Sugar was nicknamed “white gold” a few centuries ago, such was the wealth it generated.
Today, it is common sense that white sugar is a great villain and therefore should be banned
from the diet forever.
Its consumption can cause overweight and obesity, liver, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer.
In addition to other factors, it also predisposes women to develop urinary infections
and vaginal candidiasis.
Better not to consume it. Easy for the few. Very difficult for the vast majority, who feel
dependent on that “sweetie”.
Looking for a substitute? Bet on Jaggery!
Jaggery or Gur is a sugar that is popularly consumed in India and Asia, of traditional
elaboration, unrefined that is marketed in powder or solid.
Jaggery is a sweet and healthy concentrate obtained from the mixture of sugarcane juice with palm sap, fresh and freshly harvested date palm or coconut palm sap,
It is cooked for its concentration at 200ºC, without adding any chemical product or sulfides or acids in large iron pots.
Despite having as many calories as refined sugar, Jaggery comes from one of the first cane
extractions, which means it receives much less processing and loses very little of its nutrients.
It is as nutritious as organic sugar.
However, it is a sugar, rich in complex carbohydrates that break down more slowly in the body, with a taste very similar to that of brown sugar, caramel, and toffee, which can be used in the same cases in which we use sugar.
In Indian cuisine, it is used to make Curry, Sambar, Toffees, Sweets, and Desserts.
In Ayurveda medicine, Jaggery was recommended in case of the irritated throat, cold, cough, lung conditions such as bronchitis, silicosis etc.
Even it is used in damage from exposure to silicon dust, minerals, paints, and other pollutants in suspension since it facilitates the elimination of particles of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, as an energizer.
In India, it is recommended to take a little jaggery as a digestive after a heavy meal. In the case of indigestion, it is appropriate for people with anemia since it is rich in iron.
According to traditional Indian medicine, it cleanses the blood, very interesting in diets since it reduces fluid retention and improves constipation, probably due to its fiber content.
Enhanced immune function and weight loss.
One reason brown sugar is gaining popularity is the belief that it is more nutritious than refined white sugar. It also has several health benefits.
When you include jaggery, instead of sugar, to the diet, you speed up the metabolism of the body, that supports you burn the fat around the belly area in much less time.
Minerals and antioxidants in Jaggery can boost the immune system and help people recover from ailments like the common flu and the cold.
Some evidence proposes that zinc and vitamin C can reduce the span and austerity of a cold. Overall, there is a lack of evidence to support this claim.
However, brown sugar’s high-calorie content can help increase energy levels for those who struggle to eat when they are sick.
What can Jaggery be used for?
Like sugar, Jaggery is versatile. Now a days people are using as a substitute for refined sugar in any food or drink.
Jaggery can replace refined white sugar in foods and beverages. It is also used in the production of palm wine and as part of natural fabric dyes.
Organic Jaggery Tea Recipe:
- A cup of hot water
- 1 tablespoon Organic Jaggery or brown sugar
- A few drops of fresh lemon juice
- Optional: some basil leaves (called Tulsi in India) and, or a pinch of ginger
Try the organic Jaggery
In some villages, Jaggery is still given to newborn cattle to improve their energy and to make milk production sweeter.
As a curiosity to know that in the old days when cement was not available, to join the bricks in the constructions, a composite of a mixture of jaggery, lime juice, sand, and clay, by reacting the calcium carbonate of the lime with the silicon of the clay and the sucrose of the jaggery was used.
It is used as bait since it attracts animals by its aroma and the touch of minerals it contains, also as an ingredient in fishing bait.
Furthermore, it is also used at religious events as an offering to Gods and as a purifying remedy after funerals. Additionally, in India, it is consumed to bring good luck to new endeavors and when getting started.
If you are replacing white sugar with Jaggery powder, you will get some extra nutrients. That way, it is a healthier choice.
Note: Eating too much sugar from any source can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
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