In a world obsessed with fancy foods and trendy diets, we often overlook our very own superfoods, such as Ghee.
Wait a minute. Did you just think it’s just dairy fat? Well, it is; but it has more to offer. It is a golden liquid highly praised and used for a plethora of benefits in Indian cuisine as well as in Ayurveda.
Allow us to explain. Ayurveda has always emphasized ghee as the healthiest source of edible fat with multiple health benefits. But you can’t pick just any ghee when it comes to your health. The best ghee that will work wonders for anyone at any age is A2 Ghee. What’s so special about A2 ghee, you ask?
Here’s a quick guide with everything you need to know about A2 ghee. Be sure to read it till the end and bookmark it for quick access.
What is A2 Ghee?
A2 ghee is clarified butter with a rich flavor profile. It is a nutritional powerhouse, known for easy digestibility. The ghee is derived exclusively from the milk of indigenous cow breeds like Gir, Tharparkar, Sahiwal, and Red Sindhi. Free from adulteration, hormonal injections, and crossbreeding, it retains its authenticity and goodness making it a true superfood. Ghee made with the milk of these cows contains essential nutrients like A2 beta-casein protein, Vitamins A, D, E, B12, and K, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants.
How is A2 Ghee Made?
Aromatic and delicious A2 ghee is made using a rather tedious but healthy method called the bilona method of churning. Here is a quick step-by-step process of making A2 ghee:
1. First, A2 milk is sourced from desi cow breeds like Gir, Tharparkar, Sahiwal, and Red Sindhi.
2. It is then converted into curd through overnight fermentation.
3. The curd is hand-churned in small batches using a wooden beater called bilona till the curd separates into butter and buttermilk.
4. The separated butter is boiled at a low flame until the water evaporates and the milk solids separate. At this stage, you get rich, aromatic, golden-colored A2 Ghee that is packed with maximum nutrients.
Benefits of A2 Ghee
Here, we've compiled a range of benefits of A2 Ghee that you can experience with its regular consumption. These advantages are backed by research and some are also emphasized in Ayurveda.
1. Supports Healthy Weight Management
A2 Ghee can support weight loss and serve as a vital part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
Due to its unique combination of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), it is easily digestible and used by the body for energy production. In contrast to long-chain fatty acids in other oils, MCFA, and CLAs are not stored as fat in the body. Hence A2 ghee improves fat breakdown and reduces the formation of new fat cells in the body.
If you often find yourself snacking between meals and regretting it later, A2 Ghee could be the perfect solution. It provides energy for a longer time, helping you hold back your snack craving, and thus it promotes metabolism and healthy weight management.
2. Improves Brain Function
An active brain is all that makes the difference, whether at work, in school, or in daily life. Maintaining strong cognitive function can improve work efficiency. To achieve this, you should consume nutrient-rich foods required by your brain.
Did you know cow ghee (Goghruta) is used as a brain tonic in Ayurveda? A2 Ghee has docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and other omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties. Due to its rich nutritional profile, it nourishes brain cells, enhances clarity, and improves concentration, enabling sharper thinking.
Experts believe that A2 Ghee may help people with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, too, as it has properties that may protect brain cells from oxidative damage, and improve cognition and memory. Ayurveda, therefore, recognizes this ghee as Medhya Rasayana (Nootropic) and highly recommends it for adults as well as children.
3. Improves Digestion
With A2 Ghee, you get a whole lot of goodness for your digestive system. Let's take a closer look.
As we discussed previously, A2 ghee is easily digestible compared to your regular ghee due to the presence of A2 beta-casein protein.
Besides that, Butyric acid in A2 Ghee strengthens the intestinal lining and reduces the inflammation in the digestive tract. It improves nutrient absorption, digestive enzyme production, and gut health.
According to Ayurveda, A2 Ghee has detoxifying properties, and consuming ghee can lubricate the digestive tract and help flush out toxins effectively while supporting your digestive health.
If you have digestive issues like bloating, constipation, loss of appetite, less nutrient absorption, etc., we recommend consuming A2 ghee as it is the ultimate fix for your gut health.
4. Balances Hormonal Levels
Hormonal imbalances are the root cause of many severe conditions, such as PCOS, irregular periods, weight issues, and infertility. They can affect your health and lead to drastic limitations in your lifestyle. If you're seeking a simple way to improve your hormonal health, here's what we recommend–have a spoonful of A2 ghee everyday to keep your hormones balanced.
The healthy fats in A2 Ghee promote hormone production and support normal physiological functions. Women dealing with hormonal issues may see a considerable improvement in their condition with regular consumption of A2 Ghee.
While it may seem like a quick remedy, we recommend that you consult your physician to ensure you consume appropriate quantities of ghee to suit your health condition.
5. Boosts Immunity
If you are looking for a simple everyday practice to boost your immunity, upgrade from regular ghee to A2 ghee!
