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Jaggery, which is known for its sweet, heavenly taste, is primarily made from raw, concentrated sugarcane juice that is boiled until it solidifies. Apart from sugarcane, it can also be made from date palms and the sap of coconut. It is a natural sweetener that holds a higher position than sugar in the dietary world.
Jaggery is rich in copper, iron, and magnesium. Studies have shown that jaggery has B vitamins, some plant protein, and loads of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Besides, jaggery is prepared by natural means without the use of chemicals, preservatives, or synthetic additives. Often, you’ll see elders consuming jaggery after their meal as a dessert. This is not only because of its sweet taste but also because of its several health benefits.
However, owing to its high sugar content, it can lead to a spike in the blood sugar level. It also has a high glycemic index of 84.4, which makes it unfit for the consumption by diabetics. It is best to consider talking to your health practitioner or nutritionist before consuming jaggery every day if you are diabetic.
It is recommended to indulge in consuming jaggery daily. From respiratory benefits to weight loss, jaggery aids in the proper functioning of the body. Take a look at some of the benefits:
- Prevention Of Respiratory Problems
For those suffering from respiratory problems, jaggery can come to their rescue. As per the research by the National Institute of Environment and Health Science, jaggery is said to draw dust and unwanted particles from the body, providing relief to the respiratory tract, lungs, food pipes, stomach, and intestine. It is best to have jaggery along with pepper, tulsi, dry ginger, or sesame seeds.
- Controls Blood Pressure
The presence of sodium and potassium in jaggery helps maintain acid levels in the body. This, in turn, helps maintain normal blood pressure levels. Jaggery dilates the blood vessels, allowing smooth flow and stabilising blood pressure.
- Great Source Of Energy
Jaggery provides gradual energy that lasts for a long time owing to it being unrefined. This ensures that the blood sugar levels aren’t altered immediately and rise slowly. Thus, this prevents fatigue.
- Prevents Anaemia
According to a recent survey by SRL Diagnostics, around 63% of females across India are anaemic. To prevent anaemia, it is required to maintain adequate levels of RBCs in the body along with iron and folate. Jaggery is rich in both iron and folate. Consuming jaggery is a good way to prevent anaemia. Doctors often recommend adolescents and pregnant women to consume jaggery.
- Prevents Constipation
Consuming jaggery with ghee works wonders for your bowel movements. The iron content of jaggery and ghee fats work as a natural laxative providing relief to the problem of constipation.
- Aids Weight Loss
Most people deal with the problem of obesity. To reduce weight, consuming jaggery can come into help. Jaggery contains complex sugar, sucrose which takes a longer time to digest, thus releasing the extracted energy slowly for a longer stretch. This makes you feel fuller for a longer time. Also, jaggery is a good source of potassium that balances electrolytes which in turn boosts metabolism and muscle building.
