While a section of media has been suggesting a list of to do’s-and-don’ts to stay away from dengue, cautious Bangaloreans are heading to Russell Market to shape-up their diet.
The dengue scare that has embraced the city, is making the traders of dry fruits at Russell Market, a happy lot. For, sales of litchi, prunes, fig, papaya and kiwi have surged, due to the health benefits of these fruits. These traders, who had an average of 10 customers a day, are now serving to as many as 45 customers. Customers from Bangalore East and Mahadevapura top the list, as the dengue scare is the most here. The traders say the stocks of these exotic fruits at their stalls have increased to meet the demands. “Customers say these fruits help in increasing the platelet count,” a trader reveals the belief of customers.
Mohammed Idrees Choudry, general secretary, Russell Market Traders’ Association, says, “The demand for figs and prunes is large. On Saturday, a customer bought 50 packets of prunes. To encourage more customers buy these fruits, we have decreased the prices. Earlier, a packet of prunes would cost around Rs 150, but now we charging only Rs 110.”
“Californian prunes and Zespri sell like hotcakes. A packet of 250 gram of prunes costs Rs 150, while Zespri costs Rs 300 per kg. People who cannot afford these fruits buy papaya,” said Syed Shawnawaz, a trader at Russell Market.
Medical Director of Santosh Hospital Bikram Chand says though these fruits help people who are recovering from illness, it is not proven that it helps in increasing the platelet count. However, he explains that these fruits help in increasing iron and potassium, prevents hypertension and lowers cholesterol. An official from state health department ruled out this belief, and said, “Why do we have to carry out platelet transfusion if fruits could help.”
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