Date Fruit Effects in Type 2 Diabetes

Production and consumption of soy foods within Western countries have increased dramatically in the last decade with the postulated health benefits including improvement in bone health, relief of menopausal symptoms and reduced risk of certain types of cancers due to the soy phytoestrogens. In addition, habitual intake of soy phytoestrogens has also been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is of particular relevance given the increasing global prevalence of diabetes. This is a particular problem here in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where diabetes is considered as a serious and increasing health problem. According to the International Diabetes Federation the prevalence of diabetes in the MENA region is over 23.3%; however worldwide there is an epidemic increase in type 2 diabetes with the WHO report that approximately 415 million people have diabetes worldwide, and that by 2030, diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death.

Dried dates (Phoenix dactylifera) have the second highest phytoestrogen content of any fruit, only secondary to dried apricots with 329ug of phytoestrogens per 100g. The date palm is one of oldest planted trees on the earth at around 2,000 years old. Dates are nutritionally rich and a good source of fiber and carbohydrates and their potential medicinal and nutritional effects have been suggested in a number of studies. Date sugars have also been shown to be phenol rich, potent antioxidant, and strong inhibitor of α -glycosidase that may also have benefit in diabetes. In addition, dates are rich in micronutrients that may also have benefit for diabetes and insulin resistance. Dates have a glycemic index of 50 and studies have shown that the consumption of differing varieties of dates do not significantly affect the acute glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

There has not been a medium term study of the effect of date fruit in diabetes; therefore, this study will determine if the consumption Khalas dates (3 dates =30g undried dates) twice daily (phytoestrogen content 329ug/100g), in accord with that advised in the Holy Qur'an, will improve the glycemic control in men with type 2 diabetes, in comparison with the equivalent glycemic load of raisins (30g twice daily, phytoestrogen content of 9.6ug/100g). Each intervention will be taken as a snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Inclusion criteria

• The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes will be based on the WHO guidelines. An HbA1C of 6.5% or greater, or 2 fasting plasma glucose readings of >7.0mmoll-1 or 2 random plasma glucose readings >11mmoll-1 in the absence of symptoms or concurrent illness or medication which might lead to hyperglycaemia (e.g. thiazide diuretics). Or one reading meets the diagnostic level with the presence of symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, nocturia, fatigue or blurring of vision. The final diagnostic method of diagnosis type 2 diabetes is a positive oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) using a 75g glucose load. If doubt exists on the diagnosis of diabetes an OGTT will be performed.
• Patients will be on stable medication for their diabetes, hypertension, lipids and gout (if appropriate) for 3 months prior to entry into the study.
• HbA1c 7.5 - 10%
• Patients between the ages of 45-75 years at the start of the study.
• Capable to give informed consent and complete the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with concurrent illness or any medication in the last 3 months.
• Patients who are taking hormone replacement therapy.
• Patients who are currently or have taken antibiotics in the last 3 months.
• Currently enrolled in other clinical trials.
• Hba1c at recruiting stage of more than 10%.
• Patients with a BMI less than 20 and more than 40.
• Patients with known food allergies.
• Patients on insulin.
• Patients who are eating dates or raisins should be washed out for 4 weeks.
• Pregnant or nursing, or plans to become pregnant in the next 3 months, or not using adequate contraceptive measures.