Modern science has finally gotten around to proving the physical and mental health benefits of eating ghee that our ancestors figured out centuries ago. There is an ancient proverb in Sindhi that goes Jeko kare ghee, so na kare ma-pii Translated, it means what ghee can do for you, even your mother and father can't! You may not believe us now, but by the end of this article you'll know what we mean.
What exactly is ghee?
Also known as clarified butter, ghee is formed when butter is boiled and the milk solids are removed, leaving a concentrated residue of pure fats. Like butter, it can be dangerous to your health if consumed in large quantities because of the high concentration of fat, but in small quantities it can do wonders.Â
Check out the health benefits of ghee:
1. Enables weight loss
Like olive oil and coconut oil, ghee contains healthy fats that help you burn fat and lose weight.
2. Provides energy
Ghee contains medium chain fatty acids which the liver can absorb directly and burn immediately, making it a healthier source of energy than most of the carbs we eat today
3. Reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes
Ghee is rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid that protects against plaque, cancer and diabetes.
4. Lowers cholesterol
Ghee is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lower cholesterol and boost heart health.
5. Boosts digestion
Ghee is packed with butyric acid, a short chain fatty acid that has several benefits, one of which is better digestion. Our bodies actually convert fibre into butyric acid, so eating it makes the body's job easier. Butyric acid helps heal the digestive tract and keeps it healthy.
6. Improves immunity
The butyric acid in ghee also promotes immunity, by increasing the production of killer T cells in the gut.
7. Fights inflammation
Doctors are now using butyrate supplements to treat inflammatory conditions, so ghee is a better option, since it is natural.
8. Increases appetite
Ghee triggers the release of gastric acid, which results in better digestion and increased appetite.
9. Promotes flexibility
It’s no wonder that yogis cooked their food in ghee; it lubricates the joints and connective tissues and promotes flexibility.
10. Improves eye health
Ghee is rich in Vitamin A, which prevents macular degeneration and cataract development
11. Gives you beautiful babies
Loaded with Vitamin K2, ghee plays an important role in the development of the baby’s facial features and teeth.Â
12. Promotes positivity
According to Ayurveda, ghee is considered a satvic food. Satvic foods promote good health, positivity and personal growth.
13. Removes emotional toxins
Research is showing that negative emotions have a chemical composition, and that these chemicals get stored in unhealthy fats. Ghee is a healthy fat that does not harbour these emotions; instead it can be used to flush them out.
14. Absorbs the nutrients in herbs and spices
Indian food contains several herbs and spices, each of which is loaded with numerous nutrients. Ghee absorbs these nutrients and helps them reach the correct part of the body, where they are most required.
15. Does not break down into free radicals
Many oils have a low smoke point, at which they break down and form free radicals. Free radicals are harmful agents that cause all sorts of disease and deterioration in the body, right from ageing to cancer. Ghee has a high smoke point (250°C), so it doesn't break down into free radicals while cooking.
16. Can be stored without refrigeration
The milk solids from the butter are removed during the clarification process, and since only pure fat remains, it can be stored without refrigeration for years at a time without going bad.
17. Does not trigger lactose intolerance
Since the milk solids have been removed, ghee usually doesn't bother people who are lactose intolerant.
