ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Though the Muslim holy month of fasting begun, the dates (Khajoor) are the most selling item compared to any other fruit in Ramazan and mostly the fruit sellers offer dates exclusively on their stalls and carts.
The demand of dates increases as dates are the most important item of Iftar according to religious perspective.
The tradition of breaking fast with dates is connected to the religious practices in Ramazan as Muslims across the globe prefer to eat dates in Iftari prior to anything else.
Wonderfully delicious dates are one of the most popular fruits with a list of essential nutrients vitamins and minerals required for normal growth development and overall well being.
According to a modern medical survey, it is now accepted that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. Muslims break their fast by eating dates and water according to their cultural traditions.
Breaking fast by eating dates helps avoid overeating of food once the fast is over. When the body begins to absorb the high nutritional value of the dates, feelings of hunger are pacified. Also, the nervous system can get a lot of help from consuming dates, since they have significant amounts of potassium.
When the body absorbs the nutritional value of the dates the feeling of hunger gets pacified with demand of various varieties of dates the prices also increase according to the quality and supply of the item.
Mostly the kinds of dates being sold in Sukkur and Khairpur districts include Arabian dates, Sindhi Aseel, Karblain, Irani, Rabai and others, said a dates seller.
There are more than 130 varieties of dates produced in Pakistan. Out of these large numbers of varieties dates of Balochistan and Aseel of Sindh are the varieties which are much sought after the world over due to their exotic taste, he said.
According to Health experts dates are rich in natural fibres several vitamins minerals natural products contain oil calcium sulphur iron potassium phosphorous manganese copper and magnesium which are advantageous for health.
