Valorization of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Fruits and By-Products as High-Value Sustainable Products: A Comprehensive Review on Bioactive Composition, Health Benefits, and Industrial Applications

L.) plays a key socio-economic role in arid and semi-arid regions, and is widely recognized for its high nutritional value, functional attributes, and therapeutic potential. Date fruits and their processing by-products, particularly the seeds, are a rich source of essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and diverse phytochemicals with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. This narrative review summarizes the latest evidence from experimental, preclinical, and emerging clinical studies on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, and biofunctional properties of dates and their derivatives, with particular emphasis on seeds as a significant processing by-product. Recent advances in their valorization for food applications, including bakery products, dairy products, beverages, meat products, confectionery, and active packaging, are critically discussed, as are their emerging uses in the pharmaceutical and related industries. Particular attention is given to their potential to improve the nutritional quality, functional performance, sensory attributes, and shelf life of food products. Overall, date fruits and their by-products are cost-effective, natural, and sustainable ingredients for developing value-added functional foods. Their efficient valorization offers promising strategies for reducing waste, implementing circular economy principles, and meeting the increasing consumer demand for healthier products. This review highlights the need for multidisciplinary research and innovation to advance sustainable by-product utilization, improve agro-industrial waste management, and expand the range of high-value applications for date fruits and seeds, thereby contributing to global food security, economic development, and improved public health.