by Vijay Singh, Times of India
The wholesale rate of papaya has risen from Rs 15-18 (USD 0.24-0.29) to Rs 18-22 (USD 0.29-0.36) per kg at the Vashi-based APMC Market as more people are opting for the fruit as a measure to prevent dengue. The retail rates of papaya are higher at Rs 27-30 (USD0.44-0.48) per kg.
Reportedly, around 15 trucks of papaya are arriving at the wholesale market daily from parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. APMC director of fruit market, Sanjay Pansare, said, “Several physicians are recommending patients to eat fruits such as papaya and kiwi due to the outbreak of dengue and malaria in the city. The demand for papaya, in particular, has thus increased.”
Pansare added, while the rates for papaya have increased, the prices of imported kiwi remains stable at Rs 500 (USD 8.08) to Rs 600 (USD 9.70) per box.
General practitioners and specialists are reportedly also advising patients to eat papaya leaves extract in case they are afflicted with malaria or dengue.
“A report published last year in the Asian Pacific Journal of Biomedicine has stated that platelet count tends to increase in patients who eat the papaya leaves extract. However, since there is no exact scientific proof of this study, papaya is only recommended for boosting immunity, but the prescribed drugs are a must for the patients,” said a Sanpada-based doctor, Ajay Kukreja. He added that he usually advises people to eat raw papaya.
Source: Times of India