Get HealthifySmart 12-months at just ₹6,000 ₹2022Start Now
DOWNLOAD THE APP
HealthifyMe
No Result
View All Result
  • Weight Loss
  • Diet
  • Web Stories
  • Health
Get HealthifySmart 12-months at just ₹6,000 ₹2022Start Now
Get HealthifySmart 12-months at just ₹6,000 ₹2022Start Now
HealthifyMe
No Result
View All Result
Home Diet

Jaggery – Benefits, Nutrition Value & Weight Loss

Alpa MomayabyAlpa Momaya
December 8, 2021
inDiet
12
Jaggery – Benefits, Nutrition Value & Weight Loss

Elders often end their meals with Jaggery. One might assume that its sweet, heavenly taste is what makes it popular. However, this naturally sweetening food has enormous health benefits. Made primarily from raw, concentrated sugarcane juice that is boiled until it solidifies, it is essentially a type of unrefined sugar. Also known as Gur, it can be made from date palm (Nolen Gur of West Bengal) or the sap of coconut too. Jaggery is a major part of one’s staple diet in most parts of India. It is known as ‘bella’ in Kannada, ‘Vellam’ in Tamil and ‘Gul’ in Marathi. Before learning about the health benefits of this nutritious food, let’s understand how different it is from white sugar, honey, and brown sugar.

Calorie Count and Nutrition Value of Jaggery

Jaggery has enormous health benefits which make it the ideal sweetener. Just 20 grams of it contains 38 calories and has 9.8 gram of carbohydrates, 9.7 gram of sugar, 0.01 gram of protein, choline, betaine, Vitamin B12, B6, folate, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, and manganese. It has no traces of any kind of fat so one can readily add it to their diet without worrying about excessive fat intake. However, its sugar content is similar to that of white sugar, so patients suffering from diabetes should avoid overconsumption.

Jaggery vs. Sugar – The healthier option?

Numerous health professionals recommend replacing sugar with jaggery to obtain greater nutritional values from a sweetener. While both may be processed, sugar is mainly in the form of translucent, white crystals while jaggery can either be golden brown or dark brown in colour. The former undergoes rigorous industrial processes, such as treatment with charcoal, due to which its nutritional value is lost. On the other hand, the latter undergoes no excessive treatment except the boiling of sugarcane syrup. This ensures the retention of traces of iron, mineral salts and fiber in it. These minerals and plant phytochemicals are useful remedies for several ailments. This natural sweetener is an effective way to boost immunity, regulate body temperature, enrich the skin, improve digestion and cure joint pain, apart from a number of other mind-blowing health benefits.

Oh hi there 👋 It’s nice to meet you.

Sign up to receive awesome content in your inbox, every month.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Congratulations! You have successfully subscribed!

jaggery vs sugar

Jaggery vs. brown sugar vs. honey

Jaggery is prepared by natural means without the use of any chemicals, preservatives or synthetic additives. Therefore, it contains a number of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Many people often consider this golden brown sweetener and brown sugar to be the same thing. However brown sugar is produced either directly from cane juice or by refining raw sugar. Both cases require the addition of a variety of molasses, syrups, and demerara. Hence, brown sugar contains unnatural additives as well. Adding brown sugar is certainly better than adding refined white sugar, but jaggery is a much better alternative. Another way to make your desserts or everyday snacks healthier is by adding honey. It is rich in Vitamin B, C, and potassium while jaggery is rich in copper, iron, and magnesium. Hence, the decision to add either of these two to one’s diet depends on their taste.

Jaggery good for diabetes?

Diabetic patients often get sweet cravings and turn to various forms of sweeteners. Though these patients might consider jaggery a better alternative than sugar, the truth is that it too contains high levels of sugar. There is almost 65%-85% of sucrose in 10 grams of jaggery. Therefore, people with diabetes are advised to not consume it regularly. Furthermore, even Ayurveda does not recommend its consumption for diabetic patients.

Jaggery and weight loss

After considering the sugar content of jaggery, many believe that it’s fattening. On the contrary, it facilitates quick digestion since it is rich in nutrients. Moreover, it flushes out toxins from the body and cleanses the blood as well. The nutrients help to maintain electrolyte balance, thereby improving metabolism and the presence of potassium enables water retention, through which one can effectively manage their weight. Therefore, consuming this sweet nutrient-packed food in monitored amounts daily can greatly aid weight loss.

