Is Ghee a glee? Let’s get in.
Cow ghee is a prized nutrition of ancient Indian Ayurveda used over centuries as overall health-promoting nutrition with therapeutic value. Various ghee formulations deliver precise health benefits, from enhancing brain and cognition to skin and eye health. Modern science has come with parallel health benefits, albeit with limited human trials. Whether you believe in Ayurveda or modern science, Ghee is on its way to benefit you.
If you are searching to find the answer to the question: Is it okay to eat Ghee daily? The answer is a resounding “yes,” by science, with the disclaimer that some people need restrictions not to eat Ghee. It is Grandma’s “cure for all.” In rural areas, it is mothers’ quick remedy and therapy for many ailments. When eating Ghee, limit the consumption to 1.5 tablespoons daily to realize the health benefits. Ghee is high calorie and can make you obese if overeaten.
Ghee is called clarified butter and is banned in the United States. However, they are available online for anyone to purchase quickly.
We blog about Ghee’s global benefits to our health.
Picture of Cow ghee health benefits: Global Health Benefits of Ghee in Skin, Stomach, Heart, Brain, Bone, Immunity, Eye, Reproductive Health, Wound healing and Diabetic health.
Ghee Supports Overall Health- Which Type is the Best?
Ghee facts:
Cow ghee is pure animal fat.
It contains 130 calories/ 15 mL (1 tablespoon). It comprises Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 in a health-benefiting ratio, and they are butyrates (small chain fatty acid- SCFA) with no harmful trans-fatty acids, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K, with no sugar, carbohydrate, and fiber. It may contain a small amount of milk or casein. Pure cow ghee is yellow with a pleasing nutty aroma and stronger than butter.
Ghee is an anti-inflammatory cooking oil.
Before discussing its benefits, let’s understand the restrictions of eating Ghee and who shouldn’t.
What Are the Restrictions of Eating Ghee?
Do not have Ghee if you have chronic indigestion and stomach issues like IBS-D. – Ghee is kapha increasing: Avoid Ghee during fevers, especially the seasonal ones. – Pregnant women should take double the care when having Ghee. If you are overweight/obese during pregnancy, reduce your consumption of Ghee. By default, always consult your physician to be on the safe side.
Eating Ghee regularly (not overeating) offers multiple benefits.
Image of Multiple Health Benefits of Ghee: Skin, Stomach, Heart, Brain, Immunity, Eye, Reproductive Health, Wound Healer, Diabetic health
Let’s start with the largest organ of our body -The skin, and the ambassador of your health.
Skin Health-Supports Skin Vitality
Ghee is a natural moisturizer to glow skin and promote healthy aging from within, per Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic ghee formulations can freely penetrate the skin and act favorably to generate healthy skin. Cow ghee is a natural ointment base for preparing various Ayurvedic formulations. They showed good spreadability, extrudability, and solubility, indicating their effectiveness without side effects.
All these skin-nourishing properties, such as the desired combination ratio of omega 6 to 3 with no trans version present and Vitamins D, A, and E as natural antioxidants, protect the skin against free radical provocation. They all help enhance skin complexation as a healthy package.
Side effects: Topical application of Ghee can clog the skin’s pores, inhibiting toxin removal through sweating. It can act as a breeding ground for bacterial infection and lead to acne formation. Acne occurs when hair follicles become blocked with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria.
We prefer Ayurveda formulations to tailor their delivery to avoid side effects.
In any case, consult with your healthcare team when using Ghee regularly.
Stomach Health
Ghee is rich in butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SFA) with many beneficial effects. It
- Improves the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
- Reduces harmful bacteria that cause infection and inflammation.
- SFA stimulates bile acid production, sequestering cholesterol and eliminating feces.
- It helps digestion and eases bowel movement by removing toxins. Ease of digestion and eliminating toxins is an effective way to promote good health.
Contrary to the general belief, eating Ghee, a high concentration of monosaturated omega-3, helps a healthy heart. It reduces plaque buildup risk—however, your dose counts when you live a sedentary life.
According to the American Heart Association, saturated fat should make up no more than 7% of your daily calories. For someone who consumes 2,000 calories daily, no more than 140 calories should come from saturated fat. This is equivalent to about 1.5 tablespoons of Ghee.
- It lowers the LDL (harmful) cholesterol levels and increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels. A study found that people who consumed 35 g of Ghee daily for eight weeks had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels than those who did not.
