8 Reasons to add ghee in your diet

Pallavi Sawant

Saturday, 19 November 2016 (15:15 IST)
With the new nutrition guidelines by the USA Dietary guidelines, maybe it’s time to move over olive oil. Ghee is making its way back into the kitchen. Ghee, or clarified butter, once a staple ingredient of Indian cooking had lost its sheen because it was deemed unhealthy.  But in reality, it is packed with a myriad health benefits. But first, here’s are some quick facts about our good ol’ desi ghee.
 

Ghee Nutrition Facts

One Tablespoon (15g) of desi ghee contains approximately 135 calories, all of which come from fat. It contains 45% of the daily recommended value of fat. It also contains 45mg cholesterol. Ghee does not contain protein, sugar, fiber or carbohydrates.

Most people would prefer ghee over oils as it scores a lot on the flavor quotient, but there are many more reasons to make the switch to rock your culinary world.

Stable fat for frying and baking
 

Desi ghee is a stable primary saturated fat especially when it comes to deep frying. Ghee has a higher smoke point —which means it will take longer for the fat to get converted into harmful compounds that are not heart-healthy.

 Improves immunity
 

Ghee is loaded with, fat soluble vitamins - A, D, E and K along with antioxidants. Butyric acid, a compound found in ghee, helps in increasing the fighter T cells in the gut. This helps to boost the immune system and protect from a host of diseases, even cancer. Finally, modern science is catching up what Ayurveda has been preaching for years.

 Improves appetite
 

One of the best ghee benefits apart from improving the flavor of a dish. Ghee helps to trigger gastric acid production in the stomach which helps in increasing your appetite and aids in smooth digestion.

Helps to lose weight
 

We’re serious! Ghee contains primary saturated fats that get burned and aid in losing weight. Just make sure you eat in moderation.

Major fertility booster
 

Any balanced diet should contain a good amount of proteins and fats. Indian desi ghee seems to fit the bill perfectly. Fertility hormones like estrogen and progesterone are chemically cholesterols in nature and it only makes sense to consume the raw material to improve chances of conceiving. Ghee also improves the quantity and quality of semen.

Improves your eye health
 

Ghee contains Vitamin A which helps in preventing cataract, and macular degeneration apart from keeping the eyes functioning optimally.

Provides energy and brings positivity to your life
 

Desi ghee contains medium chain of fatty acids that can be absorbed directly by the liver to provide energy to the body. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine promotes the use of ghee as part of sattvic diet that brings on positivity and growth.

Prevents trigger lactose intolerance
 

Since clarified butter is made from milk, the clarification process removes all the milk solids that make ghee lactose-free.

How many dollops?

For a healthy individual, 3 tsp. or 1 tbsp. of ghee per day is enough to reap all these benefits. Remember to eat in moderation.If you need to speak to our nutritionist for more such honest advice, you can find one here on Visit App.

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