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Ghee has been an intrinsic part of the Indian diet for ages, but the importance of ghee or ghrita as a part of our daily nutrition is slowly declining. It is often considered harmful to health. It somehow has become unpopular and is not favoured by people following the ‘modern’ lifestyle. But, before one adds or removes something from their diet, especially something that has been used for centuries by our ancestors, it is essential to ask if it is that bad for you? For example, is ghee terrible for your health, and are the concerns about its effects on your body true? Dr Anirudha Mohite, Ayurveda Head, NirogStreet, answer these questions.
Ghee Is Not Bad For Health
While the mainstream health industry argues against ghee (or ghrita) and touts it as unnecessary fat, Ayurveda healthcare advocates that it is an excellent source of nutrition for the body. Yes, it is a form of fat, but if you trust the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda, one can rest assured that having ghee will not result in a gain of inches around your waist. This is not a claim without validation, and the underlying science is that ghee has short-chain fatty acids and a very high boiling point. Thus these fatty acids do not break down into free radicals even if you use them for deep frying food. Plus, when it enters your system, it nourishes your body and contributes to the wellness of your mind. The fact is that many Ayurvedic medicines are prepared with ghee as the primary ingredient.
It All Starts In The Gut
When one consumes ghee, it acts as suitable lubrication to help the movement of stools. In addition, having ghee leads to more butyric acid in your system, which keeps your digestion strong and helps build immunity. Therefore, ghee is considered a Sattvic food per Ayurveda, and cow’s ghee has been given particular importance in traditional Ayurveda medicine.
Can People With Lactose Intolerance Have Ghee?
A growing number of people worldwide are being found to be lactose intolerant. However, this condition has nothing to do with ghee. During making ghee, the milk solids or lactose parts of the milk are removed. This makes the final product fit for consumption for those whose guts do not react well to dairy products.
Weight Loss And Ghee
Ghee is undoubtedly good fat. It provides nourishment to your body and helps burn the fat in the body. Ghrita enema is a common practice amongst Ayurveda practitioners, as this process leads to detoxification in the body. So, get rid of the misconception that having ghee would derail weight loss.
It is suggested that one can safely consume about three teaspoons or one tablespoon of ghee in a day. So, trust the Ayurveda healthcare science, start including at least one teaspoon of ghee in your diet today, and see the change in your health. Ayurveda brings thousands of years of knowledge and wisdom. Its ancient yet effective methods are very relevant even in the changing lifestyle. Used right, it could be beneficial in healing and preventing diseases. So, trust the ancient science of Ayurveda for a healthier and happier life.
