Date palm – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 8 min read

Patient Tools

Read, save, and share this guide

Use these quick tools to make this medical article easier to read, print, save, or share with a family member.

Article Summary

Date palm has reclining and slender brown trunks and dense crowns of stiff but feathery leaf fronds. Bases of old fronds are medium brown which remains on trunk that forms a showy trunk. The specimen of Senegal date palm reaches 35 feet high having 12 to 20 foot spread and creates a striking tree casting a light shade. It thrives in full sun environments and is...

Key Takeaways

This article explains Senegal Date Palm Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Nutritional value of Dates, medjool in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Reading text size

Definition

Date palm has reclining and slender brown trunks and dense crowns of stiff but feathery leaf fronds. Bases of old fronds are medium brown which remains on trunk that forms a showy trunk. The specimen of Senegal date palm reaches 35 feet high having 12 to 20 foot spread and creates a striking tree casting a light shade. It thrives in full sun environments and is a good choice for seaside planting. Senegal Date Palm is a fast grower having proper fertilizer and needs low to moderate water when established.

Name	Peach Palm
Scientific Name	Phoenix reclinata
Native	A native of tropical and southern Africa – Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritania,Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Niger, Sierra Leone, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Common/English Name	Coffee Palm, False Date Palm, Dwarf Date-Palm, Feather Palm, Mukindu Palm, Swamp Date-Palm, Senegal Date Palm, Wild Date Palm, Striking palm
Name in Other Languages	Arabic: Wakhale; Botswana: Kanchindu, Lunchindu; Chinese: Fei Zhou Hai Zao; Democratic Republic of Congo: Kanchindu, Lunchindu, Chisonga; Eritea: Aguseana; Ethiopia: Zembaba, Selen, Aguseana; French: Dattier De Marais, Dattier Sauvage, Dattier Du Sénégal, Dattier Nain Du Sénégal; German: Senegaldattelpalme; Ghana: Mia Drum (Ga), Atahe (Wine); Guinea: A-Ngóm (Leaf), Yabà (Cabbage) (Basari); Guinea-Bissau: Tara; Kenya: Gonyoorriya (Boni), Meti (Digo), Mkindu (Swahili), Gedo (Ilwana), Sosiyot (Kipsigis), Makindu (Kikuyu), Othith (Luo), Ol-Tukai (Maasai), Itikindu (Sanya), Konchor (Orma), Alol (Somali), Kigangatehi (Taita), Mhongana (Taveta), Nakadoki (Turkana), Mangatche (Kilimanjaro District); Madagascar: Dara, Taratra, Taratsy (Malagasy), Calalou (Morondava); Malawi: Kanchinda (Nyanja); Mozambique: Kanchinda (Nyanja); Namibia: Mukapakapa, Chisonga, Nzalu (Lozi); Nigeria: Kajinjiri, Dabino Biri, Kabba (Hausa), Deli (Fulani); Nyanja: Kanchinda Portuguese: Palmeira-Da-Tara; Rwanda: Umukindo; Senegal: Serké (Balanta), Inib, I-Nib, Iñib, I-Ńib (Basari), Gi-Nyəamèl (Bedik), Tãmbra (Crioulo), Diidioka, Fudak, Fu Duka, Fuduka, Hu Diak, Gi Duka, Hudiak (Diola), Tionkom (The Wine), Tonkom (Wolof); Sierra Leone: Shaka-Le (Sherbro), Kundi (Mende); Somalia: Alol (Somali); South Africa: Datelboom, Wildedadelboom, Kaffer Kofie, Wildedadelpalm (Afrikaans), Makerewa, Shikerewa (Diriko), Kanchinda (Nyanja), Dikindu, Makindu (Mbukushu), Isundu (Zulu); Tanzania: Kanchindu, Lunchindu (Bemba), Taratra, Daro, Mkindwi (Swahili), Luchingu (Fipa), Kihangaga (Urukindu); Uganda: Otit (Acholi), Musansa (Busoga), Emusogot (Ateso), Tit (Jonam), Ekingol (Karamojong), Itchi (Madi), Tit (Lango), Wild Date Palm, Enkinu (Luamba), Mukindu, Lukindu, Musansa (Luganda), Makendu (Lugisu), Muyiti (Lugwe), Lukindu, Mukindu (Lunyoro), Kikindu (Lunyuli), Otit, Tit (Luo), L Lusansa (Lusoga), ukindu, Mukindu (Lutoro), Itchi (Madi); Zambia: Kanchindu, Lunchindu (Bemba), Mukapakapa, Chisonga, Nzalu (Lozi), Kanchinda (Nyanja); Zimbabwe: Kanchinda (Nyanja)
Plant Growth Habit	Dense, clumping, dioecious
Plant Size	10 meters tall
Bark	Smooth, black
Stem	Erect or oblique, 8–10 m high
Leaf	Pinnate, arcuate, feather shaped, 2.5–4.5 m long
Flower	White
Fruit shape & size	Ovoid-ellipsoid or almost obovoid, 13–20 × 7–13 mm
Fruit color	Green ripening yellow to bright orange
Seed	Obovoid, 12–14 by 5–6 mm

Senegal Date Palm Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Phoenix reclinata Jacq.

