6 reasons why experts recommend eating Ghee every day
Ghee or clarified butter that was an essential part of the Indian cuisine has lost its sheen these days. Many ‘health-conscious’ people dismiss adding ghee to food as they believe it is an unhealthy practice. But in reality ghee is packed with myriad health benefits. Don’t believe it? Here’s are 6 reasons why experts recommend eating Ghee every day or how adding a dollop of ghee is good for your health.
Acts as brain tonic
According to the nutritionists, Ghee is good for nerves and brain. It contains the high levels of omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids, which is ideal for the overall health. Apart from this, decreased intake of these acids is connected with the increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Therefore, make it habit to comprise ghee in the diet frequently as it can help to brain function better.
Prevents cancer
Eve though ghee is high in saturated fats, it is ideal for cooking Indian food because it has the high smoke point i.e., it does not burn very easily. This means, it generates the less free radicals when heated, which are known to increase the risk of cancer. It is also rich in antioxidants that in turn protect you from free radical damage.
Aids digestion
Ghee helps in the secretion of stomach acids that aid digestion,’ says Neha. Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar in her series Indian Food Wisdom and the Art of Eating Right highlights the fact that certain foods such as khichdi, puran poli, etc. need to have ghee to help us digest them better. You can also try these yoga poses to improve digestion.
Used as the natural moisturiser
Ghee is good beauty enhancer as well. If you have chapped lips, apply a drop of the ghee on them before you sleep. In Ayurveda, ghee is used as the moisturising agent by mixing it with water and inspiring it. The process is repeated several times before ghee can be used. And once made, you can store it for up to 6 months to use it frequently.
Melts the stubborn fat
If you have problem areas where fat gets build up quickly, consider adding ghee to the diet. ‘Ghee has necessary amino acids that help to mobilise the fat and allow the fat cells to shrink in size.
Apart from the above benefits, ghee is good for people suffering from the joint pain. It also improves your memory and vision power. As ghee has powerful antiviral and antifungal properties, it reinforce the immune system.
How much is too much?
Ghee is considered to be unhealthy because people do not know how much is too much. Even though it has several benefits, eating unhealthy amounts will only lead to the problems. Learn to draw the line at 2 teaspoons of ghee per day. Also, remember that it is rich in saturated fat and eating too much can enhance your cholesterol levels, affecting the heart .
Who should avoid it?
Al though it has numerous health benefits, people with the heart disease, the high blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity should avoid or get rid of the intake of ghee to prevent further health complications.
Now that you know various benefits of ghee, don’t shy away from spreading a spoonful on your rotis or adding a dollop of it on your dal-chawal.
Photo credit: ljguitar / Source / CC BY