15 Health Benefits of Jaggery

We discuss some of the health benefits of this popular food sweetener below:

1. Prevention of respiratory problems

For those who have frequent respiratory tract problems, jaggery could be one of the most beneficial solutions. One can prevent asthma, bronchitis, etc. by including the same in their diet. It is better if one consumes jaggery along with sesame seeds. This combination is ideal for treating respiratory problems.

2. Helps with weight loss

Weight gain is an issue most people have to deal with. A trusted remedy to foster weight loss is a moderate intake of jaggery. It is a good source of potassium that helps balance electrolytes, boosting metabolism as well as building muscles. Moreover, potassium can also help reduce water retention in one’s body, hence, playing a major role in weight loss.

3. Controls blood pressure

The presence of potassium and sodium in jaggery helps maintain acid levels in the body. This, in turn, maintains normal blood pressure levels. So if someone suffers from high or low blood pressure, including it in their diet would be of great help!

jaggery helps control blood pressure

4. Great source of energy

Unlike sugar that offers short-lived energy boost, jaggery provides gradual energy that lasts for a longer time. This is because it is unrefined, which ensures that blood sugar levels aren’t altered immediately and rises slowly instead. This, in turn, can help prevent fatigue as well.

5. Relieves menstrual pain

Jaggery is a natural remedy to ease pain occurring from menstrual cramps. Additionally, those who experience mood swings or frustration before their periods should also eat the same in small amounts since it helps to release endorphins that relax one’s body.

6. Prevents anemia

To prevent anemia, it is required that adequate levels of RBCs are maintained in the body along with iron and folate. Jaggery is rich in both iron and folate, hence, a good way to prevent anemia. Doctors often recommend its intake to adolescents and pregnant women.

7. Purifies the body

People commonly consume jaggery after meals since it is one of the best natural cleansing agents for the body. Eating this food can help remove all kinds of unwanted particles from the intestines, stomach, food pipe, lungs, and the respiratory tract successfully.

8. Detoxification of the liver

Jaggery is a natural cleansing agent, especially for the liver. The natural sweetener helps flush out harmful toxins from one’s body. This further helps to detoxify the liver. Hence, those suffering from diseases associated with the liver should start eating Jaggery.

9. Prevents constipation

Consumption of the nutrient-packed sweetener helps to stimulate bowel movements and activation of digestive enzymes in one’s body. Whenever you’ve eaten a heavy meal, just consume some of this nutritious natural sweetener and reduce the risk of constipation.

10. Treatment of cold and cough

Jaggery also helps cure flu-like symptoms such as cold and cough. It leads to the production of heat in one’s body thereby fighting the cold. To reap better benefits, do mix Jaggery in warm milk or use it as a sweetener in your tea.

11. Reduces joint pain

For people suffering from arthritis or any kind of pain in the joints, the consumption of jaggery can provide immense pain relief. When eaten with ginger, the effectiveness only improves.

jaggery eases joint pain

12. Purifies blood

Consumption of jaggery on a regular basis in moderate amounts can aid in blood purification. This is also the reason why it is effective in treating acne or pimples as cleaner blood also means healthier skin. Additionally, the total hemoglobin count in blood also increases with the consumption of the right amount of it.

13. Jaggery can boost immunity

Antioxidants and minerals like selenium and zinc are present in substantial quantities in jaggery. This helps in preventing free radical damage along with building resistance against various infections. This is why it is eaten frequently in winters.

14. Cures urinary tract problems

Sugarcane is a natural diuretic, so jaggery too possesses this property. Reducing inflammation of the bladder, stimulating urination and improving the smooth flow of urine are some issues that regular intake of this nutritious food item can easily help with.

15. Maintains good intestinal health

Jaggery is rich in magnesium. Every 10 g of the food contains 16 mg of the mineral. So, if one consumes even 10 grams of it, he or she would’ve fulfilled 4% daily requirement of this mineral in our lives. Therefore, eating it on a daily basis can lead to good intestinal health.

This dark brown natural sweetener is easily available in all parts of India. However, do ensure that the jaggery you purchase is 100% natural. Make it a part of your daily diet, and you’ll start observing its benefits on your own.

close

Don't Miss New Updates From Us

You’ll Recieve on Health Benefits, Nutrition Facts, Health advice, Recipes and more.

Your Privacy is important to us

Congratulations! You have successfully subscribed!

