During Ramadan, bottled drinks lose fizz as fruit/fresh juices are in

More people prefer healthy food during Ramadan, as the jump in demand for most food items — especially fruits and juices — shows.

Sales of fruits, fresh juices and yoghurt increase more compared to bottled drinks and flavoured beverages with high level of sugar, say industry sources.

Most people prefer traditional food and drinks during Ramadan, with an ethnic flavour. However, some less conventional refreshments such as bottled drinks are also served for Iftar.

With the hot weather and long hours of fasting — about 15 — the demand for fresh fruits and juices has shot up, say traders.

Hypermarkets claim that the demand for bottled juices and freshly extracted juices is much high compared to the bottled ones.

“People start buying fresh juices and fruits from the first day of Ramadan. We had seen an increase of sales by 10 to 15% during Ramadan in the past two years. We’re expecting a similar increase in sales this year and are prepared to meet the demand,” a senior official at a leading hypermarket said.

“Sales of some flavoured bottled drinks have also increased over the past two weeks. But it’s less compared to the demand for fresh juices,” he added.

Besides a large variety of fruits, many leading shopping outlets are also offering fresh juices, along with the canned and bottled ones.

Fruits like watermelon, sweet melon, oranges, avocado, peach and juices made of these fruits are in high demand, as well as fresh yoghurt, he added.

Demand for snacks and cooked food items also increases during Ramadan especially from people living here without families.

“The demand for bottled juices increases between five to 10%, while sales of fresh fruits go up by nearly 20% usually during Ramadan,” said an official at another popular hypermarket.

The risks of heat-related health problems increase with fasting in summer due to a drop in body fluids and salt levels, say health experts.

They have advised sufficient intake of healthy drinks during Iftar (fast-breaking) and Suhoor (the pre-dawn meals). Fasting people have also been advised to avoid caffeinated drinks and beverages with high artificial flavours and sugar.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has recommended half a cup of fresh juice or a piece of fruit for Suhoor and a cup of orange juice during Iftar.

Courtesy: thepeninsulaqatar.com