Health Benefits of Jaggery
Health Benefits of Jaggery |
Jaggery or Gur is made from unrefined sugar. So, it is
healthier and better than white sugar. It keeps body warm and is also good for
digestion. It is great for issues related to respiratory tract.
Jaggery is made from sugarcane. It is also called as unrefined
sugar. It is prepared without separation of molasses and crystals. It is mostly
produced in India and Africa. Sugarcane goes through three processes called
extraction, clarification and concentration to make jaggery. Its colour ranges
from golden brown to dark brown.
Jaggery is also made with date palm. It also known as nolen
gur or patali gur. It is popular in eastern part of India especially West
Bengal. Winter is season of fresh jaggery.
Benefits of Jaggery
Jaggery Prevents Constipation
Good digestion is key to overall health. A small piece of
jaggery after lunch can stimulate digestion. Jaggery stimulates digestive
enzymes in body. It stimulates bowel movements. Thus, helping to prevent and
relieve constipation.
Jaggery Detoxes Liver
Jaggery is natural body cleanser. It helps to cleanse liver
by flushing out harmful toxins from body. Have a piece of jaggery to detoxify
your body.
Jaggery Purifies Blood
Jaggery has ability to purify blood. It should be consumed
on regular basis and in limited quantity to purify blood. Clean blood means a
healthier body free from disease.
Jaggery Boosts Immunity
Jaggery is packed with antioxidants and minerals such as
zinc and selenium. It helps prevent free radical damage, boost resistance
against infections and increase total count of haemoglobin in blood.
Jaggery can Treat Flu like symptoms
To fight symptoms of cold and cough, mix warm water with
jaggery or gur and drink it. It can be added to tea as replacement of sugar.
Jaggery produces heat in body. Its warming effect can help
to treat cold and flu.
Jaggery Cleanses body
Eat jaggery to remove unwanted particles from body. It is
best natural cleansing agent for body. It cleans efficiently respiratory tract,
lungs, intestines, stomach and food pipe. It is highly recommended to eat
jaggery for people working in heavily polluted areas such as coal mines or
factories.
Jaggery eases menstrual pain
Jaggery has many essential nutrients. It is an effective
natural remedy for menstrual problems especially providing relief from cramps.
Eating a small piece of jaggery daily can combat symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual
Syndrome).
Jaggery Prevents Anaemia
Jaggery is rich in iron and folate. They help to prevent
anaemia by making sure that a normal level of red blood cells in maintained. It
is beneficial for pregnant women. It provides instant energy to body.
Jaggery Boosts Intestinal Health
Jaggery has high magnesium content which boosts intestinal
health. In every 10 grams of jaggery, we get 16 mg magnesium which is 4 percent
of daily requirement of this mineral.
Jaggery Cools Stomach
Jaggery helps in maintaining normal body temperature. It
helps in keeping stomach cool. As per expert’s, drink Jaggery Sharbat during
summer months to cool off. It is prepared by soaking jaggery in ice cold water.
Jaggery Controls Blood Pressure
Jaggery contains potassium and sodium which play crucial
role in maintenance of acid levels in body. It makes sure that normal level of
blood pressure is properly maintained.
Jaggery Prevents Respiratory Problems
Eating jaggery regularly, many respiratory problems such as
asthma, bronchitis etc. can be prevented. Experts recommend eating jaggery with
sesame seeds to avail benefits for respiratory system.
Jaggery Relieves Joint Pain
Eating jaggery can provide relief from aches and pains in
joints. Eat it with piece of ginger to alleviate joint pain. Drink a glass of
milk with jaggery every day to help toughen bones, counter joint and bone
problems like arthritis.
Jaggery is Good Source of Energy
Jaggery is complex carbohydrate that gives energy to body
gradually and for longer time. Levels of blood sugar do not get raised instantly.
It prevents fatigue and weakness in body.
Jaggery and Lemon water for Weight Loss
Jaggery is rich source of potassium which helps in balance
of electrolytes as well as building muscles and boosting metabolism. Potassium
helps in reduction of water retention, which helps in managing weight.
Lemon water mixed with jaggery quickens process of reducing
weight.
How to Prepare Jaggery and Lemon Water Drink
Take a glass of warm water. Squeeze half a lemon extract to
it. Add 1 tablespoon of jaggery and mix well. Drink it every morning on empty
stomach. It will induce metabolism and reduce body weight. This drink will
provide enough energy for keeping us active and healthy.
Nutritional Value of Jaggery
100 grams i.e. half a cup of jaggery may contain
·
Calorie: 383
·
Sucrose: 65-85 grams
·
Fructose and glucose: 10-15 grams
·
Protein: 0.4 grams
·
Fat: 0.1 grams
·
Iron: 11 mg or 61% of RDI
·
Magnesium: 70-90 mg, or about 20% of RDI
·
Potassium: 1050 mg, or 30% of the RDI
·
Manganese: 0.2-0.5mg, 10-20% of RDI
How to Consume Jaggery Every Day
Six spoons of any form of sugar, refined or unrefined both can
be consumed daily. 10 grams of jaggery is enough for daily consumption.
Note: It is suggested to consume jaggery in moderation.
It is slightly higher in calories. It contains 4 kcal/gram. People with diabetes should avoid Jaggery as it can raise blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor before consuming, if you are diabetic.
How to buy Jaggery
·
Colour of jaggery should be dark brown ideally.
Yellowish colour jaggery may indicate chemical treatment.
·
Buying hard jaggery is preferable. This ensures
that there are no additives added while boiling sugarcane juice.
·
Taste a piece of jaggery while buying. It should
not taste even slightly salty. Salty taste may indicate high concentration of
mineral salts. Salty taste also tells that it is not fresh. Older jaggery gets
saltier.
·
Crystals should not be present on jaggery. It
indicates that it may have gone through other processes to make it sweeter.
·
If there is bitterness in jaggery, it means that
during boiling process it has gone through process of caramelisation.
·
Vendors add chalk powder in jaggery. In order to
check its presence, take transparent bowl of water and dissolve a piece of
jaggery in water. If it is present, it will settle down in water.
Also Read : Turmeric or Haldi - Benefits and Uses
Also Read : Turmeric or Haldi - Benefits and Uses
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