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Sayas-Barberá E, Paredes C, Salgado-Ramos M, Pallarés N, Ferrer E, Navarro-Rodríguez de Vera C, Pérez-Álvarez JÁ. Approaches to Enhance Sugar Content in Foods: Is the Date Palm Fruit a Natural Alternative to Sweeteners? Foods 2023; 13:129. [PMID: 38201157 PMCID: PMC10778573 DOI: 10.3390/foods13010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The current levels of added sugars in processed foods impact dental health and contribute to a range of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This review presents sugars and sweeteners used in food processing, the current possibility to replace added sugars, and highlights the benefits of using dates as a new natural, nutritious and healthy alternative to synthetic and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the context of environmental sustainability, palm groves afford a propitious habitat for a diverse array of animal species and assume a pivotal social role by contributing to the provisioning of sustenance and livelihoods for local communities. The available literature shows the date as an alternative to added sugars due to its composition in macro and micronutrients, especially in bioactive components (fiber, polyphenols and minerals). Therefore, dates are presented as a health promoter and a preventative for certain diseases with the consequent added value. The use of damaged or unmarketable dates, due to its limited shelf life, can reduce losses and improve the sustainability of date palm cultivation. This review shows the potential use dates, date by-products and second quality dates as sugar substitutes in the production of sweet and healthier foods, in line with broader sustainability objectives and circular economy principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estrella Sayas-Barberá
- Instituto de Investigación en Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, EPS-Orihuela, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain; (E.S.-B.); (C.P.); (J.Á.P.-Á.)
| | - Concepción Paredes
- Instituto de Investigación en Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, EPS-Orihuela, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain; (E.S.-B.); (C.P.); (J.Á.P.-Á.)
| | - Manuel Salgado-Ramos
- Nutrition and Food Science Area, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain; (M.S.-R.); (N.P.); (E.F.)
| | - Noelia Pallarés
- Nutrition and Food Science Area, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain; (M.S.-R.); (N.P.); (E.F.)
| | - Emilia Ferrer
- Nutrition and Food Science Area, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain; (M.S.-R.); (N.P.); (E.F.)
| | - Casilda Navarro-Rodríguez de Vera
- Instituto de Investigación en Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, EPS-Orihuela, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain; (E.S.-B.); (C.P.); (J.Á.P.-Á.)
| | - José Ángel Pérez-Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigación en Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, EPS-Orihuela, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Orihuela, Alicante, Spain; (E.S.-B.); (C.P.); (J.Á.P.-Á.)
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