Dates, Most Preferable Item During Iftari With Numerous Health Benefits For Rozadars

Dates, most preferable item during Iftari with numerous health benefits for Rozadars

The demand of local and imported dates have increased manifolds in Peshawar during the holy month of Ramadan due to its delicious taste and numerous health and nutrition benefits and become the most preferable choice of Rozadars during Iftar parties

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2019 ) :The demand of local and imported dates have increased manifolds in Peshawar during the holy month of Ramadan due to its delicious taste and numerous health and nutrition benefits and become the most preferable choice of Rozadars during Iftar parties.

In Peshawar, all the fruits markets including Firdus, Hasthnagri, Chamkani, Faqirabad, Boards, Tehkal, Cantonment, Pishtakhara, Kohat, Dalazak Roads etc are flooded with different varieties of dates these days but its prices are sky high and beyond purchase of lower middle and middle class.

A market survey conducted by this scribe here Tuesday revealed that Muzafati date is being sold at Rs320-380 per kilogram this year compared to RsRs200-250 last year. Similarly, Iranian dates are being sold at Rs220-280 this year as against Rs140-180 per kg last year and its price is quite high.

Dhaki DI Khan's dates are also out of reach of common man as it is being sold at Rs350-400 range this year against Rs280-320 last year.

"I came from Nowshera to buy Dhaki dates on affordable price in Peshawar's markets due to its better taste and numerous nutrition's health benefits but its price is quite high in local markets and its prices needed to be checked," Misal Khan, a retired Information Officer told APP on Tuesday.

"My family has requested for four kilograms' dates but I purchased only two kilograms because of its high prices even in Peshawar from where dates are also being supplied to Afghanistan," he said.

He said district administration has failed to control prices of daily use items including dates in Peshawar markets and urged DCs to activate his staff to control price hike during Ramadan.

"Is this is not the responsibility of DCs and Magistrates to control prices of daily use items especially dates in Peshawar,' he questioned.

Riaz Khan, senior medical and children specialist told APP that dates are very important food item and recommended people to commence Iftar by eating at least 3 to 5 dates because it provides the body with necessary sugar, which are helping in restoration of low blood sugar after fasting all day.

"One of the most common reasons for headaches or dizziness during Ramadan is low blood sugar that is why eating dates is very beneficial at the start of Iftar to maintain sugar level," Dr Riaz noted.

"It is easy to digest so they don't exhaust the fasting person stomach," he said, adding research studies have proved that having dates after fasting has got great benefits for nutrition and health of people." It decreased great hunger feeling of fasting person and he doesn't rush into excessive food eating, which causes digestion disorders.

Dr Raiz said dates prepare person's stomach to receive food after being inactive throughout the day by activating the release of digestive secretions and juices besides it is very rich with sugary energy.

He said scientific studies showed that eating dates are extremely beneficial for pregnant women and nursing mothers as it contain certain stimulants, which assist in strengthening of muscles of the womb that can lead to an easier delivery and good health of newborns.

Dr Riaz said sugar content of dates is about 80% making it an ideal high energy food for nursing mothers," he said, adding it contain seven vitamins and eleven minerals with are very beneficial for pregnant women and breast feeding mothers.

He said people, who consumed more dates during Iftari will help minimize risks of heart attack, respiratory disorders, cancers, anemia, allergies, and constipation and advised breast feeding mothers to consumers maximum dates for better nourishment of their children. Dr Riaz recommended inclusion of dates in routine dietary programs imperative for a healthy life.