Quick Summary: Are you all at sea when it comes to differentiating the benefits between jaggery and sugar? If your answer is affirmative, you’re at the right place where you’re to get all the answers defining the difference between jaggery and sugar. Keep reading on!
Are you a sweet lover like I am? If yes, I’m sure you would like to find the right and beneficial alternative for sweeteners that not only add sweetness to your food but benefit your health, too. Jaggery and sugar are the two alternatives but you must know which one is right for your health.
In addition to calories, jaggery contains fiber, minerals, iron, and the like, while sugar tends to have calories, lacking additional beneficial substances. These are the basics, however, there are many other benefits that you should be aware of about jaggery and sugar.
However, you can add both sugar and jaggery to make your food delicious, you must want to know which one of the two is beneficial for your health. Fortunately, this article gets you there. In this article, you’ll have an in-depth exploration of the difference between jaggery and sugar.
Let’s explore!
What Is Jaggery?, And The Process How It’s Made
Before we dig any deeper, let’s get started with discussing what jaggery is and how it’s made! Jaggery is a brownish-colored brick-like kitchen ingredient that is used as a kitchen ingredient to sweeten foods and make them delicious.
When it comes to the process of making jaggery, it can be different. Yes, the jaggery is made from various plant sources, depending on its type. The process of extraction also tends to be different depending on the type of jaggery like, in the case of sugarcane Jaggery it’s made by extracting, then filtering, and stirring juice from sugarcane plants.
Types of Jaggery
After knowing about jaggery, and how it’s made, you’re more likely to be curious to know the types of jaggery, too. Fret not! We have listed a few types of jaggery that you should know!
- Sugarcane Jaggery— To make sugarcane jaggery, the sugarcane is crushed intending to squeeze juice. Once the juice gets extracted, it’s concentrated, filtered, and then boiled. After that the sugarcane juice is frozen and hardened to shape it in jaggery blocks.
- Marayoor Jaggery— In the case of Marayoor jaggery the sugarcane juice is processed into jaggery balls by boiling it into a large kettle enabling it to be condensed.
- Palmyra Palm Jaggery— Palmyra Palm Jaggery is made from the juice of the Palmyrah tree. The process of making this type of jaggery involves boiling and concentrating the juice of the palmyra tree.
- Toddy Palm Jaggery— Another type of jaggery is Toddy Palm jaggery. It is made by boiling the juice of toddy palm. It provides a delightful experience to sweet lovers.
- Coconut Jaggery— Coconut jaggery is made by boiling and crystallizing coconut sap and then poured into different molds.
What Are The Benefits of Eating Jaggery?
Now that you know the types of jaggery and the process of how it’s made, you would like to know the benefits of eating jaggery. Fortunately, we’ve already done it for you!
Jaggery Acts As An Antioxidant
As palm jaggery is more likely to act as an antioxidant, assisting your digestive system by performing an antioxidant action in your body. It lets your body do away with toxins, thereby, making you healthy and fit.
Rich in Nutrients
Palm jaggery is full of nutrients that benefit you immensely. It has iron that tends to help you decrease the chances of anemia by increasing the level of hemoglobin. It also contains magnesium which helps control the neurological system.
This natural high antioxidant concentration in jaggery prevents free radical damage to your body. Besides, the mineral potassium adds to your body’s fluid-balancing minerals while controlling blood pressure.
Mitigates Constipation
The palm jaggery consists of dietary fibers, thereby, better digestion while mitigating constipation. Fiber removes harmful substances like pollutants and bad cholesterol, detoxifies your body, and promotes bowel movements. Consuming jaggery helps you maintain a better digestive system.
Lessens Migraines
Another benefit of eating jaggery is that it helps you relieve migraine aches. Yes, the natural therapeutic properties in jaggery possess the potential to mitigate migraine aches. Taking just 1 teaspoon of palm jaggery can relieve migraines, letting you feel comfortable.
Helpful In Weight Loss
Are you worrying about your consistent weight gain? If yes, it’s the right time for you to choose jaggery. The potassium-rich palm jaggery helps you reduce bloating and water retention, thereby, adding weight loss.
Jaggery vs Sugar: Is Jaggery Better Than Sugar?
There are people out there who opt to choose jaggery intending to replace sweeteners like sugar. The effort is aimed at ensuring a healthy lifestyle. So, the question here is: is the strategy to replace sugar with jaggery appropriate, or can it help you maintain a healthy lifestyle? Let’s explore!
As far as jaggery vs sugar calories are concerned, both jaggery and sugar contain the same level of calories. Hence, there’s no difference between jaggery and sugar in terms of calories, but there are differences in other aspects.
Jaggery, in addition to the calories, contains fiber, iron, and minerals. It’s different from sugar— as sugar merely contains calories and no additional nutrients. We can say that jaggery is way superior compared to sugar, which just offers calories but not any nutrients.
No doubt, jaggery is superior to sugar, but it’s advised to consume it in moderation–it contains high-calorie contents. Those with low-calorie diets need to be cautious about jaggery intake.
Conclusion
When it comes to the benefits, both sweeteners (jaggery and sugar) have their place in their uses. We discussed both in this article and hope you’re aware of the difference between jaggery and sugar and can choose your preferred sweetener conveniently. However, your questions are more likely to be answered, if there are any remaining unanswered, consider reading the FAQs below!
FAQ
Which is healthier: sugar or jaggery?
In case you wish to replace refined, white sugar in your diet, while not willing to mitigate your overall sugar intake, choosing jaggery is the right alternative.
Is jaggery healthier for diabetics compared to sugar?
As per the nutritional statistics, jaggery happens to be marginally superior to sugar. Jaggery and sugar, especially when consumed in heavy amounts, are therefore risky for people having diabetes.
Brown sugar vs. jaggery powder: Which is better?
Jaggery tends to be considered healthier as compared to ‘brown sugar’ which is a good replacement for white sugar.
How much jaggery should I consume a day?
If you’re asking about daily use, 10 grams of jaggery can be appropriate.
