Coffee is not recommended by Dr. Sebi’s Nutritional Guide because it is a hybrid, acidic, addictive and is not health promoting.
Date (Phoenix dactylifera) coffee, also referred to as date seed coffee or date seed tea, is a beverage crafted from roasted date seeds. It serves as a popular substitute for conventional coffee among individuals seeking caffeine-free alternatives or those interested in exploring new flavors.
Here is a fundamental method for preparing date coffee:
Date Coffee Recipe
Ingredients:
- Date seeds (obtainable from fresh dates or stores)
- Spring water
- Optional: sweeteners such as 100% agave syrup or date sugar, and coconut milk
Instructions:
- Extract date seeds from fresh dates, ensuring thorough washing to eliminate any remaining flesh or debris.
- Preheat the oven to approximately 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the cleaned date seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast the date seeds in the oven for roughly 15-20 minutes until they achieve a dark brown color, monitoring closely to prevent burning.
- Allow the roasted date seeds to cool for a few minutes.
- Grind the roasted date seeds in a coffee grinder until they reach a coarse powder consistency, adjusting the grind level according to preference.
- Boil water in a pot or kettle.
- Place the ground date seeds in a French press or teapot.
- Pour the boiling water over the ground date seeds.
- Let the mixture steep for 5-10 minutes, adjusting based on desired strength.
- Press down the plunger on the French press or strain the liquid if using a teapot to eliminate date seed particles.
- Serve hot and savor your date coffee! Sweeteners 100% agave syrup or date sugar, as well as coconut milk, can be added to taste if preferred.
Note: Date coffee boasts a distinctive flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional coffee. Experiment with roasting time and grind level to customize the flavor to your liking. Furthermore, consider blending date coffee with spices from the Dr. Sebi Nutritional Guide for enhanced flavor complexity.
Benefits of Date Seed
Date seeds, often discarded, possess numerous potential health benefits. Here are a few of them:
1. Abundant in Antioxidants: Date seeds are rich in antioxidants like phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins. These antioxidants aid in neutralizing harmful free radicals within the body, thereby reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
2. High in Fiber: Similar to the fruit itself, date seeds are also packed with dietary fiber. Fiber is crucial for maintaining digestive health as it promotes regular bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
3. Potential Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Studies suggest that compounds present in date seeds may possess anti-inflammatory properties. These properties have the potential to reduce inflammation in the body, which is associated with various health conditions including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
4. Blood Sugar Regulation: Date seeds contain specific compounds that may aid in regulating blood sugar levels. Preliminary studies have indicated that date seed extract may have antidiabetic effects by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
5. Possible Cholesterol-Lowering Effects: Animal studies have suggested that date seed extract could help lower cholesterol levels. This effect may be attributed to the fiber content and certain bioactive compounds found in date seeds, which help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.
6. Potential Antimicrobial Properties: Date seeds contain antimicrobial compounds that may inhibit the growth of microbes and fungi. These properties contribute to overall immune system health and reduce the risk of infections.
7. Skin Health: Date seed extract is sometimes utilized in skincare products due to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has the ability to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and reduce inflammation associated with skin conditions such as acne and eczema.
8. Nutrient Composition: Although date seeds have not been as thoroughly researched as the fruit itself, they do contain a variety of nutrients such as minerals. These nutrients play a role in promoting overall health and well-being.
Research
#1. Title: Antioxidant Properties and Health Benefits of Date Seeds
Abstract: For thousands of years, the fruits (dates) of the date palm were consumed as staple food and believed to have remarkable nutritional, health, and economic value. Recent studies indicate that date seeds too contain significant amounts of beneficial food ingredients such as oleic acid, dietary fibers, and polyphenols. These compounds have been associated with reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases and improved overall well-being. Date seeds have been lately exploited for production of foods such as bread and hot beverages without impairment to sensory characteristics. This review focuses on the antioxidant properties and health benefits of date seeds and describes a coffee-substitute drink based on date seeds. Using an undesired by-product of the date industry as a raw material for functional foods has great economic potential and is thus expected to grow in the coming years.
#2. Topic: The effect of date seed (Phoenix dactylifera) supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress biomarkers, and performance in active people: A blinded randomized controlled trial protocol
Abstract: Introduction – High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an efficient training method to improve vascular function, maximal oxygen consumption, and muscle mitochondrial capacity while maximizing muscular damage. Recently, functional foods have been considered a practical approach to avoiding HIIT damage and improving sports performance. Thus, the present study will evaluate the effectiveness of date seed powder as a functional food on the nutritional, oxidative stress, anti/inflammatory status, mental health, and performance of active people.
Conclusion: The consumption of date seed powder would decrease oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle pain, and improve mental health and performance. The results of this trial can be used to provide evidence-based recommendations for active people, recreational runners, and nutritionists.
References:
Moran Brouk, Ayelet Fishman. Antioxidant Properties and Health Benefits of Date Seeds. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-7662-8_16
Elham Moslemi, Parvin Dehghan, Mostafa Khani. The effect of date seed (Phoenix dactylifera) supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress biomarkers, and performance in active people: A blinded randomized controlled trial protocol
