Kashmiri Pandit
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Desi ghee or clarified butter, has largely suffered in the last decade in light of researches that denounced it as unhealthy and harmful.
A source of saturated fat, it was said to cause blocked arteries and obesity. But how much should we trust these researches that painted in black a food which has been an essential part of the traditional Indian diet and also is an Ayurvedic medicine?
Ghee or clarified butter made from cow's milk has been used to treat a number of ailments like cough and cold, weakness, skin diseases and pimples. It is said that aged cow's ghee when applied on chest loosens cough and when onions fried in it are eaten, they relieve sore throat. Ghee is an essential part of Chaywanprash, India's ancient super food which is a must have during winters.
In fact in a recent research it was found that Cow ghee enhances the availability of enzymes responsible for detoxification of cancer-causing substances and decreases the availability of those responsible for activation of carcinogens, scientists from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) have reported in the Indian Journal of Medical Research.
According to celebrity nutritionist Sandhya Gugnani, winter is the best time to have ghee as it is easily digested and also provides the much needed warmth to the body.
"Ghee being a fat soluble vitamin is rich in vitamin A, D, E,K. Ghee helps our body to absorb and make use of these vitamins. So basically it helps in digestion and enhances eyesight, keep muscles healthy and take out impurities from the body. Most importantly it has a softening effect and prevents dryness of skin which is quite common during winter season . 1/2 a tea spoon of ghee is good during morning followed by a hot beverage like green tea or regular tea / coffee." says Sandhya.
In fact, there is an increased demand for desi ghee during winters. According to Sahil Gilani, Director, Sales & Marketing, Gits Food, which has recently forayed into its production, "We have increased our dairy production capacity this season to enable us to increase our national distribution footprint. Being a quality focused ghee maker we are benefiting from the rise of health conscious consumers looking for premium desi cow ghee during winters, not just for cooking but also for medicinal uses."
However, this does not mean you can go ahead with liberal amount of ghee in your food. One must ensure that the intake of total fat (including ghee) should not exceed the prescribed limit of fat consumption. Also, those suffering from cholesterol problem must avoid it.
Here are six reasons why you must have a tea-spoon of ghee daily.
1. It prevents dryness of skin and keeps it well moisturized. Use some melted ghee as hair oil and see how it works wonders.
2. It has vitamin A which is good for eyesight. It helps control eye pressure and is beneficial to glaucoma patients.
3. It keeps joints healthy as it provides the desired lubrication.
4. Ghee has stable saturated bonds and so is lot less likely to form the dangerous free radicals when cooking and hence is a safer cooking medium.
5. Ghee is rich with antioxidants and acts as an aid in the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods, serving to strengthen the immune system.
6. It helps in healing burns. According to Ayurveda, ghee is good for brain as it makes it sharper and increases memory retention.
Nut Laddus
Try these laddus (do not have more than one, as they will keep you warm and also increase your immunity during winters).
-2 cups whole wheat flour -1 cup mixed nuts, roasted and finely chopped -2 cups powdered sugar -1 cup melted ghee -1 tsp cardamom powder -1 tsp cinnamon powder -2 tsp ginger powder -1/2 cup fried tragacanth gum (gond)
-Roast flour till it turns light brown. Now add all ingredients except sugar and ghee and mix well.
-Boil 2 cups water and add sugar, when the mixture thickens a bit remove from fire and cool slightly.
-Warm ghee and mix it to the atta mixture. Also, add sugar syrup. -Make into laddus and store.
-Have one daily with a glass of milk during winters.
A source of saturated fat, it was said to cause blocked arteries and obesity. But how much should we trust these researches that painted in black a food which has been an essential part of the traditional Indian diet and also is an Ayurvedic medicine?
Ghee or clarified butter made from cow's milk has been used to treat a number of ailments like cough and cold, weakness, skin diseases and pimples. It is said that aged cow's ghee when applied on chest loosens cough and when onions fried in it are eaten, they relieve sore throat. Ghee is an essential part of Chaywanprash, India's ancient super food which is a must have during winters.
In fact in a recent research it was found that Cow ghee enhances the availability of enzymes responsible for detoxification of cancer-causing substances and decreases the availability of those responsible for activation of carcinogens, scientists from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) have reported in the Indian Journal of Medical Research.
According to celebrity nutritionist Sandhya Gugnani, winter is the best time to have ghee as it is easily digested and also provides the much needed warmth to the body.
"Ghee being a fat soluble vitamin is rich in vitamin A, D, E,K. Ghee helps our body to absorb and make use of these vitamins. So basically it helps in digestion and enhances eyesight, keep muscles healthy and take out impurities from the body. Most importantly it has a softening effect and prevents dryness of skin which is quite common during winter season . 1/2 a tea spoon of ghee is good during morning followed by a hot beverage like green tea or regular tea / coffee." says Sandhya.
In fact, there is an increased demand for desi ghee during winters. According to Sahil Gilani, Director, Sales & Marketing, Gits Food, which has recently forayed into its production, "We have increased our dairy production capacity this season to enable us to increase our national distribution footprint. Being a quality focused ghee maker we are benefiting from the rise of health conscious consumers looking for premium desi cow ghee during winters, not just for cooking but also for medicinal uses."
However, this does not mean you can go ahead with liberal amount of ghee in your food. One must ensure that the intake of total fat (including ghee) should not exceed the prescribed limit of fat consumption. Also, those suffering from cholesterol problem must avoid it.
Here are six reasons why you must have a tea-spoon of ghee daily.
1. It prevents dryness of skin and keeps it well moisturized. Use some melted ghee as hair oil and see how it works wonders.
2. It has vitamin A which is good for eyesight. It helps control eye pressure and is beneficial to glaucoma patients.
3. It keeps joints healthy as it provides the desired lubrication.
4. Ghee has stable saturated bonds and so is lot less likely to form the dangerous free radicals when cooking and hence is a safer cooking medium.
5. Ghee is rich with antioxidants and acts as an aid in the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods, serving to strengthen the immune system.
6. It helps in healing burns. According to Ayurveda, ghee is good for brain as it makes it sharper and increases memory retention.
Nut Laddus
Try these laddus (do not have more than one, as they will keep you warm and also increase your immunity during winters).
-2 cups whole wheat flour -1 cup mixed nuts, roasted and finely chopped -2 cups powdered sugar -1 cup melted ghee -1 tsp cardamom powder -1 tsp cinnamon powder -2 tsp ginger powder -1/2 cup fried tragacanth gum (gond)
-Roast flour till it turns light brown. Now add all ingredients except sugar and ghee and mix well.
-Boil 2 cups water and add sugar, when the mixture thickens a bit remove from fire and cool slightly.
-Warm ghee and mix it to the atta mixture. Also, add sugar syrup. -Make into laddus and store.
-Have one daily with a glass of milk during winters.
