Ghee or Oil, Which Is Better for Health?

 

 

‘Eating ghee will make you gain weight.’

‘Eating ghee on an empty stomach reduces fat.’

‘Ghee cures stomach ulcers.’

‘Ghee can cause a heart attack.’

We often hear many such contradictory things about ghee. Not only do we hear these things, but some people actually act on them. Ghee contains 60 to 65 percent saturated fat, 20 to 25 percent monounsaturated fat, 3 to 4 percent polyunsaturated fat, and some vitamins.

Along with the good fats the body needs, it also contains saturated fats that can increase the cholesterol level, especially harmful LDL or bad cholesterol.

For a long time, the disadvantages of eating ghee have been discussed. But now there is a lot of talk about its benefits as well. Which of these is true and which is false? We spoke to doctors to identify common misconceptions and provide accurate information about ghee.

Can Eating Ghee Cause Weight Gain?

Many doctors say that eating ghee alone does not cause weight gain. Cardiologist Dr. Rifai Shaukat Ali said, “No food is nectar or poison. It depends on how much of it is consumed.”

He said, “If it is asked whether eating ghee causes weight gain or not, the straight answer is ‘no’. But eating ghee in large quantities can increase cholesterol in the body.”

Does Eating Ghee Clog Blood Vessels?

Dr. Rifai says, “Body fat that increases due to the consumption of ghee can affect heart health.”

He says, “Ghee does not directly go to the blood vessels of the heart. It does not directly cause heart disease either.”

He explained, “All the food we eat does not reach the blood vessels directly like this. But if ghee is consumed in large quantities, body fat can increase. It has been proven that increasing body fat increases the risk of heart problems and heart damage.”

How Much Ghee can a Person Eat in a Day?

Nutritionist Meenakshi Bajaj said, “According to the ICMR 2024 guidelines, a healthy adult can consume a total of 27 to 30 grams of fat or oil in a day.”

According to the American Heart Association’s recommendation, calories from saturated fat should be less than 6 percent of total daily calories.

Saturated fat is found in high amounts in ghee, butter, cheese, red meat, and other animal foods.

Scientific studies over the past several decades have shown that saturated fat can increase the body’s LDL cholesterol levels. LDL is generally considered bad cholesterol. Its increased levels can also increase the risk of heart disease.

She gives an example: if a person needs 2,000 calories per day, no more than 120 of these calories should come from saturated fat.

He said that ghee contains about 60 to 65 percent saturated fat, so excessive consumption of ghee can increase the body’s bad cholesterol level.

Does Ghee Cure Stomach Ulcers?

General physician and professor Chandrashekhar, who works at a government hospital, says that the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats present in ghee are essential for the body.

He says that ‘Ghee contains linoleic acid, butyric acid and some other beneficial acids. These can help in digestion.’

However, cardiologist Dr. Rifai Shaukat Ali warns that ghee should not be taken as medicine. He says that ‘We should not forget that ghee is high in saturated fat. Therefore, although it contains some beneficial acids, ghee should not be consumed more than half a spoon.’

As far as the claim that ghee cures stomach ulcers is concerned, there is no solid or scientific evidence to prove it.

Does Eating Ghee on an Empty Stomach Reduce Body Fat?

Dr. Rifai says this notion is completely wrong. He says, “Eating ghee does not reduce body fat. Ghee contains 60 to 65 percent saturated fat, which can increase bad cholesterol in the body.”

Dr. Rifai says, “There is no basis to believe that eating ghee will reduce body fat.”

Is It Good to Give Ghee to Children?

Doctors believe that giving ghee to children can help in their development. Dr. Chandrashekhar says that ‘ghee can be beneficial for the development of the nervous system, skin health, and digestion of children.’

According to Dr. Rifai, ‘Children’s metabolism is different from that of adults. Some of the beneficial acids present in ghee can be helpful for the health of the stomach of children.’

He says that ‘ghee contains fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin E and vitamin K. These also help in the growth and development of children.’

Is Ghee Better than Oil?

Limited use of both ghee and oil is necessary to keep the body healthy. Dr. Rifai says that ghee cannot be said to be better than oil.

He says that ‘Eating food cooked in ghee instead of oil regularly can be quite harmful to health. Things like dosa or idli with ghee can be eaten occasionally for taste. But eating them repeatedly can be harmful to the body.’

In his opinion, ‘There is no solid evidence to prove that ghee is better than oil. However, just as the consumption of ghee must be limited, the consumption of oil should also be controlled.’

Can Diabetics Eat Ghee?

Dr. Rifai says that diabetics, people with high body fat, and patients with high blood pressure should avoid ghee.

He says, “Such people should give up ghee completely. Ghee does contain some beneficial acids, but any diet should be evaluated taking into account both its benefits and risks.”

He said, “On this basis, diabetics and people with high blood pressure should not use ghee.”

For more Interesting Articles click the Link: Health Care

Disclaimer: “This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before..."