A systematic review of the characteristics, phytonutritive, and therapeutic potential of the date palm fruit (Phoenix dactylifera )

Plants and their products are nature’s gift to humans and animals. They help them lead a healthy, disease free life. Date palm counts for more than 3000 different cultivars around the world. The therapeutic value of the date plant is due to the presence of various phytochemical and bioactive compounds in almost every part of it. In addition to being a good source of dietary fiber, dates are free from sodium, fat, and cholesterol, which makes them a suitable dietary supplement for reducing the risk of heart diseases and cancer. Traditional systems of medicine use dates to treat a variety of ailments due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and immunostimulant activities as revealed by preclinical studies. Owing to its nutritious and medicinal properties, the fruit of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) has been referred to as a “super food” multiple times in the Quran. Interestingly, date palms have been honored by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as a symbol of honesty and righteousness. This review provides an overview of the nutritional and phytochemical composition of the fruit of the P. dactylifera plant, summarizing the history, symbolism, systematic and botanical distribution, and outlines their potential for medical applications, and health benefits.