People make most of falsa season in capital

Experts say fruit is full of anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic properties

ISLAMABAD:

The demand of Grewia fruit commonly known as "Falsa" has substantially increased in the federal capital, as parched dwellers thronged falsa carts to quench their thirst to beat the heatwave.

Salim Kamboh, a customer at a fruit shop in Blue Area said that he was fond of falsa fruit due to its delectable seeds as he felt that no other fruit had a sweet and sour taste like 'falsa'. "It not only has a flavorsome taste but is extremely beneficial for health,” he added.

"I am a diabetic patient and a medical specialist advised me to consume falsa as much as I can in the summer season, as it aids to balance the insulin in the body. When I eat the falsa fruit, I feel a positive change in my health", he shared.

Maleeha Sultan, a student of F-8 Model College, while sprinkling some spice on the berries of falsa at a nearby cart said that it was a gift of the summer season as the mouthwatering fruit provided freshness to the body.

"In the summer, I buy some fresh berries of falsa daily from my pocket money after college and sometimes I take it home for making juice. The blend of falsa with water, mint, black salt and later squeezing lemon into it, is the best drink to beat the heat", she added.

Complaining about the high rates of falsa berries, Nusrat Naeem, a labourer at Faisal Avenue expressed resentment over the hike in the price of fruit and said this year due to skyrocketing prices, it was beyond the reach of the common man.

"Last year, I bought 250 grams berries of falsa for Rs40, but this year the rate of berries is two times more as the fruit is available at Rs280 per kilogramme", he regretted.

Kareem Randhawa, owner of a juice parlor at I-8 markaz, apprised that falsa juice was the most demanded drink nowadays and most of the patrons loved to take fresh falsa juice for breakfast, especially families on a weekend morning.

Elaborating on the health benefits of falsa berries, Dr Umar Zaman said that falsa was full of anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. "The fresh berries of falsa fruit rejuvenate the tissues of skin and help in fighting against the skin problems like acne and dark eye circles."

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2022.