Presented by the community nutritionist Eng. Nada Zuhair AlAdeeb

With the attendance of 67 experts in the Date Palm cultivation sector, representing 10 Arab countries.

Under the directives of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, the Award’s General Secretariat Organized a scientific virtual lecture on the “Nutritional Benefits of Dates”, presented by Eng. Nada Zuhair AlAdeeb, Manging Director of the Community Nutrition Department, Tawam Hospital, Seha Company, Secretary General of the Emirates Nutrition Society, on Sunday 04^th of April, 2021, with the attendance of 67 experts and specialists in the Date Palm cultivation sector, and representing 10 Arab countries. This lecture comes within the Award’s framework and its commitment to spread the scientific knowledge and awareness on the nutritional value of dates, especially with the approaching of the holy month of Ramadan, where dates are highly consumed.

From her side, Eng. Nada pointed out that dates have played an important role in the UAE’s cultural heritage as well as in many other countries in the Middle East, as it is one of the important fruits during the holy month of Ramadan, due to its varied nutritional value and high calorie content compared to most of the other fresh fruits. Most of the calories that dates contain, are from the carbohydrates, while the rest consist of a very small amount of protein. Dates also contain important vitamins and minerals along with a large amount of fibers. It is also high in antioxidants, vitamin K, calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium (Electrolyte that the body needs for a healthy heart).

Eng. Nada, then highlighted the fact that including dates in a diet is an important way to increase the fiber intake, as it contains approximately 7 g of fiber in each 100 g, and which is of great benefit to the digestive system’s health, as it prevents constipation, and promotes regular bowel movements. Eng. Nada, also referred to an Emirati research conducted in 2019: where it tested the total dietary fiber in 12 different date varieties, using the enzymatic and non-enzymatic method, where it was found that there are no statistically significant differences between the enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods in measuring the dietary fiber content of the 12 date varieties.

Dates help in a healthy bowel movement, as it was proven by a a study conducted to understand the effect of dates in preventing problems related to the intestine and colon such as colon cancer, where a group of 21 people were tested by eating 7 dates per day and it was observed that they had a regular bowel movement compared to the other group. The study also monitored the insoluble fibers present in dates, if it could interact positively with the intestine germs to reduce the chances of colon cancer. The results did not show any significant increase in interaction with germs.

Eng. Nada noted then presented the fact that dates can provide many antioxidants that reduces the risk of diseases. They protect cells from free radical damage (unstable molecules that may cause harmful reactions in the body and lead to diseases). Compared to similar types of fruits such as: figs and dried plums, where dates contain the highest percentage of antagonists. Dates also may be useful in controlling blood sugar, as they slow down the digestive process and may help prevent the blood sugar level from rising after eating. Dates also have a low glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly blood sugar rises after eating a certain food.

Eng. Nada then concluded the lecture by highlighting the great role played by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in supporting and developing the date palm cultivation sector and the date production worldwide, through the organizing of Jordan International Date Palm Festival, Sudan International Date Palm Festival, and Egypt International Date Palm Festival and the accompanying activities and events. Which actively contributed to the increase of the reputation of the Arab dates and the volume of exports, in addition to the series of international conferences organized by the Award’s General Secretariat for over twenty years.