Published online Jun 15, 2024. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i6.1079
Revised: March 3, 2024
Accepted: April 3, 2024
Published online: June 15, 2024
Processing time: 171 Days and 23.6 Hours
Poor fruit and vegetable consumption is one of the 10 major risk factors for mortality. There is a misconception regarding the consumption of dates among patients with diabetes. This manuscript assessed the effects of date consumption on fasting and postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, and microbial markers. Four literature databases were searched for relevant articles. Of the 595 studies retrieved, 24 assessed the effects of dates on glycemic control and lipids. Overall, the evidence suggests that dates have a lowering effect on blood glucose. Dates reduce total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein levels. Dates also promote the abundance of beneficial gut microbiota. Therefore, patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia can consume dates to reduce their blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Core Tip: Literature on date consumption among patients with diabetes is scarce and limited. This article highlights the benefits and possible hazards of date consumption in this patient population. Additionally, a discussion on microbial contamination in dates and the beneficial fungi that might produce antibiotics is provided. Finally, the article suggests future research to investigate the role of microbes in pharmacotherapy of certain diseases.