8 minutes agoAuthor: Gaurav Tiwari
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‘Superfood of winter’ Today’s food in the series is- Jaggery.
The foundation of healthy living tradition in India is very deep. According to Ayurveda, all the spices and herbs present in our kitchen are medicines for many diseases. Similarly, jaggery is available in almost every Indian kitchen during winter. Its nature is hot. That is why it is called the superfood of winter.
Jaggery is more than just a medicinal thing or a sweet. This is the essence of the Indian food system that has been prevalent for centuries. American chemist Albert C. Barnes, in his book ‘Agriculture of the Sugarcane’, writes that sugarcane came to the Indian subcontinent from the Malay Peninsula and Burma around 600 BC. Jaggery is being produced here almost since then. At present, 70% of the world’s jaggery is produced in India.
Eating jaggery increases energy level. 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.
so today ‘winter superfoods‘We will talk about jaggery in the series. You will also learn that-
- What is the nutritional value of jaggery?
- The risk of which diseases is reduced by this?
- Which people should not eat jaggery?
What is the nutritional value of jaggery?
It contains sugar in the form of sucrose and fructose. Therefore, its taste is sweet and eating it gives instant energy. Jaggery contains vitamins A, C and E essential for the body. It also contains many essential minerals including iron. See the graphic:
Eating jaggery is beneficial for health
Eating a piece of jaggery after a meal has been a tradition in the Indian diet. Now it has become so ingrained among us that even those who do not eat sweets do not refuse to eat jaggery.
This helps in digestion of food. It also helps in detoxifying the liver and blood. Its special thing is that it protects from lung and bronchial infections. Therefore, if you are eating jaggery daily then the risk of respiratory diseases is reduced.
Some common questions related to jaggery and their answers
Question: Is jaggery a better alternative than sugar?
answer: Yes, eating 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 cause many health problems.
Question: Can diabetic people eat jaggery?
answer: Diabetic people are advised to include low glycemic foods in their diet. Jaggery is a high glycemic food. Therefore, diabetic people should avoid eating jaggery or eat it in very small quantities.
Question: Does eating jaggery increase weight?
answer: Yes, eating too much jaggery can lead to weight gain. People eat jaggery considering it to be natural sugar and they think that it will not disturb their diet plan. Whereas the truth is that eating too much jaggery can lead to weight gain. Jaggery also contains fructose and glucose along with protein and fat. There are approximately 383 calories in 100 grams of jaggery. Therefore, before eating jaggery, keep in mind the limit.
Question: Is it safe to eat jaggery with any medicine?
answer: Generally, there have been no reports of reactions between jaggery and medicines. But if you have any doubt 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 that eating jaggery helps in regulation of the menstrual cycle. This also provides relief from period pain and cramps.
Question: Can we eat jaggery during pregnancy?
answer: Yes, you can definitely eat it. During pregnancy, women often have a craving for sweets. In such a situation, jaggery can be a healthy option. Jaggery is also helpful in hormonal balance. This strengthens the immune system. It also provides relief from swelling and pain during pregnancy. It contains iron in abundance. This 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 cleanliness is not taken care of while preparing jaggery, it may increase the risk of parasites in the intestines. Generally, jaggery is not prepared with utmost cleanliness in villages, hence it may contain germs. Therefore, some people may get infection by eating jaggery.
Jaggery itself has antibacterial properties, hence there are very few cases of infection due to it.
Question: Can eating jaggery cause nose bleeding?
answer: According to Ayurveda, jaggery has a hot nature. Therefore, eating too much jaggery is prohibited in summer. Eating jaggery in summer can cause nose bleeding. This can cause burning sensation in the stomach and can also cause constipation.
Question: Does eating jaggery spoil teeth?
answer: Yes, like other sugars, consuming jaggery can cause tooth decay and lead to cavities. If good teeth are cleaned after eating jaggery, then any such problem can be avoided. If you are eating jaggery at night then you should brush your teeth before sleeping.
Question: Can eating jaggery cause any side effects?
answer: Yes, jaggery is high calorie food. This may increase weight. If you have diabetes then the blood sugar level may increase. In some cases, eating jaggery can cause indigestion, diarrhea and constipation. This can also cause tooth decay and cavities. People who are sugar sensitive may have allergic reactions.
Question: Who should not eat jaggery?
answer: These people should not eat jaggery:
- People who are diabetic or whose blood sugar is higher than normal.
- People who are trying to lose weight.
- Those who have decay or cavity in their teeth.
- People who are sugar sensitive.
………………………….. Also read these news of winter superfood series 1. Winter superfood – eating guava 10 big benefits: Eating 100 grams daily will provide 380% Vitamin C.
Guava is not only a treasure of taste but also of health. In Ayurveda, both its fruits and leaves are considered very useful. In many countries including India and China, people still make tea from guava leaves and drink it when they have stomach upset. Read the full news… 2. Winter Superfood- 12 reasons to eat Amla in winter: It is considered nectar in Ayurveda.
In Ayurveda, Amla juice is considered a chemical that can prevent ageing. It is such a beneficial fruit that in Ayurveda it is called a gift of nature. Read the full news…
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