.4% dry weight), mostly fructose and glucose. Dates provide a varied profile of essential and non-proteinogenic amino acids, despite having a moderate protein concentration (1–7%). It has a low-fat content (0.1–2% meat) and is made up of healthy fatty acids. In addition to provitamin A (beta-carotene) and vitamin C, dates are a great source of B vitamins and important minerals (especially potassium, magnesium, and calcium). Importantly, dates contain strong bioactive substances that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other medicinal properties. These include carotenoids (like lutein and β-carotene), flavonoids (such as apigenin and rutin derivatives), and phenolic acids (like gallic and ferulic acids). Dietary fiber, which is mostly insoluble and ranges greatly (1.9–0.25%), promotes metabolic processes and gut health. The chapter also discusses how date by-products might be valued as commercial ingredients for nutraceuticals and functional foods, such as seed flour, oil, and syrup. Together, dates’ distinct chemical composition makes them a nutrient-dense, multipurpose food that is essential for promoting health and sustainable food systems. This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access. Access this chapter. Subscribe and save. from €37.37 /Month. Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals Cancel anytime. Buy Now. Price includes VAT (Ukraine) eBook EUR 117.69 Price includes VAT (Ukraine) Hardcover Book EUR 139.99 Price excludes VAT (Ukraine) Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout. Purchases are for personal use only. Similar content being viewed by others. Analysis of Antioxidants and Nutritional Assessment of Date Palm Fruits. Chapter © 2019. Nutrition Biology: A New Paradigm for Human Health. Chapter © 2025. Date Palm as a Healthy Food. Chapter © 2019. Explore related subjects. Calcium Carbohydrate Chemistry Carbohydrates Fatty acids Polyhydroxyalkanoates Proteins. References. Abdul-Hamid, A., & Luan, Y. S. (2000). Functional properties of dietary fibre prepared from defatted rice bran. Food Chemistry, 68 (1). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(99)00145-4 Alahyane, A., et al. (2019). Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of seventeen Moroccan date varieties and clones (Phoenix dactylifera L.). South African Journal of Botany, 121 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2018.12.004 Al-Alawi, R., et al. (2017). Date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.): Natural products and therapeutic options. Frontiers in Plant Science . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00845 Alasalvar, C., & Shahidi, F. (2013). 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Nutritional composition of dates

Dates nutrient composition