Health

Cow ghee Vs Buffalo Ghee: Which is healthier?

Ghee has numerous nutritional benefits. It is determined by your specific needs, state of health, and digestive capacity. This is because it guarantees that the ghee it provides is pure and of high quality. Some of its many uses include- offered to several gods during worship and rituals, used in cooking, used in Ayurvedic medicine for nourishing and therapeutic purposes, and used in herbal preparations to boost the immune system and treat a variety of diseases. It also helps keep your body warm during the winters, helps treat common colds, and also improves skin.

India is currently the world’s largest producer and consumer of ghee, buffalo and cow milk. Since I was a young child, we consistently had desi cow ghee and drank cow’s milk. As I had only seen yellow ghee used at home as a child, I thought that was the only type of ghee available. But how can you be sure to get the healthiest kind when there are so many varieties of ghee in the market?

Sakshi Singh Clinical Nutritionist talks about Cow ghee Vs Buffalo Ghee: Which is healthier?

What is Ghee?

Ghee, also known as “fat,” may be used as a synonym for clarified butter, with one difference. Ghee is a fatty substance made from cows, buffalo, or other milk. Ghee can also be made from goat and sheep milk, as they are rare and difficult to find, it is not widely made. Ghee is made by first combining milk and then butter. The nutrients present in the clarified butter are beneficial for physical health. It provides the healthy fats needed to keep the liver and immune system healthy. Homemade ghee is much better than the readymade ghee available in the market.

In the traditional French style, the natural butterfat is strained straight away and utilised in its light golden state; the Indian technique takes the method a step further, by caramelising the milk solids earlier, then straining the butterfat to offer the ensuing ghee a nutty taste and a deeper colour. A stick of butter has an excessive percentage of butterfat, extra water and impurities, while ghee is pure, 100% unadulterated butterfat. Ghee helps in weight loss. It doesn’t increase bad LDL cholesterol, rather it improves good HDL cholesterol.

What is Clarified Butter?

Clarified butter, sometimes known as liquid gold, is simply butter with the milk solids and water removed. To clarify is to form clear, and that’s exactly what drawn butter is. Clarified butter is very popular in French cuisine, whereas, another form of it is buttermilk, an Indian staple. When butter is barely melted, it’s yellow and fairly opaque, which is called drawn butter. The opacity comes from everything within the butter that isn’t pure butter fat. Butter is a minimum of 80% fat, which leaves up to 20% of the “other parts.” The other parts are water and milk solids: proteins and sugars, which are the components that turn brown when making brown butter. When butter is clarified, it melts first, then it separates into the water portion and lastly the fat portion. As it heats up, the water boils and turns to vapour, the proteins and sugars collapse and sink to the underside of the pot and what’s left on top is the pure clarified butter.

The chemistry between Cow Ghee and Buffalo Ghee

Ghee is extremely beneficial for our health due to its rich amount of nutrients. It also helps with the production and nutrition of beneficial bacteria present in your intestines. As we now know that ghee is manufactured from both cow and buffalo milk, we should also be aware of the distinctions between the two forms of ghee made from various kinds of milk. You cannot fully profit from utilising ghee in your daily life if you are unaware of the advantages of both.

The following are the main distinctions between cow and buffalo ghee:

❖ Compared to cow milk, the texture of buffalo milk is more creamy.

❖ Compared to buffalo ghee, cow ghee offers more positive health effects.

Which is Healthier?

Desi ghee is often avoided because people fear they would gain weight from it, even though it is beneficial. Desi ghee has a lot of protein, good fats, and vitamins A, E, and K. It is beneficial for the heart, digestion, skin, and hair. Ghee comes in two colours- white, which is created from buffalo milk, and yellow, which is made from cow milk.

Buffalo Ghee

White ghee contains less fat than yellow ghee and can be kept for a very long time as it contains a high percentage of fat. It aids in bone preservation, weight gain, and increased cardiovascular muscle activity. Essential nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus are present in buffalo ghee.

Cow Ghee

Cow ghee is a powerhouse in nutrition. Cow ghee is easy to digest, beneficial for weight loss, and reduces adult and paediatric obesity. Buffalo milk lacks the A2 protein, but cow milk does. Ghee made from cows is the only source of A2 protein. Numerous amounts of protein, minerals, calcium, and vitamins can be found in cow ghee. Cow ghee enhances the sufficient blood cholesterol level, lowers dangerous blood cholesterol levels, and supports healthy heart function.

Which is Better?

Cow ghee is superior because it contains vitamin A carotene, which is healthy for the eyes and the brain. It is beneficial for digestion and contains antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. When compared to cow ghee, buffalo ghee contains more fats and calories. Additionally, it aids in retaining the joints, colds, coughs, and phlegm, as well as having anti-ageing properties.

Conclusion:

Consuming either ghee has benefits of its own in the end. You can consume them based on their health benefits. Some people can use it to lose weight, while others can use it to gain weight and deal with heart-related difficulties. Therefore, including ghee in your diet regularly may be good for both your health and the growth of your body.

