We all love sweeteners in any form, but sometimes we refuse to consume sweeteners because of health. Mostly excess consumption of sweeteners can cause health problems. However, at some point, we still want to intake something sweet, so a healthier alternative is jaggery. Jaggery is an amazing natural healthy sweetener.
Jaggery is made from the sap of a plant (palm jaggery or sugarcane) that includes a good quantity of sucrose. It looks brown and has a different taste, unlike sugar. Jaggery in Hindi is known as गुड़ and jaggery in Tamil is known as வெல்லம். You can store it in the form of powder or block. It is used to make sweets.
Jaggery Powder: Easy to Use
Once you start eating jaggery powder, it will be difficult to try any other sweetener. Jaggery comes with various health benefits, it is mostly consumed in winters in India. It is available in various forms such as balls, syrup, and block and jaggery powder.
Jaggery powder is easy to use, and you can add it to a cup of tea to enhance the taste of tea. It is a healthy alternative to sugar that comes with various medicinal properties. Jaggery calories in 100 g may contain 383 calories.
Jaggery Meaning in Tamil
வெல்லம் ஒரு தாவரத்தின் சப்பிலிருந்து தயாரிக்கப்படுகிறது, இதில் நல்ல அளவு சுக்ரோஸ் உள்ளது. வெல்லம் பழுப்பு நிறமானது மற்றும் சர்க்கரையை விட வித்தியாசமான சுவை கொண்டது.
Benefits of Jaggery Powder
Good Source of Carbohydrates
Jaggery is rich in carbohydrates that your body requires to generate energy. It has the complex form of carbohydrates as compared to sugar. It slows down the production of energy and spread it for a long time. As a result, damage to internal organs can be avoided.
Improve Digestive System
Jaggery is rich in fiber that can make bowel movement easy as a result, helps in relieving constipation. It activates digestive enzymes and enables digestive functioning, and minimizes the pressure on the intestine.
Includes Lots of Minerals
No matter whether jaggery is made traditionally or organically, it contains lots of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. As you know, it comes from the juice of sugarcane, and it maintains all the original minerals.
Act as Cleanser and Purifier
Jaggery helps in purifying the blood and cleansing the respiratory tract and digestive tract. It also helps in removing toxins from the body and improving the immunity system of the body.
Antioxidant-Rich
Selenium, vitamins, magnesium with antioxidants properties are present in jaggery. Jaggery also allows your body to protect from damage done by free radicals.
Prevents Asthma
Black jaggery helps in preventing asthma problems and it has properties to regulate the body temperature. It also has anti-allergic properties.
Jaggery Nutrition
In 100 g of jaggery, it may contain the following nutrition value:
Sucrose: 65-85 grams
Calories in jaggery: 383
Fat: 0.1 g
Fructose and glucose: 10-15 g
Iron: 11 mg, or 61% of the RDI
Protein: 0.4 g
Magnesium: 70-90 mg, or about 20% of the RDI
Manganese: 0.2-0.5 mg, 10-20% of the RDI
Potassium: 1050 mg, or 30% of the RDI
Disadvantages of Jaggery
The following are some jaggery disadvantages:
Weight Gain
As you know, 100 g of jaggery contains 383 calories, and it is not good for those who are on a strict diet. Consuming a little bit of jaggery won’t affect you, but if you are eating too much, then it can badly impact your health, or it may lead to weight gain.
Increase Blood Sugar Level
Even though jaggery is better than sugar, jaggery is sweet, so when you consume it in excess, then it can increase your blood sugar level.
Nose Bleeding
If you are consuming jaggery in summer in excess, then it can lead to nose bleeding. So, it is suggested not to consume too much jaggery in summer.
Is Jaggery Good for Diabetes?
Glycemic index is high in jaggery therefore, it is suggested for diabetic patients not to consume jaggery. Generally, diabetic patients must avoid consuming sweet foods and desserts.
Jaggery vs. Sugar
If you want to reduce weight, then you must know that both jaggery and sugar have the same amount of calories. It means if you are replacing sugar with jaggery, then it won’t have any big difference.
Jaggery and sugar are made from sugarcane juice. But the preparation of both is different. Sugar has calories with zero nutritional facts. On the other hand, jaggery offers plenty of health benefits because of its nutritional value. Jaggery can improve the digestion system and also removes toxins from your body.
Read about “Badam Rogan Oil: Health Benefits and Nutrition”
Conclusion
Jaggery comes with several health benefits, but there are some jaggery disadvantages as well. Moreover, make sure to eat jaggery within the limit. If you are a diabetic patient, then avoid consuming jaggery or any sweet foods.
