Health Benefits of Eating Jaggery

Jaggery is unrefined sugar, obtained from raw, concentrated sugarcane juice. Although Jaggery or gur (as we call it) can be made from other sources, namely from date palm and coconut sap, the Jaggery made from sugarcane juice is the most commonly used in Indian households. It is prepared by boiling sugar cane juice until it solidifies and then, put into blocks.

But why is Jaggery so good for health, you ask?

Remember when our grannies asked us to eat a few grams of Jaggery after a heavy meal or after eating meat because it helps with digestion? Truth is, it works. Jaggery activates the digestive enzymes, thereby speeding up digestion and making the process go very smooth, reducing strain on the intestines and digestive tract. That’s not all. It also detoxifies liver, treats the flu and even helps prevent cough and cold. Plus, it boosts immunity, eases menstrual pain, prevents anaemia, relieves joint pain, cools the stomach, boosts intestinal health and is a great source of energy. Jaggery is rich in minerals and needless to say, a much better alternative to refined sugar.

So we figured we’d share a few simple ways of making Jaggery a part of your everyday consumption:

1. Jaggery can be added to lentils: If the idea seems preposterous, we suggest you think again. Because a small amount of Jaggery will not sweeten the lentils. Instead, it’ll add a rich texture to it and is a great way of consuming Jaggery everyday.
2. Jaggery can be used to make Chikkis: If you’re looking for a great afternoon snack/ home-made energy bar for your children, what can better than chikkis, which can be made using peanuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios. All you have to do is heat the pan, add some butter and Jaggery, stir it till it’s nice and hot and then, add the nuts and let it cool. They are full of energy, are super filling and of course, taste great.
3. Finally, even energy bars can be made out of Jaggery instead of sugar: You can make different varieties of energy bars using Jaggery like an oats bar or even a nutty-fruity bar by playing with different variations of fruits and nuts, depending on what you and your children like.

Just like our Eat Any Time (E.A.T) nutrition bars, now available in Butterscotch flavor, which have been specially created using Jaggery. These energy bars not only taste great but are also very filling, and will give your child all the energy he needs to get through school or tennis practice in the evening.