July 30, 2022

Wedding Wellness with Luke Coutinho: Starting the Journey

Luke Coutinho, India’s leading Integrative Lifestyle Expert, believes that true wedding prep goes far beyond fitting into an outfit or chasing picture-perfect looks. For him, it’s about building strength, balance, and inner calm that lasts well beyond the wedding day. Here, he shares his holistic wellness guide for brides and grooms stepping into this new chapter. From a holistic health perspective, how early should brides and grooms start preparing their bodies for the wedding? I’ve always believed that wedding prep should start with the inside. If we’re talking about sustainable energy, balanced hormones, strong immunity, or calm emotional states it’s not a 15-day crash course. It’s a rhythm you build. Ideally, I encourage couples to begin six to 12 months in advance. That gives us space to work on the deeper layers like gut repair, sleep cycles, metabolic health, and emotional resilience. Even three months can make a real difference if done right. But more than timelines, I believe in intention. Whether you start 12 months or six weeks before, ask yourself: Am I just trying to look good for a day, or do I want to feel well through all the days that follow? How can couples set wellness goals that go beyond just looking good in wedding photos?It’s easy to get caught up in aesthetics wanting to fit into a certain outfit or chase a number on the scale. But real wellness is about how you feel your energy, your digestion, your mood, your ability to stay calm amidst the chaos. I always tell couples: Don’t make the goal about shrinking your body. Make it about strengthening your health, supporting your hormones, and building the emotional resilience to actually enjoy your wedding. When you feel good inside, it shows up outside on your skin, in your eyes, and

Health

Eating Right, Feeling Bright: How to Stay Healthy and Happy This Festive Season

As the festive season arrives, it’s easy to get swept up in the celebration and sometimes, overdo it. Between rich sweets, back-to-back parties, and emotional highs (and lows), maintaining your health both physical and emotional can become challenging. SINDURI VUPPALA speaks to two experts Dietician Vidhi Chawla, Founder of FISICO Diet & Aesthetic Clinic, and Rajvir Kohar, a seasoned Mental Health Clinician to bring you a guide on how to eat mindfully and feel emotionally balanced this season. “It’s okay not to feel festive. Honour your emotions.” – Mental Health Clinician Rajvir Kohar While cultural celebrations and holidays offer opportunities for connections and joy, they also come with increased expectations and responsibilities. Research indicates that mental health symptoms such as stress, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and emotional eating often rise during the festive season. Many individuals experience heightened stress around the holidays, primarily due to factors such as financial strain, time pressures, and family dynamics. Financial challenges can be particularly overwhelming, as people feel the burden of purchasing gifts, hosting gatherings, and keeping up with social expectations. For individuals already managing financial constraints, these demands can deepen feelings of inadequacy or guilt. Additionally, the festive season can bring emotional pain for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Others may experience a profound sense of loneliness, especially if they lack close family or social networks, making the celebratory atmosphere feel isolating rather than inclusive. Common mental health symptoms during this period include disturbed sleep, changes in appetite (either overeating or under-eating), increased irritability, fatigue, and social withdrawal. While these feelings are common, they often go unnoticed amidst societal expectations to “stay cheerful.” Despite these challenges, it is possible to approach the festive season with mindfulness and care. By adopting practical strategies, you can protect your mental health and still engage

Health

Managing Psychological Stress in Marriage in India

Marriage, while often seen as a sacred bond in India, is also a complex partnership that involves emotional investment, societal expectations, and continuous adaptation. In the Indian context, marriage isn’t just a union between two individuals it’s often a confluence of families, traditions, and social norms. While love and companionship are central, psychological stress can quietly build over time due to unmet expectations, communication gaps, external pressures, and the lack of personal space. Managing this stress effectively is crucial for a healthy and fulfilling marital life. Understanding the Sources of Stress Recognizing the Signs of Stress Psychological stress in marriage often doesn’t manifest dramatically. Instead, it appears in small, persistent ways: If left unaddressed, this stress can escalate into anxiety disorders, depression, or even marital breakdown. Strategies to Manage Marital Stress 1. Open, Non-Judgmental Communication The cornerstone of any successful marriage is healthy communication. Couples must learn to express themselves openly, without fear of being judged. Schedule “talk time” to share your thoughts, concerns, or even simple day-to-day feelings. Use “I feel” statements rather than blame-focused language to prevent defensiveness. 2. Set Realistic Expectations Bollywood and societal portrayals of “perfect marriages” create unrealistic standards. Accept that no marriage is without flaws. Understand each other’s limitations and strengths, and be willing to compromise without losing your core identity. 3. Establish Boundaries with Extended Family While respecting elders and family traditions is important, couples must create healthy boundaries. This includes making joint decisions independently, especially on matters like finances, parenting, or living arrangements. A united front reduces external interference and strengthens the couple’s bond. 4. Seek Professional Help Therapy is still stigmatized in parts of India, but counseling individuals or couples can be transformative. A trained therapist helps you identify patterns, improve communication, and resolve conflicts constructively. Many Indian metro cities and

Health

Why Soaking Rice Reduces Glucose: Science, Steps, and Stats

Rice is a staple food for millions across the globe, but it’s also often blamed for raising blood sugar levels—especially white rice due to its high glycemic index (GI). However, a simple, age-old practice can help: soaking rice before cooking. This traditional method doesn’t just make rice softer and faster to cook—it also offers a science-backed way to reduce its glucose content and make it healthier. Hashtag Magazines gives you a lowdown… The Science Behind Soaking Rice When you soak rice, several things happen: Supporting Research and Statistics A study published in Food Chemistry (2015) found: Another study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted: A 2022 clinical trial in India showed: How to Soak Rice to Lower Glucose Step-by-Step Method: Glycemic Index Reduction – Before & After Soaking Type of Rice GI (Unsoaked) GI (After Soaking) White rice 72 60–65 Brown rice 68 55–60 Basmati rice 58 45–50 Red rice 55 40–48 Additional Tips to Reduce Sugar Spike from Rice Why This Matters for Diabetics and Health-Conscious Eaters Blood sugar spikes can lead to fatigue, weight gain, insulin resistance, and long-term complications like diabetes or heart disease. Making simple changes like soaking rice helps: Conclusion Soaking rice is a simple, no-cost step with massive health benefits. Whether you’re managing diabetes, watching your weight, or just aiming for better gut health, soaking rice before cooking can significantly lower its glucose impact. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in Indian kitchens, now backed by science.