Jaggery is one of the most commonly used ingredients in the Indian kitchen. This amorphous, sometimes misshaped, gooey-looking food is a natural sweetener. Made from sugarcane juice, jaggery is also an en easily available ingredient in the Indian market.
Now, it is a fact that diabetics need to stay away from sugar. But there would be no harm to the diabetics if they consume organic jaggery. Also, many people use organic jaggery in food due to its digestion-boosting properties.
Jaggery has been traditionally used as a sweetening agent not just because of its sweetening properties, but also because of its distinct flavour and aroma. While sugar would just give you sweetness, jaggery would give you sweetness along with flavour. Even the other variety of jaggery, e.g. date jaggery, has a flavour that keeps it on a higher pedestal than plain sugar.
You will be surprised to know that jaggery also has cleansing properties apart from being a sweetening agent. It is quite effective in cleansing the digestive and respiratory tract. Jaggery is known to cleanse the dirt and impurities from the system as it contains fibers, which prevent constipation. It helps to remove toxins from the body as well.
Jaggery is a storehouse of carbohydrates, which go inside our body and boost the energy level. It has complex carbohydrates that take time to get dissolved, absorbed and assimilated in our system, thus gradually releasing energy. This is a blessing for those who are diabetic and cannot consume sugar.
In many parts of the world, it is recommended to consume jaggery after meals as jaggery helps in speeding up the digestive enzymes. It itself turns into ascetic acid, which dissolves in the enzymes and assists the digestion process. A heavy meal can be digested easily without straining the digestive system with the consumption of a little bit of jaggery.
Since jaggery contains carbohydrates that take time to get digested, it provides warmth to the body. In many countries, people prepare sweets and special foods using jaggery in cold weather. This is a traditional method to ensure a little warmth during winters. Using date palm jaggery for this purpose is beneficial as it provides maximum warmth to the body.
Jaggery is loaded with many minerals, such as iron and other minerals salts that can supplement for the loss of minerals in one’s everyday diet. Along with its taste and flavour, jaggery offers many health benefits in comparison to sugar.
With its cleansing properties, jaggery helps in purifying the blood as well. Since it is rich in iron, it helps in the production of blood. This makes it extremely good for those who are anaemic, or are pregnant or have problems related to the production of red blood cells.
Jaggery, when consumed with ginger, acts as a perfect joint pain reliever. It even makes the muscles and cartilages stronger.
Due to its blood purifying properties, jaggery ensures the health of one’s tresses. It also helps to treat pimples and acne, imparting a healthy glow to the skin.
The main reason behind menstrual issues is lack of minerals in the body. Since jaggery is loaded with many minerals, consuming it regularly can help women cure their menstrual issues naturally.
Jaggery, in all its forms, is extremely good for us. And if you opt for organic jaggery, the benefits increase manifold! So, don’t wait, go and buy organic jaggery this winter!
So are you ready to experience these organic jaggery benefits! Have you ever tried organic jaggery? How is it different from the ordinary jaggery? Share with us in the comments section.