Investigating Majhool date (Phoenix dactylifera) consumption effects on fasting blood glucose in animals and humans

Abstract

Objectives Majhool date (Phoenix dactylifera), renowned for its premium taste and texture, is extensively consumed in the Islamic world, particularly during Ramadan. Despite its popularity, concerns persist regarding its potential to induce diabetes in non-patients. This study aims to explore the diabetogenic effects of prolonged Majhool date (Phoenix dactylifera) consumption, the widely used fruit in the Islamic world, through animal experiments and human clinical data. Methods Medjool dates were processed into an ethanolic extract for the animal experiment. Then, 21 Balb/c mice received varying doses of the extract for one month. The fasting blood glucose levels were analyzed at the beginning and after one month of consumption of the Majhool date extract. For the clinical study, 387 healthy participants were recruited, with fasting blood glucose levels assessed before and after Ramadan, a period of heightened Majhool date consumption. Results all groups of the experimental animals exhibited a significant (p<0.05) weight increase after Majhool date consumption, while no significant (p>0.05) alteration in fasting blood glucose levels among groups. In addition, it was found that fasting blood glucose levels remained statistically unchanged (p>0.05) after heightened Majhool date consumption among humans. Conclusions The study challenges the belief that Majhool date induces diabetes, supported by both animal and human data. Findings suggest that Majhool date consumption, even at higher doses, does not induce diabetes. Further investigations could explore the impact of other date varieties on the fasting blood glucose levels.