Ghee or clarified butter is a heavy, dense and soft liquid that is often used as a substitute for oil and butter. It is the most refined end product of milk and is known to balance Vata and Pitta Dosha in the body. Rich in many vitamins and minerals, ghee offers numerous health benefits to the body and mind, especially during winters.
Benefits of Ghee in Winters
- Keeps the Body Warm:
According to Ayurveda, ghee is a warming food and is highly rich in fat. Eating ghee every day can help to keep your body warm and healthy during winters.
- Improves Immunity:
Rich in antioxidants and essential fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D, K, E and A, ghee is an excellent food to build immunity and strengthen your immune system.
- Boosts Metabolism:
Ghee is one of the best sources of butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid that helps to reduce inflammation and improve the digestive system. It is also highly effective in stimulating stomach acid secretion, which further strengthens digestion in the body, thereby boosting metabolism and aiding in weight loss.
- Treats Cold and Cough:
Cold and cough are a few of the most prevalent health problems during winters. Many people also suffer from a mucus-filled nose as the temperature starts falling. Ayurveda recommends doing Nasya with ghee during winters to treat and prevent cold, cough and congestion. In this remedy, a few drops of warm pure cow ghee is poured inside the nostrils to block the entrance of unwanted particles and clear the nasal passage.
- Improves Digestion:
Ghee is loaded with vitamins A, D, E and K, all of which help to strengthen digestive health. It also aids in stimulating the acid secretion in the stomach, further helping to digest food. Additionally, ghee is also known to heal the gastrointestinal mucosa, regulate healthy bowel movement and inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria, consequently treating many gastrointestinal problems.
- Enhances Memory:
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, ghee is a natural detoxifying agent that helps to improve memory and boost the functioning of the brain and nervous system.
- Boosts Energy:
During winters, you tend to feel sluggish and less active. One of the best ways to boost your energy levels is to eat ghee. Ghee contains medium and short-chain fatty acids, such as lauric acid, which are highly effective in improving the energy levels of your body.
- Improves Skin Health:
In winters, your skin may get dry and itchy due to a lack of moisture. Rich in vital fatty acids, ghee helps moisturise, nourish and hydrate the skin cells while also improving overall skin health.
- Treats Constipation:
In winters, people generally eat a low-fibre diet and consume less water. It can cause irregular bowel movements and lead to constipation. As a natural laxative, ghee helps to improve the intestinal system and remove waste from the body, thereby relieving constipation.
- Keeps the Joints Healthy:
A fall in the temperature can cause inflammation in the joints and increase joint pain due to poor blood circulation. Ghee is loaded with vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus, all of which help to strengthen bones and relieve joint pain.
The Takeaway
Ghee is an Ayurvedic superfood that must be added to your diet during winters. It helps cure many winter problems such as dry skin, joint pain, cough, cold, constipation, etc. It also helps to keep your body warm, boost your immunity and improve your digestion.