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae (Green plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (Land plants)
Superdivision	Embryophyta
Division	Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Arecales
Family	Arecaceae
Genus	Phoenix L. (Date palm)
Species	Phoenix reclinata Jacq. (Senegal date palm, reclining date palm)
Synonyms	Fulchironia senegalensis Lesch. Phoenix abyssinica Drude Phoenix baoulensis A. Chev. Phoenix comorensis Becc. Phoenix djalonensis A. Chev. Phoenix dybowskii A. Chev. Phoenix equinoxialis Bojer Phoenix leonensis Lodd. ex Kunth Phoenix reclinata var. comorensis (Becc.) Jum. & H. Perrier Phoenix reclinata var. madagascariensis Becc. Phoenix reclinata var. somalensis Becc. Phoenix spinosa Schumach. & Thonn

Phoenix reclinata is a dense, clumping and dioecious palm having erect or oblique stems usually 8-10 meters high having trunk diameter 15-25 cm. The bark is smooth and black ringed by distinct leaf scars and has a dense mass of roots that arises from the lower part. The crown has 15 to 30 dark green to yellow-green pinnate leaves. Leaf-sheath is fibrous and reddish-brown. Leaves are arcuate, pinnate about 2.5-4.5 meters long and leaflets are sessile and regularly arranged distally in one plane of orientation. Leaflets are dark green, glossy, long, and narrow having minutely crenulate margins. Inflorescences are branched and axillary. Staminate flowers are creamy-white. Fruit is ovoid-ellipsoid or obovoid and green that ripens yellow to bright orange about 13–20 × 7–13 mm. Seed is obovoid and 12–14 by 5–6 mm.

Leaves

Leaves are pinnate, induplicate measuring 5 meters long having arching rachis that ends in a single leaflet. Leaflets are glossy, narrow, and dark green arranged in multiple planes but in a single plane near the tip.

Flowers and fruit

The inflorescence is orange colored upto 1 meter long and is branched to one order. Staminate is cream colored and pistillate flowers form on different plants. Fruits are ovoid, reddish-brown to scarlet, and about 1-2.5 cm long.

Nutritional value of Dates, medjool

Serving Size: 1 date, pitted, 24 g

Calories 66 Kcal. Calories from Fat 0.36 Kcal.

Proximity	Amount	% DV
Water	5.12 g	N/D
Energy	66 Kcal	N/D
Energy	278 kJ	N/D
Protein	0.43 g	0.86%
Total Fat (lipid)	0.04 g	0.11%
Ash	0.42 g	N/D
Carbohydrate	17.99 g	13.84%
Total dietary Fiber	1.6 g	4.21%
Total Sugars	15.95 g	N/D
Sucrose	0.13 g	N/D
Glucose (dextrose)	8.08 g	N/D
Fructose	7.67 g	N/D
Maltose	0.07 g	N/D

Minerals	Amount	% DV
Calcium, Ca	15 mg	1.50%
Iron, Fe	0.22 mg	2.75%
Magnesium, Mg	13 mg	3.10%
Phosphorus, P	15 mg	2.14%
Potassium, K	167 mg	3.55%
Zinc, Zn	0.11 mg	1.00%
Copper, Cu	0.087 mg	9.67%
Manganese, Mn	0.071 mg	3.09%

Vitamins	Amount	% DV
Water-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)	0.012 mg	1.00%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.014 mg	1.08%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	0.386 mg	2.41%
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)	0.193 mg	3.86%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)	0.06 mg	4.62%
Vitamin B9 (Folate)	4 µg	1.00%
Folate, food	4 µg	N/D
Folate, DEF	4 µg	N/D
Choline	2.4 mg	0.44%
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Vitamin A, RAE	2 µg	0.29%
Vitamin A, IU	36 IU	N/D
Beta Carotene	21 µg	N/D
Betaine	0.1 mg	N/D
Lutein + zeaxanthin	6 µg	N/D
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	0.6 µg	0.50%

Amino acids	Amount	% DV
Tryptophan	0.002 g	0.45%
Threonine	0.01 g	0.57%
Isoleucine	0.011 g	0.66%
Leucine	0.02 g	0.54%
Lysine	0.013 g	0.39%
Methionine	0.004 g	N/D
Cystine	0.011 g	N/D
Phenylalanine	0.012 g	N/D
Tyrosine	0.004 g	N/D
Valine	0.016 g	0.76%
Arginine	0.014 g	N/D
Histidine	0.007 g	0.57%
Alanine	0.019 g	N/D
Aspartic acid	0.053 g	N/D
Glutamic acid	0.064 g	N/D
Glycine	0.022 g	N/D
Proline	0.027 g	N/D
Serine	0.015 g	N/D

*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/

Culinary uses

Roasted seeds are used as a substitute for coffee.
Palm wine is relished by people in Natal, Maputaland, and South Africa.
Flower buds are consumed raw or cooked as vegetables.
Palm cabbage is consumed as a vegetable.
Dried seeds are grounded into flour.

Other facts

Use the fibers of young and unexpanded leaves for making rope, mats, string, and baskets.
Fibers from the crushed stem are used to manufacture brooms and scrubbing brushes.
Use the mature leaves to make baskets or roofing material.
Also, the stems can be used for the construction of livestock enclosures, walls, bridges, houses, and fencing.
The dye can be extracted from leaves.
Tannins and gums are extracted from roots.
Young leaves are bright green and older leaves are deep green.
It propagates by seeds or division of suckers.
It is a perennial plant with having a lifespan of more than 2 years.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider

Tests to discuss with doctor

Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first

If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story

Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician

A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests

Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse

If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

Read, save, and share this guide

Article Summary

Key Takeaways