Phoenix Dactylifera (Dates) as a Non-pharmaceutical Traditional Food for Expectant and Lactating Mothers: Implications for Reproductive Health

Date palm is known to be the oldest plant in the world. Both fruit and seeds are packed with powerful nutritious and therapeutic properties. Important in Muslim community due to mentioned in Quran and Hadith for its therapeutic and healing properties in reproductive age, which proved by Modern scientific studies for both fetus, infant, and mother. Play crucial role to increased energy stores for delivery, high content of potassium act as a vasodilator and presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and reduce risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia, promote breastmilk production during lactation. Rich bioactive profile acts as an antioxidant and suppresses oxidative damage and boosts up fertility as well as enhance immune response by increasing count of WBC and Nk cell. In short dates fruit might be considered one of the complete nutritional foods to fulfil the requirements of reproductive health. This review highlighted pharmacological and nutraceutical properties of dates fruit and its potential use as a non-pharmacological traditional medicine in reducing pregnancy, lactation, and infertility consequences.