A2 ghee has essential nutrients like Vitamins A, D, and E, and antioxidants to strengthen immune function. Incorporating it into your diet can improve your body’s natural defense mechanism.
In Ayurveda, ghee is considered Rasayana which promotes longevity, regeneration, and vitality. It also has immunomodulatory properties that heal several ailments by stimulating and repairing the immune system.
The benefits of A2 ghee for immunity do not stop here. A2 ghee contains butyric acid that helps to produce killer T cells or cytotoxic T cells in the digestive tract. These cells fight infections and destroy viruses in the digestive tract leading to improved immunity.
The ghee also has short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which provide energy and enhance intestinal wall health, leading to better immune health. According to experts, omega-3 fatty acids like linolenic fatty acids in ghee may also help in managing allergies, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.
6. Improves Skin Health and Controls Aging
It’s easy to lose yourself in the ongoing skincare trends and forget what your skin truly needs–deep nourishment from the inside.
Consuming nutrient-rich food is essential to nourish and brighten your skin. Now, if you are looking for that one wonder food to enhance your skin health, A2 Ghee comes to your rescue.
As we mentioned, A2 ghee has several nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K, and omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. These essential nutrients can boost collagen production, nourish the skin, and improve your skin health.
Natural antioxidants found in ghee can protect the skin from damage due to free radicals and provide a youthful glow. They also promote new skin cell production and help control signs of aging, such as sagging of the skin.
7. Boosts Energy Levels
If you feel tired mid-day and often rely on caffeine for a quick energy boost, A2 Ghee can be a game-changer for you.
As we mentioned earlier, A2 ghee is easily digestible and won’t leave you feeling sluggish. So, when you need a quick dose of energy, consume a spoonful of ghee with your favorite food. The healthy fats in ghee provide slow-releasing energy, meaning you will get sustained energy to remain physically active over longer periods.
8. Improves Bone Health
If you drink a glass of milk daily for calcium to improve your bone strength, here is what you need to know–your body will absorb calcium only if you consume enough vitamin K.
A2 ghee is a good source of Vitamin K along with other essential nutrients that can strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of fractures.
A2 Ghee stimulates calcium metabolism and bone mineralization using Vitamin D and K2, whereas vitamin A improves immune regulation and cartilage health.
Additionally, A2 Ghee helps to reduce joint pain with its inflammatory properties. Ghee lubricates joints and promotes smooth mobility, which significantly helps people with arthritis or joint stiffness. Hence, we say that A2 Ghee acts as an add-on therapy for bone and joint diseases like osteoporosis and arthritis.
How is A2 Ghee Different from Regular Ghee?
Regular Ghee
- Regular ghee is usually made by combining milk of different cow breeds.
- These cows are of the European breed and are largely crossbred for commercial milking.
- Regular ghee has A1 beta-casein protein which is difficult to digest.
It is made in large batches using machines. - Do not retain more nutrients as the butter is churned using machines and boiled at high temperatures in an industrial setting.
A2 Ghee
- A2 Ghee is made only using desi cow milk.
- These cows are of Indian breeds, such as Gir, Tharparkar, Sahiwal, and Red Sindhi.
- It has A2 beta-casein protein which is easy to digest.
- It is made in small batches using the bilona churning process at low temperature, which retains maximum nutrients.
By considering the above differences, we recommend A2 Ghee for your health and well-being.
How to Use A2 ghee?
If you think healthy food is always bland. Not anymore! A2 ghee not only offers health benefits but also adds a delicious flavor to your meals. To reap its benefits, you should use A2 ghee regularly. Here are some ways to incorporate A2 ghee into your diet.
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Consume in the morning: Add A2 Ghee to warm water and have it on an empty stomach. It is known to lubricate the digestive tract, boost food absorption, and provide an extra dose of energy.
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Use with cooked food: Add A2 ghee to cooked foods like roti, rice, sabji, etc.
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Baking: Replace butter with A2 ghee to bake cakes, breads, muffins, cookies, biscuits, etc.
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Frying: A2 ghee has a high smoke point, hence it is a safe option to use for frying poori, bhatura, pakora, samosa, gulab jamun, etc.
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Sauteing and tempering: Saute your veggies and other ingredients in ghee to elevate their taste and health.
Feel free to play around with new methods to incorporate ghee into your diet, like adding it to your favorite dishes. Once you start using A2 ghee in your food, its rich, earthy flavor will stay with you forever.
In case you are unsure, and especially if you have health conditions, such as high cholesterol or cardiovascular conditions, we urge you to consult your doctor before adopting A2 ghee in your regular diet and always remember to consume in moderation.
We’ve addressed everything you need to know about A2 ghee in this blog. Now it’s your turn to make the right choice. Use A2 ghee and welcome numerous health benefits into your life!
