Jaggery Benefits

Jaggery is one of the common sweeteners used in the preparation of various dishes in many parts of the world. It is a traditional type of amorphous, unrefined, and non-distilled sugar. Although it is obtained from the same source as sugar, they are much different in their appearance, properties, and benefits.

Jaggery is prepared from the sap or juice of plants, such as sugarcane and date palm. When it is obtained from palm trees, it is known as palm jaggery, and the benefits are similar to the one obtained from sugarcane.

The process of making jaggery from the plant sources does not involve any chemical agents, and hence, all the natural mineral salts are retained. It is known to have various medicinal properties and other health benefits.

It acts as a cleansing agent for our body and effectively cleans the respiratory tracts, food pipe, lungs, stomach, and intestines. It helps the body to get rid of the unwanted particles and thus provides relief from constipation.

It proves as a great digestive aid and speeds up the process of digestion. Eating a few grams of jaggery after a heavy meal is often recommended for those having problems with normal digestion. In the body, it activates the various digestive enzymes and gets itself converted to acetic acid, thus speeding up digestion.

It is a rich source of many vital minerals that are required by the body for normal growth and functioning. It is considered as a storehouse of various important minerals, like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, etc.

• It is used since ancient times to treat problems, such as dry cough, common cold, and asthma.
• It is beneficial in treating conditions like indigestion and constipation.
• It helps in promoting relaxation of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, thus enhancing their functions.

• Migraines, the most painful and uncomfortable type of headaches can be relieved to a large extent by jaggery.
• It is a rich source of iron, and is therefore, very good for anemic people, as it increases the hemoglobin level in the blood.
• It has strong antioxidant properties and protects our body cells from the damage caused by free radicals.

• It has the ability to purify blood and helps in regulating the liver function.
• A mixture of jaggery and dry ginger powder taken with warm water can stop hiccups.
• It helps in regulating blood pressure and also helps the body to get rid of all the toxins.

• It is loaded with many essential nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals, that play a key role in many life processes.
• It has potassium content that may help in reducing bloating and water retention.

• It is more complex than table sugar, and hence takes a longer time to break down. It takes longer to digest and release energy. This leads diabetics to consider jaggery as a safe substitute for table sugar. However, this is not completely right. It does contain invert sugars (mixture of glucose and fructose). So, diabetics should limit its intake.

This was all about jaggery benefits. Now, that you know how beneficial it is, try substituting sugar with it in your favorite recipes, and enjoy its benefits.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.