Healthy Nature

What is Ghee?

Ghee is clarified butter. Clarified butter is butter that has been simmered for a while and then strained, which removes all of the water in the butter. Ghee is cooked over a low heat, so the milk solids get the chance to begin to brown. The little bit of browning in the ghee during the cooking process gives the final product a rich, slightly nutty flavor.

Ghee is harder than butter if you keep it in the fridge, a bit harder than butter when it is in the fridge. However, ghee is shelf stable. This means you do not have the keep it in the fridge and it will keep a softer texture if you keep it at room temperature. It has a much higher smoke point than butter and often a better smoke point than many types of oil as well. Ghee is highly prized in many cultural for its amazing health benefits and tasty flavor that is unique, and you cannot get from anything else.

The clarifying process that ghee goes through removes all of the lactose and casein that is found in regular butter. This makes it a great alternative to butter for those who are sensitive to lactose and dairy.

Use can use ghee just like you would butter or various cooking oils. You can use it on toast, to shallow fry food, to sauté, bake, coat veggies and meat, and so much more. Anywhere you use an oil or butter you can more often than not replace it with ghee. The only time this may not be possible is when you are baking since baking can be quite particular and finicky.

What are the Health Benefits of Ghee?

There are quite a few amazing health benefits of ghee. Ghee has the ability to reduce your exposure to cancer causing agents. When you cook with butter and other forms of oil that have a lower smoke point, they can produce free radicals when the oil breaks down and this can cause an increased risk of cancers. Too many free radicals in the body can damage the cells and this is what leads to cancer formation. Since ghee has a smoke point of 500 degrees F, it is very hard to overheat this cooking oil.

Ghee also is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can treat swelling and burns. It has anti-viral properties to fight off viruses and can reduce inflammation due to its high amounts of butyrate that is linked to the immune system in the body and can calm and reduce all kinds of inflammation. Ghee can help with the digestive system as well and soothe stomach related issues. It is particularly good with people who suffer from Chron’s Disease.

Ghee also contains loads of fat-soluble vitamins that are essential to the human body like A, D, K, and E. Ghee is also loaded with heart-healthy fats like Omega-3’s that are also found in rich and heart-healthy salmon.

Ad last but not least, ghee contains high levels of antioxidants as well. Antioxidants have the ability to get rid of free radicals in the body that can damage cells and tissues that lead to cancers and diseases. Ghee has particularly high levels on vitamin E, one of the most powerful antioxidants found in foods.