Dates most favorite item in Iftar carries numerous health benefits.

PESHAWAR: The demand of dates (khajoors) as being the most favorite fruit item during the opening of fast (iftari) in Ramazan has increased manifold in Peshawar and was being sold like a hot cake in city's markets that carries significant health benefits for people.

Despite use of spicy items like Samosas, Pakora, Kachhalo, fresh juices and Dahi Balay in Ramazan, dates are the most favorite item of the every household, restaurants and hotels for breaking of the fast.

All major fruits markets at Firdus, Hasthnagri, Namak Mandi, Qisa Khawani Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Hashtnagri, Board area, Cantonment, Nothia, Tehkal, University Town and Hayabatabad were flooded with different types of dates and were attracting faithfuls in large number.

Being the most preferred item in iftari, hectic buying of the commodity is also seen in small and big markets including street outlets and vendors sitting on the roadside and earning two times high amount of money in Ramazan as compared to normal days.

A market survey conducted by this scribe here Wednesday revealed that prices of local and imported dates were relatively high this year against last year and so its prices were needed to be checked.

"Since my young age, I start Iftar with dates because of its great important in Islamic and medical point of view for human health," Khurshid Khan, a semi Govt employee told APP while busy in Firdus market purchasing dates.

"I purchased five kilogram Dhaki DI Khan dates for my family and four kilograms for my maternal uncle as gift for Iftar parties,' he said. However, he said prices of imported dates were high this year that also needed to be checked.

Local (Muzafarti) date was being sold at Rs320-380 per kilogram this year compared to Rs200-250 last year whereas Iranian dates is available at Rs220-280 against Rs140-180 per kg last year. Dhaki DI Khan's dates was being sold at Rs350-400 per KG this year against Rs280-320 last year.

Senior medical and children specialist, Professor Dr Riaz Khan told APP that dates carried numerous health benefits for human beings especially during Ramadan and urged faithful to use it in iftar for their own benefits.

He recommended people to start Iftar by eating at least 2 to 4 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...