Date fruits are rich in phytochemicals that have anti-oxidative properties and are therefore considered as functional foods. However, it is unclear which part of the date metabolites actually enter the blood stream and remain bioavailable to exert any beneficial action. To answer this question, we conducted a nutritional challenge study in which we monitored plasma metabolome of 21 healthy volunteers after intake of Khlas, Deglet Nour, and glucose at five time points. Among the 1089 identified blood circulating metabolites, we found molecules that were specific to date consumption, including metabolites of the polyphenols ferulic-, caffeic-, and vanillic acid. Consumption of the sucrose-rich Deglet Nour led to a substantial increase in blood sucrose levels. Interestingly, consumption of serotonin-rich dates did not alter serotonin blood levels, but resulted in a sharp increase in its breakdown product 5-hydroxyindolacetate. We elucidated metabolites present in the blood after date consumption with potential health beneficial effect.

枣类水果富含具有抗氧化特性的植物化学物质，因此被认为是功能食品。然而，目前尚不清楚日期中的哪一部分代谢物实际进入血流并保持生物可利用性以发挥任何有益作用。为了回答这个问题，我们进行了一项营养挑战研究，在五个时间点摄入Khlas，Deglet Nour和葡萄糖后，我们监测了21名健康志愿者的血浆代谢组。在1089种确定的血液循环代谢产物中，我们发现了迄今为止消耗的特定分子，包括多酚阿魏酸，咖啡酸和香草酸的代谢产物。食用富含蔗糖的Deglet Nour导致血液中蔗糖水平的大幅增加。有趣的是，食用富含5-羟色胺的枣并不会改变5-羟色胺的血液水平，但会导致其分解产物5-羟基吲哚乙酸酯的急剧增加。我们阐明了食用日期后血液中存在的代谢物具有潜在的健康益处。