National News

ISLAMABAD, June 11 (APP): Demand of watermelon has increased
during Ramzan as a nutritious and healthy food which not only to
quench thrust after fasting whole the day in scorching heat but also
gives energy to body.
Majority of the people use the watermelon as an essential
ingredient in iftar.
The juice of watermelon is also liked by a number of people
as it not only fulfills water deficiency in human body but its
nutritious importance gives strength to the body.
Low in calories and high in nutrition, watermelon is demand
of every one from children to old people as every one is in hurry to
grab maximum quantity of the mouth water fruit at iftar time.
According to its nutritious value, watermelon has mostly
water – about 92 percent – and this refreshing fruit is soaked with
nutrients.
Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and
C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids.
In watermelon, there is even a modest amount of potassium
besides this
quintessential summer snack is fat-free, very low in sodium and has
only 40 calories per cup.
“Foods that are high in antioxidants and amino acids allow
your body to function optimally,” a dietician Dr Asad Khan told
APP.
Antioxidants help prevent damage, and cancer. Amino acids are
the basic building block for protein, and protein is used in
virtually every vital function in the body, he informed.
A fruit seller Ahmed Khan at Aabpara Market said in summer
demand of watermelon remained high throughout the season but with
the advent of Ramzan its demand surge to three to four times as it
is a reasonable fruit as compare to other.
Replying a query regarding the complain of high price of the
fruit as compared it before Ramzan, he said, “We are buying it
for Rs 20 per kilo gram from fruit market so how can we sell it at
low price”.
However, people registering their complain said they have
raised
prices during the month of Ramzan in order make more profit.
They urged the quarters concerned and market committees to
take serious notice of the issue and deal the culprits with iron
hands so that common man can get relief in the fasting month.