A simple sweet succour

Jaggery is a natural product of sugarcane in an unrefined form. Unlike sugar that contains empty calories, jaggery is a good source of proteins, iron, zinc, selenium and phytochemicals. It is a good substitute for sugar as a sweetener and can be more easily digested. Jaggery has the ability to cleanse the liver and flush out the toxins. It also has antioxidant and anti-allergic properties.

So what are you waiting for? Read on to know more about the many benefits of this humble ingredient, which is a part of every Indian kitchen:

* A little piece of jaggery, with a pinch of rock salt, helps reduce flatulence.

* Regular intake of jaggery boosts immunity as well as memory.

* Jaggery helps keep the body warm in winters and hence sweets made of roasted black sesame and jaggery like ghazak and revadi abound in this season.

* A good source of iron, jaggery helps increase HB content of the blood reducing the risk of anaemia.

* Jaggery helps activate the digestive enzymes and eases constipation.

* A healthy replacement to sugar, jaggery aids weight loss.

* Jaggery contains glycolic acid that helps maintain good hair and skin and especially clears blemishes, wrinkles and scars.

* Jaggery helps alleviate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and period pain.

* To reduce hot flashes during menopause, drink a concoction of a little garlic and jaggery in a hot cup of milk.

* A combination of black til and jaggery alleviates symtoms of asthma.

* A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice with a little jaggery powder, helps get rid of phlegm, whereas a little dry ginger powder with jaggery powder, relieves joint pain.