Have you ever looked closely at the seed of a date? In the Quran, Allah mentions the various parts of this seed – the ‘qiṭmīr’, the ‘fatīl’ and the ‘naqīr’ – to illustrate its most energetic areas. The next time you break the Ramadan fast by eating dates, don't hastily throw away the pit. Look at it carefully, remember the surahs that mention it, and the small seed held between your fingers will help you have a sense of tranquility and devotion that can only arise after reflecting on the verses of the Quran.
This mystical advice, with which Muslim practitioners are instructed to meditate on the humble seed (or “stone”, colloquially speaking) of the date, makes us notice the intrinsic value of so much food waste that we discard daily without considering its potential nutritional and therapeutic value.
Taking advantage of and transforming them properly would not only contribute to environmental sustainability, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, but could also generate substantial income for farmers and agri-food companies.
We know that many food by-products contain valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds that can be recovered for use in animal or even human food. And this is precisely the case of date palm seed, an exceptional resource in terms of its potential applications.
In their area of origin, these seeds have been used as fodder to feed farm animals (camels, horses, sheep and goats). To do this, they are immersed in water before being used.
They have also found many uses for them as raw materials. Together with other parts of the date palm, they constitute an appreciated household fuel, and combined with corn by-products, they are used in North Africa to make insulating boards. Its greenish-yellow oil is used to make soaps and cosmetic products.
And if that were not enough, after being dried, roasted and ground, the resulting powder is used to make a product similar to coffee, but caffeine-free and very aromatic.
Aside from these traditional uses, these seeds have emerged as a valuable source of nutrients that could provide significant benefits to human health. Although consumed to a lesser extent than pulp, they are an excellent source of energy due to their significant content of “good” fats, proteins and complex carbohydrates.
Let's go by parts. Firstly, its fat – although it constitutes a small proportion of the total weight – is healthy in nature. The most abundant fatty acids contained in date seeds belong to the short chain group (they provide quick energy), although they also contain other long chain acids: oleic acids (omega-9) and linoleic acids (omega-6). Both are known for their benefits for cardiovascular health and their contribution to lipid balance.
Secondly, date palm seeds contain around 9-10% protein. These include a wide variety of essential amino acids, compounds essential for the renewal and proper maintenance of all body structures.
Its optimal nutritional value is also based on its dietary fiber content, whose intake helps keep diseases such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, coronary heart disease and obesity at bay. There is, additionally, clear evidence that its dietary fiber could have important therapeutic use against prostate and testicular cancers.
Lastly, date pits are a significant source of essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and calcium. These nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining bone health and muscle function, as well as regulating blood pressure.
But, in addition to the basic nutrients, these seeds contain bioactive compounds, the intake of which brings abundant benefits. Among them, phenolic compounds stand out, with high antioxidant potential. Consuming them can help combat oxidative stress in the body and thus reduce the risk of chronic diseases derived from inflammatory processes, such as hypertension, cancer or cardiovascular and neurodegenerative ailments.
On the other hand, there is a wide range of bioactivities inherent to treated seeds. Both its antioxidant activity – scavenger of free radicals – and antibacterial activity are notable, as demonstrated after analyzing eleven varieties of date palm.
And, recently, it has been discovered that the aforementioned date seed infusion, rich in flavonoids, exerts a greater anti-Alzheimer effect than coffee. This drink would reduce the production of Aβ proteins, which is the main component of amyloid plaques, the extracellular deposits found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. It is recommended to do more detailed studies to find out if consuming it regularly can delay the progression of this disease in vulnerable people or in the early stages of the disease.
In short, when you eat dates, before absentmindedly throwing the seeds into the trash can, hold one of them for a few seconds between your fingers and meditate on the nutritional and healthy potential that we waste daily in the form of food waste.
This article was originally published on The Conversation website. You can access it through this link.
