Well, while there is no need to introduce everybody’s favourite Jaggery or Gur, it is no surprise that it is the healthiest form of sugar in your kitchen! It is that one item in your cabinet that has validation from all the states, especially now in the cold. Nostalgia hits us every single time we open the container, taking us back to the times when we would be lovingly fed hot parathas with ghee and gud! Well turns out jaggery is not just good for restoring old memories but also your health! In this article, Dietitian Vidhi Chawla, Nutritionist and Founder of Fisico Diet Clinic shares a few health benefits the nostalgia catalyst jaggery brings with itself.
Weight Loss
If you are someone who is trying to lose weight but it is turning out to be quite the turmoil despite hours of working out and all that dieting, you should definitely include jaggery in the diet. Jaggery does two things primarily which will help you shed the extra kilos. Due to the presence of Potassium in jaggery, it helps increase the body's metabolism as well as balances your body-water retention capacity, both of which cause a big hindrance in weight loss.
Jaggery for digestion and Constipation Relief
If you are troubled with constipation, you must have jaggery after dinner. Jaggery helps your body with digestion. It stimulates the enzymes in your bowels, thus helping you relieve constipation and ensuring easy bowel movement. However, eating in moderation should be followed. Have a piece of jaggery after every meal to boost your digestive system and aid constipation.
Also Read: 3 Types Of Jaggery And Reasons Why You Should Switch From Regular Sugar
Immunity Booster
Jaggery isn’t just rich in Sodium and Potassium but various other minerals, nutrients and antioxidants like Zinc. Hence, consumption of a little bit of jaggery helps improve your overall immunity which is a must in your diet especially in today’s times. In short, jaggery boost immunity and you should have it.
Jaggery for Blood Pressure
The fact that jaggery contains Sodium and Potassium helps in keeping it as part of your diet. Especially if you have blood pressure problems. The acidic nature of jaggery helps balance out abnormal blood pressure conditions. You can recommend this to hypertension patients as this is an easy and effective way to keep blood pressure under control.
Respiration
For people with allergies, bronchitis, asthma, and other breathing problems, jaggery helps. It not only assists with easy breathing but also helps prevent such issues if consumed religiously. It can be a boon for people with breathing difficulties and so, they must have it.
Also Read: Sugar Vs Jaggery In Tea: Know What’s Better And Why
Menstrual Aid
Jaggery could be a really good friend during one’s periods. It helps in releasing endorphins which not only alleviate your mood from all the PMS but also help in reducing period cramps. Hence, people who menstruate should consider eating jaggery to release happy hormones
Detox
Gur is indeed really good for washing out all the toxic substances from your body. It purifies your blood, digestive system, both your food and windpipe, lungs, liver and just general toxins from your body. This will not only make you feel healthy but also lighter.
Urinary Problems
Jaggery is very helpful in curing all sorts of ailments related to the urinary system. Be it inflammation of the bladder or the urinary tract or even difficulty passing the urine, mixing jaggery with a glass of milk, can help you beneficially.
Apart from being an excellent natural sweetener, it provides instant energy as well as all the amazing health benefits mentioned above. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that our grandparents and other elderly keep going to jaggery after every meal, and like many other things, we should pick this habit from them as well.
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