Purely desi benefits!

health

The presence of desi ghee (clarified butter) in our daily life is humongous even today, with every foodie reaching out for a spoonful of this dairy wonder, to top their dishes. Traditionally, it’s made by gently heating cow’s-milk butter until its water content evaporates and its milk solids can be skimmed and strained away, leaving behind only the liquid fat. Desi ghee is an integral part of our culture. From our daal, khichri to parathas; ghee is one kitchen staple we are never getting enough of. Moreover, it is extensively used in many nutritious dessert preparations like gajar ka halwa, sohan halwa and panjeeri. In fact, swapping ghee with refined oils has perhaps been one of the biggest blunders of modern cooking.

Ayurveda defines ghee as the by-product of butter without any impurities. Desi ghee is composed of fats of which 62 per cent is saturated fats which play a prominent role in increasing HDL or good cholesterol, reduce LDL or bad cholesterol without harming the lipid profile. Ghee is also a rich source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 and is loaded with essential amino acids. While fat should be consumed in moderation, studies show that eating fatty foods such as ghee can help the body absorb some essential vitamins and minerals. Cooking healthy foods and vegetables with ghee may help you absorb more nutrients.

Research has found several potential health benefits to consuming desi ghee:

Source of good fat: Are you on a weight loss spree? You may have heard a lot of people coming up with a pro-tip or two. And one of the most common weight loss tips we have all heard is- avoid fats. In a bid to lose weight, you may have even considered eliminating all fats sources from your diet. But doing so may do you more harm than good. Fats, carbs and proteins are three macronutrients that are essential for sustaining a healthy life. Removing any food group from your diet is never a sustainable way to lose weight. What you do need to do however is – choose better. Avoid all bad fats in fries, burgers and processed junk, and choose better alternatives in the form of ghee, avocados etc. Desi ghee is one of the most preferred vehicles for oleation: a process of ingesting oil over a period of time. This actually helps pull fat soluble toxins out of the cells and triggers fat metabolism, a process where the body kick-starts to burn its own fat for fuel

Good for your heart: Vitamin K2 found in desi ghee helps in preventing calcium deposits in the arteries that can lead to blockages and obstruct blood flow. It lowers bad cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol levels, thus maintaining a healthy balance.

Great for skin: Desi ghee has been a staple part of various beauty care rituals since time immemorial. Its vital fatty acids act as a nourishing agent that can do wonders to infuse life in your dull skin. Pure desi ghee is made out of cow’s milk and is said to be extremely powerful in giving you a soft and supple skin. Ghee is known to be suitable for all skin types and it also has vital fatty acids that help in hydration of the skin cells.

Improves reproductive health: Ghee is recommended for improving the functioning of male and female reproductive organs. Women of reproductive age are advised to take two teaspoons of desi ghee daily to regulate hormones while in men the same amount of ghee improves sperm quality and motility.

Melts belly fat: Desi ghee is all you need if you want to do away with that stubborn belly fat. The conjugated linoleic acid in this amazing dairy product helps in shedding those extra fat deposits. Traditionally, it is recommended to massage a little bit of camphor with desi ghee around the belly to melt it away.

Good Source of Energy: Ghee contains medium and short-chain fatty acids of which, auric acid is a potent antimicrobial and antifungal substance. Nursing mothers are often given ladoos drenched in ghee, since they are loaded with energy.

How to consume desi ghee:

Having desi ghee on an empty stomach everyday has numerous health benefits. The butyric acid and medium-chain triglycerides in ghee help in mobilising stubborn body fats and flushing them out of the body leading to increase in good cholesterol. But one should not go overboard with the consumption. Here’s how you need to start your day with ghee.

• Consume one teaspoon of cow’s ghee with warm water in the morning.
• You can also mix a teaspoon of ghee with raw turmeric and boil it. Consuming this concoction every morning helps improve immunity and cure dry cough.
• One can also grind raw turmeric and one teaspoon ghee and make a morning drink.
• It acts as a natural moisturiser and helps the skin to glow from within.
• Ghee comes packed with essential amino acids that help in reducing belly fat. The presence of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps lose body fat.
• Lack of sleep or stress or too much work may end up leaving dark circles around your eyes. Turn to ghee to reduce them in no time. You just need to apply it lightly around the eyes before bedtime.
• Ghee is a super-rich source of fatty acids and antioxidants that makes it an excellent conditioner for dry and frizzy hair.