India is not only the highest populated country in the world but the plight is that in the next few years we may even become the diabetes capital of the world. The proportion of obese population in the country is also heavily snowballing, and bad cholesterol leading to heart attacks and blocked arteries owing to unhealthy eating and heavily sedentary lifestyle is one big problem. Everything from our hot and cold beverages to desserts are loaded with white sugar which is one of the biggest enemies of our physical well-being. While the market is flooded with sugar substitutes which includes everything from fake sweeteners that are equally dangerous to affluent-costing alternatives that hardly do any good. We Indians have most of the precautions and cures in our kitchen and in our Nani and Dadi Ka Nuskas that we hold in disdain. However, the best sugar alternative is Pure Jaggery (Organic Gud) and no other sweetener can come closer if we consider its benefits and nutritional value.
In this blog, we will highlight how jaggery is a natural sweetener that is as tasty as white sugar but 100 times more healthier than the former.
Benefits of Consuming Organic Jaggery
Bid Ado to Iron Deficiency:
Organic Jaggery is a rich source of iron that plays a vital role in the production of hemoglobin. Consuming a piece of organic gur everyday can even help women in dealing with the PMS symptoms such as cramps, abdominal pain and mood swings. It is also highly recommended to the people suffering from Anemia.
Organic Jaggery = Free from Chemicals
When you are consuming anything organic, know that it is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides. Similarly, organic jaggery is obtained from the juice of sugarcane, boiled and thickened until it hardens and then packed only with the natural goodness.
Low Calories, Filled with Vitamins
Though jaggery is sweeter than white sugar, it is comparatively very low on calories. Sugar results in weight gain while jaggery helps in water retention that promotes weight loss. Organic jaggery is packed with potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron. As per Ayurveda, organic jaggery (jaggery free from chemicals) is a top-notch remedy for breathing issues as it helps to clear the passage and combats chest congestion. On the other hand, sugar has no health benefits rather casts ill-effects.
Detox
Jaggery is the sweetest way to detox your body as it flushes out the toxins and cleanses the liver.
Immunity Booster
As Jaggery is rich in antioxidants and minerals, it helps in preventing free radicals and works as a great anti-aging agent. It betters your immunity and resistance against infections.
Enhances Digestion
Our grandparents always advised us to eat something sweet after every meal. They did not mean desserts loaded with white sugar but jaggery that activates digestive enzymes and betters the bowel movements. Consuming a piece of organic gud after every meal betters digestion and shuns constipation.
Skin Benefits
Jaggery not only increases the hemoglobin count in the body but also purifies the blood. Thus, jaggery helps in bettering the skin health as well and is effective in treating pimples.
Boosts Intestinal Health
10 grams of organic jaggery contains 16 mg of mineral which means if you consume at least 10g of organic jaggery each day, you will meet the 4% daily mineral requirement for your body. Thus, if you consume it on a daily basis you can improve your intestinal health.
Other Health Benefits
Jaggery is a magical a\sweetner that has numerous positive effects on the body if consumed for longevity. It keeps the energy levels in check, cures common problems like migraine, bloating, cold, cough, etc. Include organic jaggery in your diet and see how its magical properties enhance your overall health. Replace it with sugar in your tea or coffee, or mix a spoonful of powdered organic gud in a glass of warm water and drink it as it is.
Nutrition Value of Organic Jaggery
- 20 g of organic jaggery contains
- 38 calories
- 9.8 grams of carbohydrates
- 9.7 grams of sugar
- 0.01 gram of protein, choline, betaine, Vitamin B12, B6, folate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, and manganese.
As clearly seen, jaggery has no trace of fat so you can guilt-freely consume this sweet or it to your delicacies in place of sugar and indulge in them.