Diabetes
When you were a child, your elders might have told you to suck on a few Mishri crystals and some peppercorns if you had a cough.
The reason was not just the sweet taste, but the medicinal qualities of Mishri and black pepper, which helped relieve symptoms. Using refined sugar instead would not have the same effect. Mishri can be pale yellow to dark brown, depending on the sap used to make it.
Mishri is a kind of rock candy made from the sap of the Palmyra palm tree. It is also called Palm candy or Palmyra Jaggery. The sap is gently heated to remove impurities, then poured into molds to cool and harden. Mishri is hard, see-through, and has a unique sweet taste.
Used widely in India and other parts of Southeast Asia, people also use Mishri in medicine due to its purported health benefits. It is also a famous natural sweetener.
Mishri has a unique taste, is pure, and lasts a long time. Many people think it is healthier than other sugars because it has minerals and comes from natural sources.
The most considerable confusion lies with the impact of Mishri on blood sugar levels.
This article looks at whether Mishri is safe for people with diabetes.
Types of Mishri
There are three types of Mishri available in the market:
1. Dhage Wali Mishri: This is Mishri crystallized on a thread, known as Dhage wali Mishri. It is the traditional and authentic form. Ayurveda suggests using this type for the most benefits.
2. Small Machine-made Crystals of Mishri
3. Large Crystallised Lumps without Any Thread
The small machine-made crystals of Mishri and the large crystalised lumps are more commercial forms of Mishri.
These types of Mishri are made from sugar syrup, so they have a similar nutritional profile to white sugar. They also have the same glycemic index, which means they can be just as harmful for people with diabetes.
The Healthify Note
Remember, real Mishri comes with a thread. It is better to use Mishri with a thread rather than the kind without it.
The Difference Between Mishri and Sugar
Mishri and sugar are both sweeteners, but they are made in different ways and have some key differences.
Sugar
Sugar is a sweet, white, crystal-like substance made from sugar cane or sugar beet. The juice is taken from these plants and heated to remove water, leaving a thick syrup.
This syrup is then crystallised to form granulated sugar. One can use sugar in many culinary applications, including baking, cooking, and sweetening drinks.
Mishri
Mishri, on the other hand, is a type of Indian sweetener made from crystallised sugar. It is also known as rock candy or Kala Khane in Hindi.
It is made by heating sugar until it reaches a high temperature, at which point it begins to crystallise. The crystals are then cooled and formed into small pieces.
People use Mishri as a sweetener in many Indian desserts. Ayurvedic medicine also uses it as a throat soother and a general tonic.
The Differences
Some critical differences between sugar and Mishri are as follows.
- Processing: Sugar is made by taking juice from the plant and heating it to remove water. Mishri is made by heating sugar until it crystallizes, then breaking it into pieces. Mishri is less processed than white sugar.
- Appearance: Sugar is usually a fine, white powder. Mishri comes as small, clear or see-through crystals.
- Culinary use: Sugar is used in many types of cooking. Mishri is mainly used in Indian sweets, desserts, and Ayurvedic medicine.
- Nutritional Value: Both have the same calories and nutrients. However, Mishri is more pure and less refined than sugar.
Some other differences are:
- Mishri is a low-acid food that is easy to digest. On the other hand, sugar is acidic and requires more time to absorb. It is mainly due to the difference in their processing.
- Mishri is cooling in nature, whereas sugar is hot.
- Mishri, according to Ayurveda, balances the Vata and pitta doshas in the body, but sugar has no such benefit.
- Sugar has no therapeutic properties, whereas Ayurveda claims that Mishri can be beneficial.
- Mishri includes trace amounts of certain vitamins and minerals because it is not processed, whereas sugar does not.
Can Diabetics Eat Mishri?
Known as rock sugar, Mishri is a naturally sweet material obtained from the sugarcane plant. It is free of chemicals and the purest form of sugar. If a person with diabetes consumes a dish containing Mishri, they must consider the glycemic index. It will show how Mishri can impact their blood sugar levels.
According to one study, the glycemic index value is a significant factor in determining the impact of food on blood sugar levels.
As per the GI values, people with diabetes can safely consume foods with a low glycemic index (1 to 55). Furthermore, they can moderately consume foods with a medium GI (56 to 69) as a part of a balanced meal. However, they should avoid foods with a high GI (70 and above).
The crystallised forms of Mishri that come without a thread are typically the same as sugar. It is due to their manufacturing process. Since they are made using sugar syrup, they contain the same glycemic index as processed sugar.
Some people believe that the processing makes them less sweet, and hence, it can make them healthier. However, it is a myth. The only form of genuine Mishri that can be is the Mishri with a thread or Dhage wali Mishri. It is slightly healthier than sugar but it is still not a great option for diabetic people as it can cause sugar spikes.
Ayurveda, the ancient medicinal system in India, talks highly about the benefits of Mishri for overall health. However, there needs to be more research to prove its effect on blood sugar levels.
Hence, it is safe for people with diabetes to consult their healthcare professional before using Mishri. Furthermore, one must also limit their Mishri consumption, as it is also a form of sugar.
The Healthify Note
It’s a frequent misperception that rock sugar (called Mishri ) is healthier than table sugar. The fact is Mishri is just another type of sugar. So be mindful of how much you eat. Excessive consumption of Mishri or other refined or unrefined sugar can negatively affect blood sugar levels. In addition, excess consumption can result in obesity, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues.
Conclusion
Even though Mishri has some benefits, eating too much can harm your health. Since it is a type of sugar, you should watch how much you eat. Too much added sugar is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, likely because it can hurt the liver and cause obesity.
Along with sugar intake, other factors such as your eating habits, body weight, sleeping patterns, physical activity, and genetic makeup can all contribute to the development of diabetes.
To help you make the best food choices for your health, you can talk to a Healthify nutritionist to create an individualised diet plan based on your personal needs.
