When I went to the market with my father every week, he usually points to a brown coloured ball like eatables in a sack called “Karupatti“.
I will make a face because it looks bad and not delicious, not attractive like those unhealthy snacks! But now I thank my dad to explain the wonderful benefits of karupatti (Palm Jaggery).
It was originally made from the sugary sap of Palmyra Palm.The taste of palm jaggery has a chocolate like taste and contains a large number of vitamins and minerals.
When compared to refined sugar, the minerals in palm jaggery still remains even the manufacturing process is completed.
It is widely used in Asia, Africa and some parts of America. It is considered as a storehouse of many minerals like Iron, magnesium, phosporous and potassium.
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Benefits of Palm Jaggery
1. Improves Digestion
Easy Digestion
One of the main advantages of palm jaggery is that it favours easy digestion. It acts as a detox for removing unwanted particles in the liver, and cleans the system by removing toxins in our body.
It should be consumed in a medium quantity to keep the stomach cool. Don’t overeat palm jaggery in winter seasons to catch cold.
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2. Effective During Pregnancy
One of the biggest reasons behind low birth weight babies is poor nutrition. Eating jaggery is practised in India. Eating jaggery 7 months before delivery is so beneficial for the mom. It successfully purifies breast milk by removing impurities.
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3. Palm Jaggery Reduces Menstrual Cramps
Eating jaggery during menstruation is like ” what!”. Research says that it releases endorphins and relax your body and relieving aches and cramps.
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4. Are You A Regular Customer For Cold?
Cold
Try out by dropping a piece of jaggery in lukewarm water and drink it up. It also gives a complete cure of cough and cold. Replace jaggery in your morning tea instead of refined sugar.
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5. Palm Jaggery Prevents Anemia
Jaggery is rich in both iron and folate, which helps to prevent anaemia, ensure that your normal hemoglobin counts are maintained. Therefore, It provides instant energy to our body!
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6. Maintain Blood Pressure
Palm jaggery contains both potassium and sodium which play a important role in maintaining the acid levels in our body thereby, maintaining pressure of the blood flow.
It also reduces water retention in your body. Water retention is due to accumulation of fluid in the extracellular spaces which ends up in swelling of legs, hands and face.
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7. Are You Out Of Your Normal Size?
“Jaggery is a great source of potassium which is responsible for maintaining the acid levels in our body and build new muscles and boosts metabolism to reduce weight!“
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8. Do You Suffer From Migraine?
One of my best friend’s aunty is suffering from migraine. So, What is migraine exactly? It is characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches and also result in neurological symptoms.
Generally, it is unilateral and common in women. During a migraine attack, the brain has a very low level of magnesium.
Further, Low magnesium concentration has a serious effect on serotinin receptors, nitric oxide, NMDA receptors and neurotransmitter.
Above all, an iron deficiency, in brain may result in ineffecient O2 supply to the brain. Jaggery is one of the best home remedies for early migrane attacks.
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8. Can Diabetics Add Palm Jaggery In Their Diet?
I have come across many diabetics elders asking “Can I eat jaggery sweets or add jaggery in milk?”
The answer is NOO! The solid residue is less refined when compared to sugar and it contains essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium.
But that doesn’t mean that people with high sugar level can eat jaggery or jaggery will reduce the blood sugar level! It contains a lot of sugar, 65-85% of sucrose.
The only difference is that jaggery takes time to get absorbed in your body.People who don’t have diabetes can add jaggery instead of sugar to prevent diabetes!Ayurvedha has listed ad jaggery as an offender for a diabetic’s diet.
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9. Want A Flawless Skin?
So, Do you have acne and blackheads? In fact, By taking jaggery regularly, acne and blackheads become invisible.
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10. Recipes You Can Make Out Of Palm Jaggery
In addition of adding it in water or tea and drinking it, I would like to tell about a favourite dish done by mom using jaggery.
SWEET AND HOT CHICKEN CURRY (serves two)
Ingredients:
- 500 g of marinated chicken.
- 50-100 g of jaggery
- 2 teaspoons of dhaniya powder
- 2 onions – paste
- Puree made from 2 tomatoes
- 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp – chilli powder
- 1 lemon
- Salt to taste.
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HOW TO MAKE SWEET AND HOT CHICKEN CURRY IN 5 EASY STEPS
- In a pan, heat some oil and add onion paste.
- When water is absorbed, add ginger garlic paste, dhaniya powder, garam masala, chilli powder and turmeric powder.
- After that keep Simmer for 2-3 mins and add jaggery and tomato puree.
- Once jaggery is melted, add chicken pieces and salt to taste.
- Cover the lid, till chicken pieces are nice and soft. Squeeze lemon over it when cooled (and there my mouth is drooling!)
- At last you Serve with rice or chapathi.
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Word of Caution
If you are diabetic or any having any other health related problems, keep in mind that this product has not undergone rigorous scientific study and is not based on any medical advice.
https://www.standardcoldpressedoil.com/palm-jaggery
Always discuss with your doctor before adding a change in your diet.
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