The over consumption of refined white sugar is the number one cause of the obesity. The USDA recommends only 8 teaspoons (32 grams) of added sugar per day.
It damages the immune system by lowering the efficiency of white blood cells and hinders our ability to fight disease and infection.
Besides being empty calories with no value in nutrition, Sugar causes essential minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to be leached from the body. This can weaken the teeth and bones, causing tooth decay and diseases like osteoporosis.
Jaggery is one of the healthiest alternative to sugar. It contains a number of vitamins and minerals like phosphorous, iron, magnesium and potassium. Jaggery purifies the blood and cleanses the respiratory tract, the lungs, and also the digestive tract. By eliminating toxins from the body, jaggery also serves as a means to improve general immunity. You can either use sugarcane jaggery or palm jaggery.
Honey contains Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C. Honey is also rich in antioxidants that prevent damage to the cells caused by free radicals. It also lowers blood pressure and improves good cholesterol. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties as well.
But do not use honey in cooking or baking. Heating up honey will potentially weaken or destroy enzymes, minerals, and vitamins. you can use jaggery instead of honey in cooking or baking.
Having said that, Both honey and jaggery are high in carbs too and eating too much can cause weight gain. Moderation is the key to healthy life.
