Added sugar from Ramadan drinks is not recommended, doctor says
A period of fasting can provide a healthy reset for the body and studies have shown its benefits in reducing cancer and hypertension risks, as well as boosting brain function.
But how people break their fasts can be as crucial as fasting, with the temptation to over-indulge in fast food and fizzy drinks ever present.
Popular drinks taken at iftar can add hundreds of calories to the recommended daily intake, and one fruit-based beverage contributes about a quarter of the healthy limit for women.
Traditional Rooh Afza is a dark pink syrup made using rose, cooling fruits and herbs and is often added to milk or water to provide a refreshing drink at sunset.
One 100ml serving of the drink contains 414 calories – more than 20 per cent of the recommended daily limit for women, which is 2,000 calories.
Fasting relieves the digestive system and helps to adjust blood cholesterol levels.
It is also proven to improve glucose and insulin levels, but nutritionists said some people were at risk of reversing the positive effects by consuming drinks loaded with sugar at iftar and suhoor.
“Popular drinks like Rooh Afza and Vimto are not recommended in Ramadan as they contain sugar and artificial sweeteners that can cause weight gain, tooth decay and digestive problems,” said Mahmoud Elgendy, an internal medicine specialist at NMC Royal Hospital in Dubai Investments Park.
“They are made of water, sugar, grape juice and raspberry juice that contains citric acid, as well as natural flavours, colourings and sodium citrate.
“Vitamins C and D are added to make it nutritious, so overall these drink do contain some healthy ingredients, but are not a good choice for energy or a nutritional source.”
While the ideal calorie intake varies according to a person’s age, size, physical activity levels and metabolic rate, the recommended daily calorie intake is about 2,500 for men.
Calorie loading is on the increase and the average person now consumes about 2,960 a day, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has said.
People in Europe and North America were responsible some of the highest levels in 2021, with an average of 3,540 calories consumed a day.
Africa recorded the lowest numbers at about 2,600 calories a person each day.
“For the daily requirements of calories in Ramadan, people should aim to consume 2,000 calories split in half, 1,000 before dawn at the start of the fast and another 1,000 calories at sunset,” Dr Elgendy said.
“Liquids should include natural juices, milk and soups, and [people who fast should] reduce the consumption of caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea and carbonated drinks.
“Water is the best choice to stay hydrated. It regulates the body temperature and helps with digestion.
“Drinking water between iftar and suhoor reduces the risk of dehydration, so it is a good idea to drink at least two litres of liquid a day. Natural fruit juices can provide energy and electrolytes, vitamins, potassium, magnesium and calcium, while herbal teas have antioxidant benefits and aid with concentration and focus.”
Rooh Afza is not the only beverage that could be tipping people over the recommended daily calorie levels to maintain a healthy diet.
Popular concentrated fruit drinks including Vimto and Tang also add extra calories to meals.