Jaggery is unrefined and pure whole sugar that contains high
percentages of sucrose, fructose and glucose. It is rich in various minerals
like iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, chromium,
selenium and zinc. The advantage of consuming jaggery is that it is low in fat
and sodium content. Other nutrients in jaggery include B complex vitamins like
riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin.
Health benefits
- Being a rich source of potassium, jaggery helps in maintaining the acid balance in your body and hence is an effective remedy for gas and acidity.
- Jaggery speeds up the digestion process by activating digestive enzymes that aid the process.
- Jaggery contains high levels of potassium that helps in lowering blood pressure by neutralizing the effects of sodium.
- Jaggery is a rich source of iron which helps in the production of red blood cells, thereby preventing anemia.
- Jaggery helps in expelling phlegm, thus providing relief from cough and cold.
- Eating jaggery is found to help in reducing the frequency of occurrence of migraine attacks.
- Jaggery has been found to be a good remedy for bile disorders and hence is considered to be helpful in treating jaundice.
- The high potassium content in jaggery helps in reducing water retention in your body, thus helping in controlling weight.
- Jaggery contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, all of which contributes to bone health. It promotes the growth and development of bones and also strengthens your bones.
Home Remedies using jaggery
- Anemia: Eat 1 tsp jaggery twice a day.
- Fatigue/Tiredness/Weakness: Eat 1 tsp Jaggery thrice a day.
- Common cold and Cough: Mix some black pepper in Gur. Take 1 tsp with warm water.
- Gastritis and indigestion: Eating crushed jaggery with powdered black pepper helps in digestion by increasing the secretion of saliva and gastric juices.
- Acidity: After a meal, keep a small piece of jaggery in your mouth and suck on it slowly. The acidity begins to subside very quickly which is due to the high levels of potassium in jaggery that works to maintain the acid balance in the stomach.
Sources: Wikipedia and other websites
