Butter Ghee 500 gm (মাখনের ঘি)

Ghee is a type of clarified butter used in the cuisines of India and the Middle East. Traditionally, it’s made by gently heating cow’s milk butter until its water content evaporates and its milk solids can be skimmed and strained away, leaving behind only the liquid fat.

“Clarified butter is very similar [to ghee], but it’s sometimes made using high heat, whereas ghee is simmered at 100 degrees or less,” says Chandradhar Dwivedi, a distinguished professor emeritus of pharmacology at South Dakota State University.

While ghee takes longer to make than some other types of clarified butter, it retains more vitamins and nutrients thanks to its low-heat preparation, he says. Specifically, ghee is a source of vitamin E, vitamin A, antioxidants, and other organic compounds, many of which would be broken down or destroyed if boiled at higher temps, he explains.

Ghee is also a component of Ayurveda, a roughly 6,000 years old form of complementary medicine that is still widely practiced in India and elsewhere. “Ghee is used as a vehicle for herbal medication,” Dwivedi explains. “The thought process was that ghee is sacred, and when given with medicine, you get both the medical benefit and a spiritual benefit.”

Setting aside the spiritual aspects, Dwivedi says modern science shows that eating fat-rich foods like ghee can increase the “bioavailability” and absorption of some healthy vitamins and minerals. By cooking or eating vegetables or other healthy foods along with ghee, your body may have access to more of their nutrients, he says. Ghee also tastes good, he adds, and so it can make some healthy but unappetizing foods more palatable.

Potential Health Benefits of Ghee

Ghee is a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats. While fat should be consumed in moderation, studies show that eating fatty foods such as ghee can help the body absorb some essential vitamins and minerals. Cooking healthy foods and vegetables with ghee may help you absorb more nutrients.

Research has found several potential health benefits to consuming ghee:

Anti-Inflammatory Effects 

In alternative Ayurvedic medicine, ghee has been used topically to treat burns and swelling. While this is not scientifically proven, ghee contains butyrate, a fatty acid with known anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that the butyrate present in ghee can soothe inflammation within the body.

Combat Obesity

Ghee is a significant source of conjugated linoleic acid or CLA. Studies show that CLA may help combat obesity. Research indicates that the CLA found in ghee may help reduce excessive weight gain. It may also help reduce the mass of body fat in some people.