Gur Magic

From last twenty years, I spent my time in big cities only 
where the whole emphasis is on continental, Mughlai or South Indian food.  But when I recollect my days in Rudrapur which is now a part of Uttrakhand,  this area is basically dominated by Sikh and Punjabi migrants settled after partition. I fondly recollect Makki Ki Roti, Sarson Ka Saag followed by rich helping of Gur and dollop of desi ghee.

Another rich memory of various delicacies made of Gur were Gulgule made by my grand mother during winter time. Come  Winter, our Grand Maa used to serve  Gur and Bajre kee Roti loaded with desi ghee and  saunf  during dinner time. To this day, the rustic earthy scent rewinds the clock and takes me back to my playful childhood days.

Gur is a part of our rural ethos. It is made and used  in all parts of country. Different regions different names.In English it is Jaggery, 'Bellam' in Telugu, 'Vellam' in Tamil, 'Sharkara' in Malayalam, 'Bella' in Kannada, and 'Gul' in Marathi. It is basically unrefined sugar which is obtained from raw, concentrated sugarcane juice. Gur is also made from other sources,  date palm is nolen gur in Bengal and the sap of coconut. 
The one made from sugarcane juice is the most commonly used. It is prepared by boiling sugar cane juice till it solidifies and then put into blocks.

The best part is that Gur is used richly in all regional cultures. In Andhra Chakkara Pongal is prepared with Rice, jaggery and milk. In Kerala, various varities of payasam are made with jaggery as sweetner.

As I am writing about Gur my mouth drools,  I can't help but wonder why my grandparents used to eat jaggery post lunch and dinner each day during winter. Now the doctors vouch that it is to be consumed during the winter months because winter is the season of fresh jaggery. Since it is rich in many vital vitamins and minerals, jaggery boosts immunity, keeps the body warm, helps treat cold and cough and controls the temperature of the body. This is a natural sweetener has been a great go-to ingredient in the country from ages.

 Jaggery benefits  :

* Prevents constipation: Jaggery activates the digestive enzymes in the body, stimulates bowel movements and thus helps prevent and relieve constipation.

 * Detoxes the liver: Jaggery helps cleanse the liver by flushing out harmful toxins from the body. This is effective way to detox the body, bite into a piece of jaggery.

* Treats flu-like symptoms: Fight symptoms of a cold and cough with the help of gur. All you need to do is mix it with warm water and drink up, or even add it in your tea instead of your white sugar to reap the benefits.

*  Blood purifier: One of the most well-known benefits of jaggery is its ability to purify the blood. When consumed on a regular basis and in limited quantities, it cleanses the blood, leaving  body healthy.\

*  Boosts immunity: Jaggery is loaded with antioxidants and minerals such as zinc and selenium, which in turn help prevent free-radical damage. Jaggery also helps increase the total count of haemoglobin in the blood.
 

*  Cleanses the body: Jaggery is one of the best natural cleansing agents for the body, hence it is advised to eat jaggery to remove unwanted particles from the body. It efficiently cleans the respiratory tract lungs, intestines, stomach and food pipe. Eating jaggery is highly recommended for people working in heavily polluted  areas such as factories or coal mines.

*  Eases menstrual pain: Jaggery, due to its richness in many essential nutrients, is an effective natural treatment for menstrual problems, especially providing relief from the cramps. In case you experience sudden mood swings just before your period, you should eat a small piece of jaggery daily to combat symptoms of PMS since it leads the release of endorphins. These endorphins relax your body, thereby preventing premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

*   Prevents anaemia: Jaggery is rich in iron and folate which help prevent anaemia by ensuring that a normal level of red blood cells is maintained. This is especially beneficial for pregnant women..

*   Boosts intestinal health: Jaggery also boosts intestinal strength due to its high magnesium content. With every 10 gram of jaggery, you get 16 mg of magnesium, which is 4 percent of the daily requirement of this mineral.

*  Cools the stomach: Jaggery helps in maintaining normal body temperature which helps in keeping your stomach cool. Experts recommend drinking Sharbat made of Gur (jaggery soaked in ice cold water) during the summer months to cool off.


*  Controls blood pressure: Jaggery contains potassium and sodium, which play an important role in the maintenance of acid levels in the body. It makes sure that a normal level of blood pressure is properly maintained.

*   Prevents respiratory problems: By consuming jaggery regularly, you can prevent many respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, etc. Experts recommend eating this natural sweetener with sesame seeds for wonderful benefits for the respiratory system.

*  Relieves joint pain: If you suffer from aches and pain in the joints, consuming jaggery can provide you with much-needed relief. You can eat it with a piece of ginger to alleviate joint pain or even drink a glass of milk with jaggery every day to help strengthen the bones thus preventing joint and bone problems such as arthritis.


*   Good source of energy: White sugar is a simple carbohydrate that gets absorbed in the bloodstream instantly and gives instant energy, jaggery is a complex Carbohydrate that gives energy to the body gradually and for a longer time. This means that the levels of blood sugar do not get raised immediately. It also helps prevent fatigue and weakness of the body.