Health and Fitness

Beware of Adulterated Sesame and Jaggery on Makar Sankranti: Expert Tells How to Identify Real and Fake at Home

Makar Sankranti

Today, the festival of Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across the country. Eating things made from sesame and jaggery has special significance on this day. Without these, this festival is considered incomplete. In this season, things made from sesame and jaggery are also beneficial for health.

This is the reason why there is a tradition of eating them on festivals like Lohri and Makar Sankranti. However, the sesame and jaggery available in the market may also be adulterated. Eating it can harm health. Therefore, it is important to keep some things in mind while buying sesame and jaggery.

What to keep in mind before buying sesame seeds

sesame seeds

There is a tradition of eating sesame seeds on Makar Sankranti in different parts of the country. Some people like to eat sesame laddus, while some people like sesame gajak very much. There are many benefits of eating sesame seeds in this season.

However, due to the increased demand for sesame seeds on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, there is a possibility of adulteration in it. Adulterators adulterate sesame seeds in the greed to earn more profit. Consuming adulterated sesame seeds can cause stomach problems.However, there are some ways to check if sesame is adulterated or not.

  • The color of real sesame is normal brown or black, whereas the color of adulterated sesame is more shiny.
  • Real sesame seeds have a rough texture, while adulterated sesame seeds can be very soft.
  • Try rubbing the sesame seeds on your palm. If the hand gets colored, then the sesame seeds are adulterated.
  • Soak the sesame seeds in water for some time. The adulterated sesame seeds will float on the water.
  • The real sesame seed drowns after getting soaked in water for some time.

Things to keep in mind before buying jaggery

jaggery

There is a tradition of eating jaggery along with sesame seeds on the day of Makar Sankranti. Jaggery is a good source of iron. Eating jaggery in winters is very beneficial. Eating jaggery keeps the digestive system healthy. It also increases the level of hemoglobin in the body. However, all these benefits are only available when the jaggery is not adulterated.

In order to earn profits, adulterators mix things like calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sugar and safrolite in jaggery. All these things can harm our health. Therefore, it is important to keep some things in mind before buying jaggery.

  • The colour of real jaggery is dark brown.
  • The colour of adulterated jaggery is light brown, yellow or white.
  • The taste of real jaggery is sweet.
  • Adulterated jaggery tastes salty, bitter or bland.
  • Put small pieces of real jaggery in water. If the jaggery dissolves completely then it is real.
  • The pieces of adulterated jaggery settle at the bottom of the water instead of dissolving.

How beneficial is eating sesame seeds during winter?

sesame seeds

According to the recommendation of the National Institute of Health, an adult needs 30 grams of fiber per day. If you eat two sesame laddus i.e. about 30 grams of sesame seeds daily, then 12% of your fiber requirement will be fulfilled by this. There are many benefits of eating sesame seeds in winters. Such as.

  • Sesame has heat-providing properties, which help in keeping the body warm during cold days.
  • Sesame contains fiber and other nutrients, which keep the digestive system healthy.
  • Sesame contains vitamin E and other antioxidants, which help strengthen the immune system.
  • Sesame contains omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients, which are beneficial for heart health
  • . Vitamin E present in sesame prevents skin and hair from becoming dry.

Why should you include jaggery in your diet in winter?

jaggery

Eating jaggery is very beneficial in the winter season. You can include it in your diet every day. Jaggery is generally known as a natural sweetener. It is processed much less than sugar, which keeps the natural nutrients intact. Consuming jaggery regularly in winters boosts immunity. This helps in preventing health problems like cough, cold and indigestion.

Harmful chemicals added to adulterated jaggery can cause stomach pain and vomiting. It also increases the risk of skin allergies. Consuming adulterated jaggery for a long time can also cause liver and kidney problems.

 

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