In today’s health-conscious age, we look for all sorts of ways to consume healthy food. But many of us, including me, can’t even imagine starting our day without a cup of hot tea. This is why many ways have emerged to make our favourite tea healthier, one of the most popular of which is jaggery tea. Jaggery is an unrefined sugar made from sugarcane and is often touted as a healthy alternative to sugary tea. But is it really healthy? If you have the same question in your mind, then you have come to the right place! Let’s find out if jaggery tea deserves the recognition it gets for being healthy.
Also read: Kitchen Tips: How to Buy Jaggery – Expert Tips to Avoid Adulterated Jaggery
Jaggery, an unrefined sugar made from sugarcane or palm sap, is often promoted as a healthy alternative to regular sugar due to its high nutrient content and low glycemic index. But is jaggery tea really healthier than sugar tea? To provide clarity, we consulted experts to consider the nutritional differences, health benefits, and potential drawbacks of both jaggery tea and sugar tea. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed choice for your daily tea ritual. Let’s delve deeper into the details and find out which option is actually healthier.
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Is jaggery tea healthier than sugar tea?
According to nutritionist and dietician Shweta J Panchal, it is a common belief that jaggery tea, which contains small amounts of iron, calcium and other minerals, is healthy. However, you should keep two things in mind:
1. Tea contains compounds that reduce or eliminate the absorption of minerals and nutrients. So, whether you add jaggery to your tea or not, your body will not benefit from it.
2. It doesn’t matter where your body gets its glucose supply from, whether it’s jaggery or sugar. This is because your body’s response to glucose – which is the insulin spike – remains the same. So, you can choose jaggery over sugar, but you can’t avoid the insulin spike as your blood sugar levels will still rise.
Moreover, experts say that any kind of sweetener – be it jaggery or honey – is not a substitute for sugar. Any kind of sweetener cannot increase the nutritional value of your tea.
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When should you not drink tea?
Now that you know that tea contains compounds that can affect nutrient absorption, let’s find out when you should not drink it. According to Ayurvedic expert Dr. Dixa Bhavsar Savaliya, you should avoid drinking tea at the following times:
1. First thing in the morning:
Ayurvedic experts advise against drinking tea first thing in the morning. This is because consuming caffeine on an empty stomach can disrupt cortisol production, which can lead to anxiety and imbalance before the day even begins.
2. With food:
Tea is acidic, which means it can interfere with digestion. If you are having protein in your meal, mixing it with tea can make it harder to digest and interfere with iron absorption. This is why you should avoid drinking tea an hour before and after meals.
3. After 4:00 PM:
Experts recommend avoiding caffeine after 4:00 pm. This is because caffeine can affect your sleep quality and health. Avoiding caffeine at least 10 hours before bedtime can improve your sleep and improve digestion.
Also read: Watch: Video of jaggery making process sparks debate on hygiene on the internet
Keep these points in mind to make informed decisions about your tea consumption so that you can enjoy it without compromising your health!