- Another study found that ghee consumption was associated with a reduced risk of heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Ghee is free from trans fats and hydrogenated oils, which are known to be harmful to heart health. This makes Ghee a heart-friendly option compared to some other cooking fats.
Does Consumption of Ghee Make Stronger Bones and Resist Bone Fracture Risks?
Ghee contains vitamin K2, phosphorus, Calcium, and Vitamin D- a cumulative rich resource for strong bone performance.
Thanks to the nutrients. But, hey! How does cow ghee get this bone nutrition? It is this specially-made Ghee that benefits your bones and health.
A desi cow (not a hybrid jersey), grazing grass (not treated with urea or other pesticides) under affluent Vitamin D-producing sunlight, producing milk could be suitable. It is converted to curd, which is churned to get the butter. This butter is clarified under heating, where the milk solids get separated. Then, it is filtered off from the solid, and Ghee (filtrate) carries the bone-healthy nutrients.
It has excellent fat content that lowers the risk of joint pain in healthy people. Health practitioners claim that consumption lubricates joints and helps move and keep them functional.
This form of Ghee has Vitamin K2, essential for bone health by supercharging Calcium. It pulls Calcium from the blood into the bone cells. This Calcium makes bone stronger.
You know how essential Calcium is for bones; now you know K2 in Ghee does it. Also, Vitamin D helps absorb Calcium, which is necessary for bone health.
Ayurveda supports ghee consumption, benefitting Joint health. How About Medical Science?
In Ayurveda, keeping the joints well-lubricated is believed to support joint health. Cow ghee is considered to have lubricating properties, which can help maintain joint flexibility, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and ease movement. The book “The Ayurvedic Guide to Healthy Aging” by Vasant Lad.” illustrates this.
Another book: “The Healing Power of Ghee” by DK Publishing” states that Ghee is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for bone and joint problems. It is said to help relieve pain and inflammation.
A third book: “Ghee: The Miracle Food” by Amadea Morningstar. This book also states that Ghee is beneficial for bone and joint health. It is said to help absorb essential nutrients and minerals for bone health.
These ancient texts used cow ghee from cows that freely moved in sunlight eating grass, with no hormone-added food or injections; they do not exist now or may be very limited. The nutritional composition may vary by a wide range. So, the Ghee available now may not be the same then. However, in a broader context, the function may be similar.
Does Eating Ghee Help you have a Sharper brain and better Congition and Neuro health:
Ghee is considered to be a brain and nerve tonic in Ayurveda. It is believed to improve memory, concentration, and learning ability. Ghee is also said to help protect the nerves from damage and improve circulation to the brain.
Ghee is a sattvic food that benefits the brain and nervous system. It is said to help improve memory, concentration, and intelligence. – From the ancient text on Ayurveda. Charak Sanhita
It is said to help protect the nerves from damage and improve circulation to the brain.- From another ancient text on Ayurveda – Sushruta Samhita
A few animal trials in medical science support ghee’s brain health, which may not relate to humans.
However, more research is needed to prove the effect of ghee consumption on humans.
If you plan to follow Ayurveda, we recommend you consult and talk to a legitimate practitioner to help in your decision and advise you.
Eye Health: Improve Computer Vision Syndrome by Eating Ggghrita
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/229679431.pdf
Wound Healing
Get shiny and Healthy Hair by Eating Ghee
Eating Ghee helps have healthy hair working from within.
- A super rich in fatty acids and as an antioxidant, it acts as a natural conditioner for dry and frizzy hair.
- Proper hydration of the scalp and hair follicles is essential for maintaining shine and preventing dryness. A study published in the journal “Dermatology and Therapy” found that Ghee can help to nourish hair and make it shiny and healthy. [19]
- Another study, published in the journal “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology,” found that Ghee can help to protect the hair from damage. [20]
It is important to note that more research is needed to confirm the benefits of Ghee for all of these health parameters. However, the evidence suggests that Ghee may be a beneficial addition to the diet for people looking to improve their health and well-being.
It is also vital to consume Ghee in moderation, as it is high in saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to less than 7% of total calories.
Cow Ghee: Immunity, Strength, and Sexual Health
As per Ayurvedic doctors and health experts, Ghee adds to the Ojas (Vigor) in the body. It is a vital biological energy in the system that connects tissues responsible for crucial sexual functions and overall health.
Ghee improves overall health if taken consistently in proper amounts.
Disclaimer: Consult your health practitioner and dietician to discuss your health and follow their recommendation on daily ghee use.
Let us know your experience if you are a regular user of ghee. We would love to hear your questions and comments.
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