Incredible Health Benefits of Desi Ghee

Ghee is a household name in India, but barring two or three Asian countries, it is hardly popular anywhere else in the world by that name. It is known in other parts of the world as clarified butter, but its use is very much restricted. In our country, ghee or 'Desi Ghee', as it is very much known as, forms a very indispensable item in cooking as well as on the dining table. The health benefits of ghee are well known to most of the people in our country.

What is 'Ghee’?

Before we delve deeper into the topic, let’s find out what is this 'Ghee' - at least for the benefit of those who are not familiar with this commodity. Ghee is a type of clarified butter, which originated in India, but is also very much used in the neighboring countries for various types of cuisines and sweets. It forms an important part of rituals in India. As ghee is prepared locally in the country, it is popularly known as ‘Desi Ghee’. Ghee adds a lot of flavor to food, and a tablespoon of ghee can replace up to three tablespoons of oil or butter in your recipe.

In a nutshell, Desi ghee offers a number of impressive benefits that include its ability to protect your gastrointestinal system, balance your cholesterol levels, provide additional energy, reduce inflammation in the joints, eliminates certain allergy concerns, protect you from various chronic diseases, improve your eye health, and strengthen your immune system apart from preventing you from certain types of cancer.

What are The Health Benefits of 'Ghee’?

We attribute Desi ghee benefits only to pure homemade ghee that is made with zero preservatives or vegetable fats.

• It is said that regular consumption of pure ghee enhances physical and mental strength, keeps the body healthy, boosts your immune system, and delays ageing. It removes impurities from the body, enhances eyesight, and keeps muscles and tendons healthy. It is a rich source of fat soluble vitamins, which are very essential for healthy bone growth.
• Ghee is full of Vitamins A, D, E, and K, and these vitamins are fat-soluble. It has lots of dietary fats - mostly saturated fats - that help our bodies absorb and make use of these vitamins. It also contains both Omega 3 and Omega 9 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid and lots of phenolic anti-oxidants.
• Our body needs certain fats in our diet in order to perform vital functions, which is provided by ghee. Moreover, Ghee is lactose-free and contains no salt.
• For people with cholesterol problems, ghee is a better option as compared to butter because it is lower in fat than butter, and it is easier to digest.
• Unlike vegetable oils that contain polyunsaturated fats, ghee is composed of saturated fats. Therefore, it has a higher smoke point which means it doesn’t ‘burn’ easily. The very stable saturated bonds do not disintegrate during heating, and that is why Ghee is less likely to break down into dangerous free radicals while cooking.

Specific Benefits of Ghee

Here are a few specific Desi ghee benefits of eating ghee.

For the Skin and Hair:

Ghee is a very good moisturizer for the skin, especially the skin of the face. It nourishes the skin, provides fair complexion, fights dryness of the skin, and makes the skin healthy, glowing and smooth. It provides nourishment to the scalp of the hair, moisturizes and makes the hair silky, black, smooth, strong and long.

For the Heart:

Ghee maintains the blood cholesterol level - it lowers the bad blood cholesterol level and enhances the good blood cholesterol level, and thus helps the heart function well without putting pressure on it. It prevents calcification of arteries by reducing the calcium deposition in the arteries.

Reduces Cholesterol:

While Ghee is not recommended for patients who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, it can help in reducing cholesterol levels in the intestines as well as serum. Desi ghee enhances the secretion of biliary lipids, and being lower in fat as compared to butter, it is a healthier option. But, for patients who are suffering from high cholesterol levels, ghee is not advised.

For Weight Loss and Weight Gain:

Desi ghee offers tremendous benefits, not only for losing weight, but also for weight gain too!

Ghee improves metabolism as it is a good source of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which helps in weight management.

Desi ghee also has the quality of enhancing body weight. Eating Desi ghee regularly helps in enhancing body weight as it increases muscle mass and bone density.

For Digestive System:

Ghee enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins as it contains lower chain fatty acids. It enhances the process of digestion by improving the metabolism process, and regulates bowel movement.

Benefits of Desi Ghee for Kids:

Ghee provides excellent nourishment to kids for their healthy growth and development of all the parts of the body.

Promotes Wound Healing and Cures Diseases:

It is an excellent remedy for the treatment of wounds and burns and prevents disorders like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and neurological disorders. It also reduces risk of brain, and liver disorders and also acts as an anticonvulsant and hepatoprotective agent.

Reduces Inflammation:

Ghee cuts inflammations by reducing the leukotriene secretion as well as prostaglandin, which cause inflammation, and thus prevents swelling and itching.

Fights Free Radicals:

Ghee contains carotenoids and vitamins A and E, which fight free radicals and promote skin cell growth, and good vision.

Benefits of Desi Ghee During Pregnancy:

Ghee provides proper nourishment to both mother and baby, and prevents baby disorders. It prevents the infant from birth defects, bone disorders, and malnutrition.

Benefits of Cow Ghee:

According to the ancient Ayurveda texts, cow ghee benefits are renowned - it is full of essential nutrients, fatty acids, antibacterial, anti fungal, anti-oxidant, and antiviral properties. Cow ghee protects us from a variety of cancers as it activates the enzymes responsible for detoxifying cancer. It is known to be an excellent brain tonic, improves memory power, and intelligence, and is the best for strengthening mental health.