Ghee, a
type of clarified butter, is prepared by simmering butter and
removing the residue.[1] Spices can be added for
flavor.[2] Ghee has a long shelf life and
needs no refrigeration if
kept in an airtight container to
prevent oxidation.[citation
needed] The
texture, color, and taste of ghee depend on the quality of the
butter and the duration of the
boiling.Ghee is composed almost entirely
of saturated fat. When cooking, it can be unhealthy to heat
polyunsaturated oils such as vegetable oils to high
temperatures.
Doing so creates peroxides and other free radicals. Ghee has a very
high smoke point and doesn\'t burn easily during cooking. Ghee has
stable saturated bonds and so is lot less likely to form the
dangerous free radicals when cooking. Ghee\'s short chain of fatty
acids are also metabolized very readily by the body.Lab studies
have shown ghee to reduce cholesterol both in the serum and
intestine. It does it by triggering an increased secretion of
biliary lipids. Ghee is also good for nerves and brain. It helps
control eye pressure and is beneficial to glaucoma patients. Ghee
is most notably said to stimulate the secretion of stomach acids to
help with digestion, while other fats, such as butter and oils,
slow down the digestive process and can sit heavy in the stomach.
Ghee is rich with antioxidants and acts as an aid in the absorption
of vitamins and minerals from other foods, serving to strengthen
the immune system. A high concentration of butyric acid, a fatty
acid that contains anti-viral properties, is believed to inhibit
the growth of cancerous tumors.
It is good for treatment of burns. According
to Ayurveda ghee promotes learning and increased memory
retention. While in a healthy person consuming ghee may
reduce your cholesterol or not affect it, it is not advised for
people already suffering from high cholesterol.
It is safer than butter. Now you understand how the Punjabis have
tonnes of ghee and still are fitter. It has been used in Indian
medicinal practice to help with ulcers, constipation, and the
promotion of healthy eyes and skin.