Download Healthifyme APP
Tags: blood pressureblood purificationboost immunitydietdiet plandietingfoodhealth and fitnesshealth and wellnesshealthyhealthy foodIndian foodjaggeryJoint painweight loss
Previous Post

Vitamin C Rich Foods – Health Benefits, Deficiency & More

Next Post

Spinach Benefits and Recipes: Why and what you need to be eating!

Alpa Momaya

Alpa Momaya

As the holder of a Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics from the University of Mumbai, Alpa Momaya has always understood the value of good nutrition in an individual's life. She is a Registered Nutritional Practitioner (Canada) with over 15 years of experience in the field. Specializing in Clinical Nutrition, Pre & Post Natal Diets, and Weight Management, Alpa found her calling as a Sr. Nutritionist with HealthifyMe. Alpa's love for cooking and good nutrition has seen her contribute several recipes to the HealthifyMe database over the years. Additionally, she takes a keen interest in reading and painting.

Related Posts

Mathri
Recipe

Recipe: Baked methi mathri

May 16, 2022
Maintaining a Healthy Diet with Breast Cancer- HealthifyMe
Diet

Maintaining a Healthy Diet with Breast Cancer

May 15, 2022
dry fruit ladoo
Recipe

Recipe: Dry fruit rose ladoo

May 13, 2022

Comments 12

  1. recifit says:
    2 years ago

    Most of the health conscious are using jaggery instead of sugar, so sugar lobby is bit worried…. Jeggery much better than sugar

    Reply
  2. Asghar says:
    2 years ago

    Nice info, thanks for sharing with us.

    Reply
  3. hani says:
    3 years ago

    Great stuff . Thank you for sharing it!

    Reply
  4. Steven Kenneth says:
    3 years ago

    And the list goes on. My God! Never knew there was so many benefits for using Jaggery. And I should probably tell my mother that Jaggery is not a good replacement for sugar, since she has diabetes.

    Reply
  5. Sam says:
    3 years ago

    Excellent

    Reply
  6. Sam says:
    3 years ago

    Waooo

    Reply
  7. Himanshu Mehera says:
    3 years ago

    It is a nice blog. Rightly said jaggery helps the blood pressure control. Thank You for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Sudeendra says:
    3 years ago

    Thanks for sharing this information.It’s really good.

    Reply
  9. Daksh says:
    3 years ago

    really happy to find such tasty useful information about sweet jaggery.

    Reply
  10. healthi5 says:
    3 years ago

    Very nice article… Happy to read it

    Reply
  11. vikas yadav says:
    3 years ago

    It’s a great article on natural sugar I am always confuse about jaggery and honey and brown sugar. I am too diabetic I am not having honey and jaggery in my food and I have try it’s raises my insulin level fast. Moreover my elder brother have jaggery with pearl millet chapati its very tasty and healthy way to get all minerals and b vitamin.

    Reply
  12. jayshree says:
    4 years ago

    i m very much happy learning benefits of jaggery thru healthifyme

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Popular Post

  • Height weight chart feature image

    Height Weight Chart – Ideal Weight for Men and Women

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Best Diet Plan for Weight Loss & Diet Chart

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 7 Day GM Diet Plan for Weight Loss

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Black Coffee – Benefits and Side Effects

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Yoga for Weight Loss – 9 Asanas Poses to Help You Lose Weight

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Read by topic

  • Diet
  • Featured
  • Fight Corona
  • Get Inspired
  • health
  • Healthify Talks
  • Life
  • Nutrition
  • Recipe
  • Running
  • Success Stories
  • Swimming
  • Trends
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Web Stories
  • Weight Loss
  • Workout
  • Workplace Wellness
  • Yoga
HealthifyMe




At the heart of HealthifyMe’s platform is the World’s First & largest Indian Calorie Tracker, which allows users to track their food, exercise and weight, easily via their smartphone or computer while continuously analyzing the user’s data and provide powerful insights that ensure that users stay within their calorie/nutrition budgets.

Contact us: +1 800-419-9501

Email: support@healthifyme.com





Categories

  • Weight Loss
  • Diet
  • Web Stories
  • Health

About

  • About HealthifyMe
  • Leadership Team
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Weight Loss Fast

Discover

  • HealthifyPro
  • HealthifyMe Home
  • Android App
  • iOS App

© Copyright HealthifyMe 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Diet
  • Weight Loss
  • Workout
  • Yoga
  • Success Stories
  • Consult with an Expert
  • Explore Coach Plan
  • HealthifySmart Diet Plan

© Copyright HealthifyMe 2022