People often go gaga over fancy cooking oils. But little do they know about the health benefits of pure ghee, which is a staple in Indian households.
While in the past, ghee has had a bad reputation in the nutrition world, recent research has found numerous health benefits of consuming pure ghee. Of course, when consumed within portion control.
The health benefits of pure ghee
Pure ghee or clarified butter has been a part of the Indian staple diet for thousands of years and it makes everything taste so delicious.
Here are some amazing health advantages of consuming pure ghee 'but' within moderation:
1.Beneficial for individuals with high cholesterol levels
Pure ghee is a good source of healthy fat for individuals with high cholesterol level. Research studies have found that consumption of ghee helps in lowering the level of LDL and VLDL cholesterol, which is also known as the 'bad cholesterol'. A drop in the triglyceride level was also observed in the study.
Such an action of ghee is attributed to the presence of 'Conjugated Linoleic Acid' (CLA) in it. It further enhances the excretion of bile acids, a substance required for the digestion of fat, which is made from cholesterol.
As bile acid is eliminated, the body uses cholesterol to produce it again. This prevents entry of excess cholesterol in the blood and keeps it in check.
2.Enhances the memory
Traditional texts have reported that pure ghee is beneficial for memory and mental alertness. It strengthens the brain and nervous system. The human brain is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which in turn can cause damage to the brain.
Ghee enhances the action of the natural antioxidant defence system and protects the brain against attack by free radicals.
3.Protects the heart
People often feel that ghee is a harmful food ingredient for their heart health. But this may not be true. The use of pure ghee as cooking oil may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases because it causes a rise in the blood HDL level or the good cholesterol.
HDL cholesterol takes the bad cholesterol away from the bloodstream. Hence, it prevents the formation of clots in the arteries and ensures smooth blood flow. Scientific studies have also found that pure ghee is a healthier option as compared to vegetable oils.
4. Helps fight Oxidative stress
Oxidative stress is the root cause of various diseases and disorders. Antioxidants are required to fight against oxidative stress and to protect the body against their harmful effects.
Adding pure ghee to your regular diet increases the activity of natural antioxidants in the body. Such an antioxidant effect is attributed to the presence of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in pure ghee.
CLA offers protection to the cells against oxidants by improving the natural antioxidant defense system of the body.
5. Improves gut health
Individuals with gastrointestinal disorders often have a problem in digesting fat. Pure ghee heals the gut by protecting the inner lining of the digestive tract.
It is rich in short-chain fatty acid that nourishes the cells of the intestine and helps in the production of healthy bacteria, which heal the gut and protect it against damage.
Read: The one Indian staple that MUST be a part of your child's diet
References:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215354/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3766171/
www.researchgate.net/publication/281067332_Natural_Antioxidant_Use_in_Ghee-A_Mini_Review
www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.researchgate.net/publication/288483184_Myths_and_facts_about_consumption_of_ghee_in_relation_to_heart_problems_-_A_comparative_research_study/amp
