Health Diet In Winter: 9 Reasons Why You Must Eat Jaggery In The Cold Weather

From helping reduce joint pain and inflammation to supporting respiratory health and boosting immunity, jaggery is a must-have in the winter season, especially to combat the ills of severe pollution levels.

Jaggery’s warm properties can help soothe a sore throat, cough, and cold, and other common winter ailments. (Photo: Freepik)

Health Diet In Winter: 9 Reasons Why You Must Eat Jaggery In The Cold Weather — Jaggery’s warm properties can help soothe a sore throat, cough, and cold, and other common winter ailments. (Photo: Freepik)

Eating jaggery in winter season: Jaggery is considered to be one the healthier substitutes for processed sugar. Packed with many health benefits, doctors and nutritionists suggest adding jaggery to diet, and using it to prepare anything sweet, including tea and coffee. In the winter months, it is all the more important to focus on a good diet, which can bolster the immune system and protect a person from seasonal illnesses, including common cold and the flu. At the same time, it is also crucial to engage in activities that keep the body naturally warm and the blood flowing to all the key organs.

For people living in the northern part of the country, in states like Delhi, Haryana, UP and Punjab that are reeling under the effects of severe pollution, jaggery consumption is imperative for good overall health. It is said to combat the ills of air pollution by keeping the body strong from inside. Besides that, it can also ward off many winter ailments and enable a person to stay disease-free, physically-active, and mentally-sound.

The correct way to consume jaggery and make it a part of your winter diet, according to health experts, would be to add 1-2 teaspoons of jaggery daily to your food. You may mix jaggery with warm water or milk to make a soothing drink. As mentioned earlier, add jaggery to your tea, coffee, or desserts, and use it as a natural sweetener instead of refined sugar. Remember to choose organic, unrefined jaggery to reap maximum health benefits.

Health Benefits Of Jaggery Consumption In Winter

Here are nine crucial reasons why you should consume jaggery in the winter season, especially to combat pollution; read on.

Helps reduce stress: Jaggery has adaptogenic properties, which can help reduce stress and anxiety that are common during the winter season when there is a lack of sunlight.
Promotes digestive health: According to dieticians, jaggery can stimulate digestion, relieve constipation, and prevent digestive disorders that lead to common winter problems like constipation.
Natural remedy for joint pain: Jaggery’s anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce joint pain and inflammation that are common during winter.
Natural energy booster: Jaggery is a rich source of iron, which helps increase hemoglobin levels and boost energy. It is much needed in the winter season.
Detoxifies the body: Did you know that jaggery can help remove toxins from the body, which is especially important during winter when pollution levels are high?
Soothes cough and cold: Jaggery’s warm properties can help soothe a sore throat, cough, and cold, and other common winter ailments.
Rich in antioxidants: Jaggery contains antioxidants that can help protect the body from free radicals and oxidative stress caused by pollution.
Supports respiratory health: More importantly, jaggery’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation in the lungs, supporting respiratory health.
Boosts immune system: As mentioned earlier, jaggery contains minerals like zinc and selenium that help boost the immune system, making one more resilient to winter illnesses.

Disclaimer: The above-mentioned information is strictly generic. It is not a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult with a specialist or a doctor for more information pertaining to your health and history, and especially before making changes to your diet.