Jaggery, the desi substitute of sugar, is known for its many health benefits. It is used in various Indian dishes to improve the taste and texture of the dishes. Also known as ‘gur’, jaggery is commonly made up of concentrated sugarcane, date palm and coconut sap.
Jaggery and white refined sugar have the same calorific value but because of its nutritional value, even diabetic patients can benefit from its use.
Nutritional value of jaggery
Jaggery consists of 40-60% sucrose, 30-40% water, and 20-25% of inverted sugar.
100gm of jaggery contains about:
358 calories
27 mg sodium
453 mg potassium
0.22% calcium
32% iron
85 gm carbohydrates
Health benefits of jaggery:
1. Prevents asthma and bronchitis
Thanks to its anti-allergic and body-temperature-regulating properties, jaggery prevents various respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis. Hence experts recommend that people living with respiratory issues should use jaggery instead of sugar as their daily sweetener.
2. Rich in minerals
Jaggery is full of many crucial minerals and antioxidants like potassium, zinc and selenium. The combination of these minerals and antioxidants improves the infection resistance capacity of our body and prevents free radical damage.
3. Better metabolism
Jaggery keeps a check on water retention in the body which aids weight loss. The high level of potassium in jaggery improves metabolism, helps in weight loss and maintains the electrolyte balance.
4. Good for blood
Jaggery is a rich source of iron and folate. It prevents anaemia and fatigue. Even today, women in Indian villages consume jaggery after childbirth as it helps increase the haemoglobin levels. Regular intake of jaggery purifies the blood, increases the haemoglobin levels and prevents various blood disorders.
5. Improves digestion
Jaggery improves digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. Its regular intake accelerates the digestive process, regulates the bowel movements and prevents various digestion related problems like constipation, wind and intestinal worms.