(Gur) Jaggery Benefits for Health, Gur Nutritional Value

Jaggery benefits- Elders often end their meals with Jaggery (Gur). One might assume that its sweet, heavenly taste is what makes it most popular. However, this naturally sweetening food has gigantic 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.

Nutritional Content in Jaggery

A quarter-cup serving of jaggery contains:

• Calories: 100.
• Protein: Less than 1 gram.
• Fat: Less than 1 gram.
• Carbohydrates: 26 grams.
• Fiber: Less than 1 gram.
• Sugar: 24 grams.

Please note that these values can vary depending upon the jaggery brands.

Here are 11 Jaggery health benefits

1. Prevents constipation:

Jaggery activates the digestive enzymes in the body, stimulates bowel movements, and thus helps prevent and give relieve constipation. Constipation is a condition in which it is hard to empty the bowels, usually associated with hardened feces. It also acts as a diuretic that can help stimulate bowel movement. A small piece of jaggery (Gur) after lunch could kick-start digestion, which is key to good overall health.

2. Detoxes the liver:

Jaggery is a natural body cleanser, further reducing the workload of the liver. Jaggery helps cleanse the liver by flushing out harmful toxins from the body, which further helps detoxify the liver. So if you want to effectively detox your full body, bite into a piece of jaggery.

3. Treats flu-like symptoms:

Fight symptoms of a cold and cough with the help of Gur. All you need to do is mix it with warm water and drink up, or even add it in your tea instead of sugar to reap the benefits. Jaggery produces heat in the body, which is why generally people consume it in winters. The warming effect in jaggery makes it an amazing sweet that can treat cold and flu.

4. Blood purifier: 

One of the most well-known benefits of jaggery is its ability to purify the blood. When consumed on a regular basis and in limited quantities, it cleanses the blood, leaving your body healthy. Clean blood will mean a healthier body and will ensure that it is free from any disease.

Jaggery Benefits Video

5. Boosts immunity:

 Jaggery is loaded with antioxidants and minerals such as zinc and selenium, which in turn help prevent free-radical damage and also boost resistance against infections. Jaggery also helps increase the total count of hemoglobin in the blood.

6. 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.

7.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!

8.Great source of energy:

Unlike sugar that offers a 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.

9.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.

Also See: Home Remedies to Reduce Period Pain

10.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 their intake to adolescents and pregnant women.

11.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.

FAQ Jaggery

Jaggery is better and more natural source of sugar. Jaggery has numerous health benefits which we have disscused. You can get jaggery online or offline.