The Benefits of Eating Jaggery in Winters

The sweater weather is here. Winter is a season of warmth and wonder. The excitement of indulging in our favorite seasonal food is in the air! While you will surely relish the desserts like Gajar ka halwa, we also want to make sure that you pay heed to what your body requires to fight the wrath of the winters. As you may already know, people often tend to catch a cold in this season. Well, that’s surely not something you would want, right? So, let’s talk about ‘Jaggery’, a magical superfood that will get you through this season, at ease.

jaggery
jaggery

Have you seen the elders in your family indulging in Jaggery (gur) every winter? We’re sure every Indian kid has had roti, stuffed with a dollop of gur, at least once in their life. Well apart from its’ amazing taste, there are several reasons for the common love of jaggery. 

The importance of jaggery traces back in history. According to a study published in ‘Ayurpharm’– The International Journal of Ayurveda and Allied Sciences, Jaggery has been endorsed for use in therapeutic and pharmaceutical purposes. Jaggery is a superfood that is packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. Let’s talk about how this benefits and helps you:

  • Treats Flu-Like Symptoms:

One of the scariest things in winter is sneezing in front of your mother :P. Jaggery is a superfood that helps to produce heat in your body. You can mix it with warm water or add some jaggery to your daily tea. The warming effect of jaggery will help treat all flu-like symptoms and prevent you from catching a cold or fever.

  • Boosts Immunity:

Ah! ‘Immunity’ is the new it-word! We have heard about it in 2020 more times than we ever had in our entire lives. Jokes apart, we know how important it is! The minerals and antioxidants in jaggery help in boosting your body’s resistance power and as a result, build stronger immunity.

  • Improves Digestion:

You may have noticed that jaggery is usually consumed after meals. There’s a reason behind this- jaggery aids the release of digestive enzymes. Eating jaggery with your meals or after them is a good practice to ensure the smooth functioning of your digestive system.

  • Helps In Prevention of Joint Pain:

People of older ages are usually advised to consume jaggery. It is an excellent source of calcium. Therefore, when jaggery is combined with milk, you can already guess the wonders it will work. This superfood helps in strengthening your bones, prevention of joint pain, and prevent diseases such as arthritis.

  • Helps Control Blood Pressure:

As jaggery is loaded with potassium and sodium, it helps in maintaining the acid levels of your body, which in turn, helps in maintaining the blood pressure. A well maintained blood pressure keeps you away from several other health issues including cardiovascular diseases.

  • Eases Menstrual Cramp Pain:

We’re sure that menstrual cramps are every girl’s nightmare. We bow down to all the women who bear it. Jaggery is the god-sent food that will help you in relieving the pain of menstrual cramps. Consuming jaggery makes up for the loss of energy that you experience during menstruation. It releases endorphin (happy hormones) which helps you with cramps and mood swings.

  • Prevents Anemia:

As jaggery is rich in iron content, it helps in maintaining the normal level of red blood cells present in a human body. Those cells widely help in carrying adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues and prevent anemia.

  • Prevents Respiratory Problems:

Did you know that the solution for curing respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis lies in your kitchen? Yes, you heard that right! If you develop a habit to consume jaggery mixed with sesame seeds on a regular basis, it will act as a nutritional boon for your body and help prevent respiratory issues.

  • Boosts Metabolism and Helps In Weight Loss:

Based on its’ sweet taste, you may have made up a perception that jaggery would add to the fat levels of your body. But, that is surely not true. The high potassium content in jaggery helps maintain the balance of electrolytes in your body. It also reduces water retention in your body and helps with weight loss.

Pro Tip: You can consume a glass of warm water mixed with jaggery, first thing in the morning. This will help in clearing up your stomach and aid your body in wondrous ways. 

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