Shuttershock.com/ David Cabrera Navarro
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To ghee or not to ghee?
The Keto diet has brought valuable information to the public about healthy fats. With an increased demand for healthier products to fit into this lifestyle comes the clarified butter called ghee. The product came from India and has been around since ancient times. Though it’s only been in the states for a few years, people cannot seem to get enough of it. It’s good for your gut, your brain, and helps folks lose weight. However, what is this golden elixir they call ghee?
Understanding ghee
Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean cultures have used ghee for centuries in their cooking. Some civilizations believe it has healing powers. You may be hearing about this for the first time, but it has roots that stem back to 2000 B.C. The Southern India natives wanted to preserve their butter to keep it from going bad in summer’s sweltering heat, so they used a clarification process to preserve it.
The heating process is lengthy so that the product has a deep, rich, nutty flavor when it’s finished. Experts begin with grass-fed butter and simmer it slowly. The goal is to evaporate any moisture and remove any milk solids that could cause spoiling. Clarified butter is not ghee, though they are similar. The difference is that clarified butter is removed from the heat before you would remove ghee, which gives it a different flavor and a lower burning point.
Why is ghee superior to other fats?
Ghee has many health benefits. It can help you to improve your digestion, assists with bone density, and can promote healthy skin. Butter burns at around 350 ℉, but ghee doesn’t reach its smoke point till it gets to 485℉. Why does the higher heat point matter? It all comes down to the nutrients. When the smoke point is low, it kills off all the good fats and nutrients. Additionally, it creates free radicals that are known to harm the body, not help. So by having a higher smoke point, it allows you to get the nutritional benefits.
The health benefits of ghee
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Why is ghee so good for you? Well, it helps to aid in digestion, can curb inflammation, boost gut health, and can prevent things like Alzheimer’s and IBS. Some research says it can even stave off certain cancers. Another benefit is that once the butter has been clarified, ghee is lactose-free. We cannot forget the vitamins it’s rich in either. It has Vitamins K, E, and A, which means your hair will never look better, your eyesight will improve, and your bones will strengthen with regular use.
How to use ghee?
Ghee is excellent for just about any type of cooking. You can use it to sauté vegetables, enhance the flavor of your baked goods, and in stir-fries. Did you know that companies are using this clarified butter in their skincare products? It makes a great oil base and is very soothing to the skin.
Is ghee right for you? Many find that it’s an easy butter or cooking oil substitution with a ton of health benefits. Its flavor is lovely, and it won’t hurt people that are lactose intolerant. You should try it and see if you like it. You may find it’s the perfect way to get more healthy fats into your diet.
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