Many of the foods that form the basis of our food culture contain gluten. Therefore, individuals who avoid consuming gluten for various reasons may have difficulty in providing nutritional diversity. It is often wondered whether dates, which are indispensable for snacks and dessert recipes, contain gluten. Let’s see, is date an ideal alternative for those on a gluten diet?
Date, which has been grown in North Africa and the Middle East for at least 5 thousand years, is the oldest known fruit of these geographies. As a natural consequence of this, dates find a place on our tables in many different ways. For this reason, the number of people researching whether dates contain gluten is quite high.
A delicious tradition on Ramadan tables, a practical snack during the day or a savior for desserts that do not contain refined sugar! One should not even forget palm oil and palm flour. So, is there gluten in dates, which leave their mark on the palate with their taste and in our food culture with their deep-rooted history? Let’s find out!
What Vitamins and Minerals Are Found in Dates?
Publication organ of the Turkish Dietetic Association Journal of Nutrition and Dieteticspublished in Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Date (Phoenix dactylifera) named to the article According to the study, dates offer a very rich content in terms of vitamins and minerals. The minerals found in dates are listed as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, boron, fluorine, copper, selenium and zinc. In addition, it is known that the mineral content of dates may vary depending on the type of soil in which they grow.
According to the information provided in the same article, dates contain thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin A. The water-soluble vitamins found in the structure of dates may vary depending on the maturity stage and type of date.
What are the effects of dates?
“” on Healthline, an expert-approved global health platform.8 Proven Health Benefits of Dates” named to the article According to the study, the effects of dates are listed as follows:
- It is reported that dates have a much higher antioxidant content than other dried fruits. According to research, the antioxidants contained in dates can help maintain the ideal functions of the cardiovascular system.
- It is stated that dates provide many benefits due to their rich fiber structure. It is stated that adding dates to the daily diet can provide support in regulating bowel movements.
- It is reported that various studies have been conducted on the potential of dates to contribute to maintaining ideal brain functions. However, the same article also details the need for more research on this subject.
Is There Gluten in Dates?
Başkent University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition in Celiac Disease named in his research It is reported that dates and similar fruits or dried fruits can all be consumed on a gluten diet. So, dates do not contain gluten. However, it is stated that foods such as dried dates can be coated with oat flour to prevent them from sticking. In this case, there may be a risk of cross contamination. For this reason, before consuming foods such as dried dates, the label details of the products should be carefully examined.
Is Gluten Contained in Date Kernel?
Foods You Can Eat on a Gluten-Free Diet published on Healthline named to the article according to, There is no gluten in the fruit or seed of the date.. According to the details in the same article, it is stated that palm oil derivatives and palm flour varieties prepared from palm kernel can also be consumed on a gluten-free diet. However, it is still useful to examine the label details of the products.
| According to the article titled Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) published in the Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, date seeds make up 6 to 15 percent of the weight of the date fruit. However, date seed is considered an important source of antioxidants due to its total phenolic, flavonoid, catechin and epicatechin content. It is also reported that the phenol content of palm kernel oil is higher than olive oil. |
Can Dates Be Used Instead of Sugar in Gluten-Free Recipes?
It is very common to use dates instead of sugar in gluten-free recipes. Published on Healthline 8 Foods to Avoid with a Gluten Intolerance (and 7 to Eat) named to the article According to research, most of the snacks and desserts sold today contain gluten. For this reason, people on a gluten diet are looking for different recipes. Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Date (Phoenix dactylifera) According to the research, dates are among the foods recommended for consumption, thanks to their fibrous structure and rich content. It is also frequently used in gluten-free recipes.
Published in Mersin University Health Sciences Journal Sugar Addiction: Real or Imaginary? named researchshows that reducing refined sugar consumption is important in encouraging healthy eating behavior. In this context, those who do not want to consume refined sugar can use dates to add flavor to many different recipes.
What Gluten-Free Recipes Can Be Made with Dates?
Recipes that can be prepared with dates, especially fit gluten-free recipes, are in great demand. The main flavors that stand out among date recipes are as follows:
- Date Balls: In this recipe, the seeds of the dates are removed and optionally, different flavors such as walnuts and hazelnuts are added and processed in a robot until it reaches a homogeneous consistency. The contents of date balls may vary according to personal wishes.
- Date Pudding: This recipe is made by softening dried dates by boiling them with milk and turning them into puree using a blender.
- Date Bar: Date bar, which is very popular among gluten-free recipes with dates, is prepared with a mixture of nuts such as tahini, walnuts, hazelnuts and date puree.
| It will add variety and taste to your diet gluten free recipes If you’re having trouble finding it, you’re exactly where you need to be. By visiting the link, you can learn many gluten-free recipes that will add flavor to your tables! |
*The explanations on this page do not constitute health advice or warning and are for informational purposes only. You should definitely consult your dietician about the foods you want to add to your daily diet. MD, Prof. Sea South Duman Approved by.
Resources:
- “Nutrition in Celiac Disease”, Başkent University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2017, (online)
- Jillian Kubala, “8 Foods to Avoid with a Gluten Intolerance (and 7 to Eat)”, Healthline, 2023, (online)
- Amy Richter, “8 Proven Health Benefits of Dates”, Healthline2022, (online)
- Brianna Elliot, “Foods You Can Eat on a Gluten-Free Diet?” Healthline2022, (online)
- Serkan Aslan, Nevin Şanlıer, “Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Date (Phoenix dactylifera)?”, NUTRITION AND DIET JOURNAL2018, (online)
