Jaggery has been a sweetener for centuries and comes with several health benefits too. According to Ayurveda, a source of traditional medicine, jaggery contains a variety of mineral salts, iron, antioxidants, and fibre that are helpful to human health. Jaggery has numerous therapeutic uses. When ingested in its natural form daily, it can treat many diseases.
Jaggery is made by constantly boiling sugar cane syrup until it creates a thick paste. Then, it is poured into moulds to create jaggery of the specified shape and size.
However, in many cases, lime is added to manufacture jaggery, improve colour, and provide preservation properties. The method may occasionally include the addition of sulphur dioxide, a bleaching agent. In rare circumstances, sodium bicarbonate is used to make jaggery.
Jaggery in pure form without any chemical mixture is known for its warming and healing properties. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirm sugarcane's benefits and healthy contents in the form of sweetener. Keep reading!
The Top 5 Jaggery Advantages That Everyone Should Know
1. Prevents Constipation
Jaggery activates the digestive enzymes in the body, which increases bowel movements. It also helps to prevent and alleviate constipation. Constipation is a condition characterised by difficulties emptying the bowels and is typically accompanied by firm stools. It also serves as a diuretic, which can help with bowel movement. A small piece of jaggery after lunch can help with digestion, which is important for overall health.
2. Blood And Liver Cleanser
Jaggery purifies the blood, lowering the stress on the liver. Jaggery cleanses the liver by removing toxic pollutants from the body, further detoxifying it. Also, one of the most well-known advantages of jaggery is its capacity to cleanse the blood. Clean blood indicates a healthier body that is free of sickness. Consuming it regularly and in moderation cleanses the blood, leaving your body in good condition.
3. Treats Flu-Like Symptoms
Jaggery may help you fight against cold and cough symptoms. For the best advantage, simply combine it with warm water and drink it, or add it to your tea as a sugar substitute. Jaggery generates heat in the body; hence, it is typically consumed during winter. The warming impact of jaggery makes it an excellent sweet for treating colds and flu.
4. Cleanses The Body
Jaggery is an excellent natural cleanser. As a result, eating jaggery can help remove undesirable particles from the body. It thoroughly cleanses the respiratory tract, lungs, intestines, stomach, and food pipe apart from blood and liver, too. Eating jaggery is strongly suggested for people working in polluted environments such as factories or coal mines.
5. Eases Menstruation Pain
Because of its high nutrient content, jaggery is a good natural treatment for menstrual difficulties, particularly cramps. If you have rapid mood swings right before your period, eat a tiny piece of jaggery every day to prevent PMS symptoms since it causes the production of endorphins. These endorphins relax your body, helping to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS). To relieve PMS symptoms, eat a little piece of jaggery every day.
Now that you know the benefits of jaggery, you can easily decide if you can switch to jaggery or sugar. Jaggery is not only beneficial, it is also very helpful for people living in colder climates.