Do you know what ghee is? Are you aware of the possible health benefits it may give you? If you are, you’re lucky. The health benefits of ghee are amazing, affecting your overall health. Although it can be unhealthy if you don’t control your consumption, a controlled amount of ghee can be great for you! If you want to dig deeper and learn more about this clarified butter called ghee, give this article a read!
Ghee: What Is It?
One of the most beloved foods in the whole wide world might be butter. This is probably because it makes everything taste good! However, there are some amazing alternatives to it that have been around for a while now.
Ghee is a clarified type of butter, which means it has been cooked into a particular concentrate, and the residue has already been removed, leaving only a pure mixture of fats. This means there is no milk left in it, and it doesn’t need to be refrigerated. It can last for months, even years, without being refrigerated. This has made it a popular food throughout history.
Originally from India, ghee is now common in many countries, primarily throughout Asia and parts of Africa. Ghee has a unique aroma and taste which differentiates it from butter, but it can be used in pretty much the same way.
Butter can be dangerous due to its high fat content, and ghee is no exception to this. In fact, because ghee is pure fat, you must consume even less of it, or it can have many negative health effects. When eaten in moderation, though, ghee may provide the body with higher levels of certain nutrients not available in butter.
Nutritional Value of Ghee
The health benefits of ghee come from it nutrients, which include a high amount of fats and an extra dose of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins K, E and A.
A tablespoon of ghee butter may have:
- Vitamin K: 1 micrograms
- Vitamin E: 4 milligrams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Vitamin A: 391 IU
- Fat: 7 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Calories: 112
Health Benefits of Ghee
Here are some of the best health benefits of ghee:
- Helps boost immunity: the butyric acid (the most significant element in ghee) helps stimulate the production T-cells, which boost the immune system.
- Helps take care of the eyes: there is a significant level of vitamin A in ghee. The carotenoids in the fruit are also antioxidants, which specialize in eliminating and neutralizing the free radicals in the body, which attack the cells in the eyes. Therefore, it helps prevent the onset of macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Helps eliminate free radicals: as touched on above, the vitamin A and carotenoids are free radical eliminators, making ghee a powerful tool for preventing cancer.
- Helps reduce inflammation: the butyric acid in ghee helps reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Good for the heart: even though most people think butter is a contributor to body fat, the rich amount of fats in ghee may help provide a healthy boost to the heart. Moreover, the omega-3 fatty acids in it are also beneficial in reducing bad cholesterol and providing an energetic balance to the intake of fat.
- Helps reduce allergies: since ghee is dairy free, those who are lactose intolerant may still enjoy eating a flavorful butter substitute without worrying about gastrointestinal problems.
Cautions
Ghee offers many ideal health benefits, but consuming it uncontrollably can have the reverse effect. After all, it is purely made of fat. Always make sure you are sticking to your daily recommended intake!
