Development, nutritional profiling, physicochemical properties, computational protein-polyphenol interactions, and sensory properties of high-energy Medjool date bars (opens in new tab)

BackgroundHealth-promoting foods that support healthy aging are attracting growing interest, and Medjool dates, energy-dense and rich in bioactives, remain underutilized in protein-based functional snacks.ObjectivesThe current study aims to develop and assess high-protein energy bars made with Medjool date paste, focusing on their nutritional, phytochemical, stability, and physicochemical properties.MethodsThree Medjool date–based protein bars (F1–F3) were formulated with increasing Medjool p...