Is Jaggery Actually Healthier than Sugar?

Whether it is morning tea or coffee, or a dessert after meals, sweeteners are an essential part of our diets. Sugar and jaggery are two commonly used sweeteners with huge differences in their properties and benefits. Though both are produced from sugarcane, they are processed differently. While sugar loses all its nutritional value during the preparation, jaggery retains its nutritional value. Jaggery is considered a superfood as it contains more vitamins and minerals and has low sucrose content when compared to white sugar. Jaggery is gaining popularity because it is more nutritious than sugar and offers various health benefits. 

Why is jaggery healthier than sugar?

• Jaggery contains more nutrients: Jaggery is the unrefined sugar prepared from concentrated sugarcane juice. The molasses are not separated to prepare jaggery, as in the case of sugar. Hence, jaggery has more mineral content, mainly iron. While most of the iron in jaggery comes through its preparation in iron vessels, other minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and selenium come from sugarcane juice. On the other hand, refined white sugar undergoes more processing steps due to which the cane juices are deprived of their vitamin and mineral content. 
• Jaggery is absorbed slowly: Jaggery is a complex sugar with long chains of sucrose. Therefore, it is digested slowly unlike sugar, which is absorbed instantly causing a rapid spike in blood sugar levels.
• Jaggery fulfils the iron requirement of the body: Jaggery is one of the best sources of plant-based iron, vital for improving muscular function and boosting energy. 
• Jaggery prevents weight gain: Jaggery can boost the metabolism, which in turn helps burn fat around the belly faster. Whereas sugar induces sudden blood sugar spikes leading to weight gain.
• Jaggery boosts immunity: Jaggery is packed with antioxidants that aid in building immunity and lowering the risk of certain diseases like cancer and dementia. Antioxidants in jaggery are also known to reduce the signs of aging. Sugar, on the other hand, is a source of empty calories with no nutritional value.
• Jaggery is helpful in treating cold and infections: Jaggery’s cleansing and anti-allergic properties can eliminate toxins and mucus out of the lungs and respiratory tract. It thereby helps treat cold, cough, and asthma. However, sugar has no such properties.

Health effects of sugar

Eating too much sugar can contribute to weight gain, tiredness, and acne. Overconsumption of sugar can also increase the risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart problems.

Other health benefits of jaggery

• Aids digestion
• Flushes out toxins from the liver
• Purifies the blood
• Fights lung and respiratory infections
• Relieves constipation
• Produces heat and increases energy levels
• Eases premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Possesses antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties

Although jaggery is nutritious than sugar, it should be consumed in small quantities due to its high-calorie content. People with diabetes are recommended to avoid jaggery as it has a high glycemic index and can cause a sudden spike in sugar levels.

Conclusion

Research shows that jaggery is superior to white sugar as it provides immediate energy to the body. It has cleansing properties that help clear the lungs and respiratory tract. Other health benefits of jaggery include improved immunity, anaemia prevention, and improved digestive health. Experts recommend switching from white or refined sugar to jaggery to enhance immunity and lower the risk of certain diseases. 

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