If you are one of those trying to reduce weight, you are certain you have removed fat from your diet and the first thing to go off the kitchen shelf is ghee, also called clarified butter. Correct? If you are nodding your head in yes, then you need to read this.
Nutritionist and Dietician Avni Kaul says that the ghee that you have removed has not only plenty of nutritional health benefits but can also assist you to lose weight. Yes, you read it right, ghee is no culprit for those extra pounds, rather it can assist you to get rid of that extra kilos.
Fats Available In Ghee
Mostly used in Indian meals, ghee is 99.9% fat and almost 1% moisture with few fat-soluble vitamins and charred milk protein fractions. Ghee is made with saturated fat and hence, it does not get spoiled when placed at room temperature.
How Ghee Is Made
When churned butter gets clarified, it forms ghee. It can be prepared using cow, buffalo and goat milk. Though majorly it is made of using cow’s milk. The ghee prepared at home by clarification of milk fats is known as desi ghee. The homemade ghee remains good for longer because of the availability of phospholipids, that are missing in commercially prepared ghee.
DHA In Ghee
It has been found that ghee is an excellent source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). DHA is the topmost omega 3 fatty acid. Omega 3 is the important fat that you need to consume from your diet as your body cannot make it. Walnuts, flaxseeds and fish oils are a few good sources of omega 3 fatty acid.
DHA can assist reduce the risk of specific conditions such as cancer, heart attack, insulin resistance, arthritis and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Ghee In Ayurveda
From Ayurveda’s perspective, ghee contributes to longevity and safeguards the body from several diseases. Besides that, it is supposed that ghee nourishes and lubricates the joints and boosts the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.
What Does Science Say?
1 to 2 small spoons of ghee is the recommended amount daily. It is suggested to have ghee if you are looking to reduce weight mainly because it is high in amino acids and supports to shrink the size of fat cells.
However, ghee is almost 99.9% fat thus the quantity should be watched, anything excess of 2 spoons is not advisable.
Also, if you are having other sources of omega 3 such as flaxseeds, walnuts or fish oil you actually might not need ghee as a source of omega 3.
Ghee In Weight Loss
Because ghee is high in omega 3 fats (DHA) and omega 6 (CLA), it could be great for weight reduction. Omega 6 fats have been seen to increase lean body mass while lowering the fat mass. Ghee also aids in mobilizing fat cells to be burnt for energy.
Ghee is filled with essential amino acids that can reduce the size of fat cells. Having ghee can be beneficial if your body accumulates fat rapidly. Also, omega 3 fatty acid in ghee could assist you to lose inches and eventually help you shed those extra kilos.
Additional Benefits
Butyric acid inside ghee along with vitamins like A, D, E and K support in boosting immunity, improves gut health, assists in keeping your hair healthy, strengthens your bones and improves eye health. Ghee also removes toxins from your system.
Conclusion
Though yes, ghee has several nutritional benefits and can assist you in weight loss, anything excessive is bad and the same applies to ghee. It should be consumed in moderation because it is high in saturated fats. It is fine to consume 1 to 2 tablespoons of ghee a day, to reap the maximum benefits.
Avni Kaul is Founder of Nutriactivania with Masters Degree in Food and Nutrition from University of Delhi and is also a Certified Diabetes Educator from Project Hope and International Diabetes Federation. She is a Leicester Mammas Ambassador trained in Lactation Counselling with NHS United Kingdom. Mammas support pregnant and new mothers and their families. Specializations of Avni Kaul Include Infant and Young Child Feeding Practises, Pre and Post natal diets, Fat loss, Muscle Gain and Holistic Health and Nutrition