Today's food in the 'Winter Superfood' series is – Jaggery.
Healthy lifestyles in India have deep roots. According to Ayurveda, all the spices and herbs present in our kitchen are medicine for many diseases. Similarly, jaggery is available in almost every Indian kitchen during winters. Its property is hot. That is why it is called the 'superfood of winter'.
Jaggery is more than just a medicinal item or a sweet. This is the essence of Indian cuisine that has been practiced for centuries. American chemist Albert C. Barnes writes in his book 'Agriculture of the Sugarcane' that sugarcane came to the Indian subcontinent from the Malay Peninsula and Burma around 600 BC. Jaggery has been produced here almost since then. Currently 70% of the world's jaggery is produced in India.
Eating jaggery increases energy levels. Along with many essential vitamins, it also contains important minerals like iron, magnesium and calcium. It prevents the risk of anemia and is extremely beneficial for joint pain.
That's why today' Winter Superfood ' In the series we will talk about gourd. You will also learn that-
- What is the nutritional value of jaggery?
- What diseases does this reduce the risk of?
- Which people should not eat jaggery?
What is the nutritional value of jaggery? It contains sugar in the form of sucrose and fructose. So it tastes delicious and gives instant energy by eating it. Jaggery contains vitamins A, C and E which are essential for the body. It also contains many essential minerals including iron. See graphic:
Eating jaggery is beneficial for health Eating a piece of jaggery after a meal has been a tradition in the Indian diet. Now, so much has been woven between us that even those who do not eat sweets do not refuse to eat jaggery.
It helps in digestion of food. It also helps in detoxifying the liver and blood. Its specialty is that it protects against lung and bronchial infections. So, if you eat jaggery daily, the risk of respiratory diseases is reduced.
Some common questions related to jaggery and their answers
Question: Is jaggery a better alternative to sugar? Answer: Yes, jaggery is a slightly better option than sugar. However, jaggery is also a type of sugar. It also contains fructose and glucose, so eating too much jaggery can lead to many health problems.
Q: Can diabetics eat jaggery? Answer: Diabetics are advised to include low glycemic foods in their diet. Jaggery is a high glycemic food. Therefore, diabetic patients should avoid jaggery or eat it in very small quantity.
Question: Does eating jaggery cause weight gain? Answer: Yes, eating too much jaggery can lead to weight gain. People eat jaggery as a natural sugar and they think that it will not disturb their diet plan. While the truth is that eating too much jaggery can lead to weight gain. Along with protein and fat, jaggery also contains fructose and glucose. There are approximately 383 calories in 100 grams of jaggery. So be aware of limits before eating jaggery.
Question: Is jaggery safe to take with any medicine? Answer: Generally, there are no reports of interactions between jaggery and drugs. But if you have any doubts about it then you should consult a doctor once.
Question: Can eating jaggery during periods cause problems? Answer: No, this is not true. The truth is, eating jaggery helps regulate the menstrual cycle. It also relieves period pain and cramps.
Question: Can jaggery be eaten during pregnancy? Answer: Yes, you can definitely eat it. During pregnancy, women often crave sweets. Jaggery can be a healthy alternative in such situations. Jaggery is also helpful in hormonal balance. It strengthens the immune system. It also relieves swelling and pain during pregnancy. It is rich in iron. It is very important for healthy blood cells during pregnancy.
Jaggery has antibacterial properties. It purifies the blood and protects it from infection. Apart from this, it is also beneficial for bone health.
Question: Can eating jaggery cause infection? Answer: Yes, eating jaggery can cause parasite infection. If hygiene is not maintained while making jaggery, it can increase the risk of intestinal parasites. Generally, jaggery is not prepared with utmost hygiene in villages, so it may contain germs. Therefore, some people can get infected by eating jaggery.
Jaggery itself has antibacterial properties, so there are very few cases of infection due to it.
Question: Does eating jaggery cause nosebleeds? Answer: According to Ayurveda jaggery has warming properties. So it is forbidden to eat too much jaggery in summer. Eating jaggery in summer causes nosebleeds. It can cause stomach irritation and constipation.
Question: Does eating jaggery damage teeth? Answer: Yes, like other sugars, consuming jaggery can cause tooth decay and cavities. Any such problem can be avoided if the teeth are cleaned properly after eating jaggery. If you eat jaggery at night, you should brush your teeth before going to bed.
Question: Can eating jaggery cause any side effects? Answer: Yes, jaggery is a high calorie food. It can lead to weight gain. Blood sugar levels may rise if you have diabetes. In some cases, eating jaggery can cause indigestion, diarrhea and constipation. This can also lead to tooth decay and cavities. People who are sensitive to sugar can have allergic reactions.
Question: Who should not eat jaggery?
Answer: These people should not eat jaggery:
- People who have diabetes or whose blood sugar is higher than normal.
- People who are trying to lose weight.
- Those who have decay or cavities in their teeth.
- People who are sugar sensitive.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
