The Nutritional Value & Health Benefits of Desi ghee 

Desi ghee is a type of clarified butter, also known as drawn butter, used in Indian cooking. Many households in India use homemade ghee drawn from cow milk. The clarification process separates the milk solids and water from the fat. When making desi cow ghee, the butter is cooked until the milk solids turn brown. The cooking process helps ghee get a nuttier and richer flavor than butter. In Indian cooking, desi ghee enhances the taste and nutrition of home-cooked food.

Nutritional Values of Desi Ghee
Just like cooking oils and butter, desi ghee is rich in fats. One tablespoon of ghee comes to 130 calories; there are 15 grams of fat. Out of these 15 grams, 9 grams are saturated fat, 5 grams are monounsaturated fat, and less than 1 gram is polyunsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are good for the body. Saturated fats may only be consumed in small amounts. Homemade ghee tends to have trace amounts of protein, as the whey is not 100% separated from the butter. Ghee also contains small amounts of vitamins A, E, and K.

Health Benefits of Ghee
Cow ghee is a source of nutrition and good health in the Indian culture. It is known to enhance memory, strength, immunity, and improve digestion. Here are a few essential health benefits of including organic desi ghee in your diet: 

1. Strengthens the Digestive System – Ghee is a rare food product rich in butyric acid. Butyric acid helps break down food making it easier to digest and supports your digestive system enabling your body to produce the digestive enzymes it needs. If you have digestive issues, short-chain fatty acids can help heal and soothe your digestive tract and improve your digestion.
2. Promotes Growth in Babies & Young Children – Using homemade or high-quality ghee, such as A2 desi ghee, in baby food can help babies grow stronger and healthier. Ghee has strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that boost immunity and strengthens muscles and bones. For young children, serve chapattis with desi ghee or drizzle it over rice.
3. Relief From Constipation – Those who suffer from chronic constipation may find relief by including ghee in their daily diet. One teaspoon of desi ghee per day can help improve digestion and help you with constipation.
4. Balances Blood Sugar Levels – People with diabetes are usually advised to avoid ghee. The truth is that ghee aids metabolism and helps those living with diabetes. Ghee is known to stimulate insulin production to regulate blood sugar levels better. Even though people with diabetes will always need to avoid consuming sugar, including a small quantity of ghee in your daily diet can help keep your blood sugar level in check.
5. Excellent Source of Healthy Fats – Desi cow ghee is an excellent source of healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Healthy fats are easier to digest and energize the body. Using a small quantity of ghee in everyday cooking can help improve heart health, reduce cholesterol, and expel toxins from your body.
6. Helps Cure Thyroid Dysfunction – In Ayurveda, desi ghee is an essential ingredient in medicines. It is used to treat various conditions, including thyroid disorders. Rich in Vitamin K2, ghee plays a vital role in regulating the production of hormones in the human body. If you have hypothyroidism, consuming a small quantity of ghee daily will help stimulate the TSH receptor sites and boost the thyroid hormone production in your body.
7. Improves Eyesight – Vitamin A in desi ghee is good for eyesight and improving vision. Some Ayurvedic doctors add Triphala or Honey to the ghee before application to boost eyesight. Ayurveda recommends ‘Tarpana’ – a procedure wherein ghee is applied around the eyes to strengthen power.
8. Soothes Skin – Applying a thin layer of ghee to the area of the skin affected by skin allergies or rashes can help soothe the allergy and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body. In the winter months, babies may get common allergy eczema. Desi ghee works as an antimicrobial ointment and soothes burning / itchy sensations in the skin.
9. Weight Gain – For babies born prematurely or underweight, desi ghee can help them build strong bones and muscles. Use desi ghee, A2 ghee, or Gir cow ghee when cooking baby food such as khichdi or porridge to trigger a growth spurt and help your baby gain weight within months.
10. Strengthening Bones – A daily dose of Vitamin K2 in a tablespoon of ghee is enough to give your body what it needs to build strong bones and muscles. Additionally, organic desi ghee also helps boost immunity against bone conditions. It is especially helpful for those suffering from joint pain, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, and tooth decay.

Desi ghee should be consumed regularly but in small quantities to benefit from this magical milk product. Experts recommend up to three tablespoons or 40-50gms per day. It will help improve various health aspects without promoting weight gain. It is best to prepare ghee at home, but if you can’t, store-bought ghee can also be used. When buying ghee, look for cow ghee, A2 cow ghee, or Gir cow ghee for the best quality. Add a dash of ghee to your daily diet for better metabolism, heart health, and overall well-being.

Author Bio: Kunal Tambe is part of the content marketing team at Two Brothers Organic Farms an online organic store. With his team, he works tirelessly to create awareness about organic farming, food sovereignty, sustainable practices, nutrition, climate change, and a myriad of issues that surround these topics. His content offers value to farmers, the agriculture industry, and end consumers. Besides writing and developing content strategies, he loves ad