GHEE – AN ESSENTIAL POWERFOOD

Originated in Ancient India,  commonly used in South Asian and Arabic cuisines,  a traditional medicine and also commonly used in Religious rituals, is a dietary fat – GHEE or clarified butter. The word “Ghee” comes from a Sanskrit word meaning “Sprinkled” and basically means that milk fat is rendered from butter to separate milk solids and water. Its made by melting butter and skimming the fat off of the top. This leaves behind a yellow liquid when its hot and a creamy looking solid once ghee cools down.

WHY GHEE OVER BUTTER AND OTHER OILS?

• Since ghee has a higher smoking point over any other source of fat, it will not break down easily into free radicals while cooking.
• It does not need any kind of refrigeration, hence it does not get spoilt easily.
• Ghee is made from butter. However, since both milk solids and impurities have been removed, ghee is not likely to affect people who are lactose intolerant.

GHEE FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

Since the food industry has been focusing on all kinds of fats, wrapping your arms around the fat phenomena is more difficult. But in order to lose weight and burn fat, you must EAT FAT TO BURN FAT. Being better than butter and also more essential is why we should include ghee in our daily diets for weight loss, but of course in moderation.

Rich in oil soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and E, ghee is known to ignite the gall bladder. With the main function of the gall bladder storing bile, it helps the body break down the ingested fat and digest it. This makes it easier for meals to get digested and in turn increases one’s metabolism.

Ghee is also rich in conjugated linoleic acid and the highest source of butyric acid, both of which have antioxidant, antiviral properties and also known to have other positive health benefits in the body. In addition, ghee contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s), which help the body burn calories and thus stimulate weight loss. They are also known to promote fat oxidation and decrease hunger.

OTHER BENEFITS OF GHEE:

• Rebuilds your Gut: Since our intestines already make butyric acid, adding ghee to our daily diet, surely makes it more better. Butyric acid increases immunity, kills bad bacteria in the gut and speeds the performance of good microbes. Additionally, the body will be able to absorb all the vitamins and omega oils from ghee.
• Glow your skin with Ghee: Our skin absorbs everything we put on it. When using ghee internally the skin radiates through the healthy assimilation of fats into the body and balances digestion. Ghee can also be applied directly onto the skin, and is revered for its external healing properties, too. This slows the ageing process.
• Builds a more bendy body: Ghee being high in linoleic acid, an essential omega 6 fatty acid, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis treatments to help lubricate the joints. It has also been shown to help promote lean muscle mass and is an ally for combating diseases from cancer to asthma.
• Positive food: Ghee is considered to be one of the most Satvic foods. Satvic foods promote positivity, growth and expansion of consciousness.

HOW MUCH GHEE TO INCLUDE PER DAY?

Coming with an array of benefits, having about 2 teaspoons of ghee everyday would be a good option. However, it is not well recommended to consume ghee in unhealthy amounts and one must learn to draw the line at 2 teaspoons a day.

Many ‘health-conscious’ people dismiss adding ghee to food as they believe it is an unhealthy practice. But, now that you know about the myriad of benefits of ghee, don’t shy away from spreading it on your rotis or adding it on to your dal – chawal.