Consumption of Palm Date Herbal Beverage: Effect on Maternal and Infant Nutritional Status

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the effect of a palm date beverage containing herbal beads on maternal and infant nutritional status. A randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted in exclusively breastfed infants (aged one to six months) and their mothers. 47 mother-infant pairs who were randomly allocated to the experimental (n = 24) and placebo (n = 23) groups completed the study. The mothers in the experimental group consumed palm date beverage containing herbal beads consisting of banana flower, lemon basil, and Thai basil (65 ml/bottle), two bottles/day, for four weeks and the other group consumed a placebo drink. Maternal and infant nutritional status was measured before and after the intervention using a body composition analyzer and digital baby scale, respectively. Maternal nutritional status, determined by weight, percent body fat, body fat mass, body muscle mass, visceral fat rating and BMI, was not significantly different between the experimental and placebo groups. Moreover, for infant nutritional status, weight-for-age percentile was not significantly different in both groups. In conclusion, a palm date beverage that contained herbal beads had no effect on maternal and infant nutritional status. The study period should be extended and we recommend that a future study investigates infant weight in the early postnatal period (infant age less than one month).