Evaluation of the nutritional and medicinal value of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from the perspective of medical science and traditional-Islamic medicine

Background and purpose: Dates are one of the oldest medicinal foods that contain natural sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose), vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and high antioxidants. There is a wide range of secondary metabolites in dates including anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acid, procyanidin, and sterols. These bioactive compounds have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and liver protection properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the medicinal-nutritional value of dates in modern medicine and traditional-Iranian-Islamic medicine. Materials and Methods: In this review study, selected texts of traditional Islamic medicine and all articles registered in reputable scientific databases (Quran, Makhzan-Al-Advieh, Google Scholar, PubMed, Ovid, Magiran) taking into account specialized keywords and General from 2010 to 2021 in the field of human clinical trials and common diseases (women, cardiovascular, inflammation-gastrointestinal and brain) in modern and traditional-Iranian-Islamic medicine was researched. Results: Due to the antioxidant properties (flavonoid and polyphenolic) of dates, to maintain cardiovascular health, fertility, inflammation, digestion, and brain health in both modern medicine and traditional Iranian medicine (traditional medicine, general, Greek, Roman, Iranian, Chinese and Indian for weakness, memory instability, fever, pain, nervous disorders, disbelief in men and women, pertussis, sedative, bladder pain, expectorant, laxative, and diuretic) - Islamic (also mentioned in Surah Maryam, this fruit strengthens The muscles of the cervix contract in the last months of pregnancy (it also lowers blood pressure in pregnant women for a short time, which reduces the amount of bleeding during childbirth). Conclusion: The results of this review indicate the importance of the medicinal and nutritional value of dates in improving the body's metabolic activities, especially heart function, fertility, digestion, and heart.