Ghee: Healthier Than Butter?

Ghee is a type of clarified butter. While butter is made from the fat and protein components of churned milk, ghee is made by simmering butter, skimming and retaining the clear liquid fat. Desi Ghee is often used as an alternative for butter in Indian households. In this blog, we will discuss the similarities and differences between ghee and butter and indicate which of the two is a healthier option. 

Lactose Content 

Even though butter contains less lactose content than milk, it can still be uncomfortable for those with lactose intolerance. The small amount of lactose in butter can lead to digestive issues. Desi Ghee, on the other hand, is made by a process of separating the milk solids from the fat, which results in no lactose content. This makes it a safe option for people who are lactose intolerant.

Culinary Uses
Desi Ghee has a higher smoke point than butter, which means that it can be cooked at a higher temperature without breaking down. Ghee is ideal for high-heat cooking methods like frying, roasting, etc. Butter, which has a lower smoke point, will burn and release harmful chemicals. Therefore, desi ghee is a healthier option for cooking at higher temperatures. 

Nutritional Value

Desi Ghee is rich in a lot of vitamins and nutrients, including Vitamin A, D, E and K. Vitamin A supports eye health and the immune system. Vitamin D is important to maintain calcium and strengthen the bones. Vitamin E protects the cells from damage and Vitamin K is important for blood clotting. 

Ghee is also rich in Butyrate, which helps in the digestion and reduces inflammation. 

Butter also contains vitamins and nutrients, but has them in smaller amounts because of the milk content in it. This makes ghee a better choice when compared to butter.

Calories

Both desi ghee and butter have high numbers of calories due to the fat content in them. A tablespoon of ghee contains approximately 120 calories, and a tablespoon of butter has about 100 calories. This is because ghee is more concentrated than butter.

Although butter offers a lighter choice in terms of calories, it does not have any additional properties that can be beneficial for one’s health. 

Digestion

Since ghee contains butyric acid, it is good for digestion. This Butyric Acid prevents harmful bacteria and toxins from entering the bloodstream. This acid also has anti-inflammatory properties which further help in digestion. 

Butter, on the other hand, contains lactose which can be a little harder to digest for people who are lactose intolerant. 

Hence, ghee is a better choice to help with digestion. 

Ayurvedic Perspective

In Ayurveda, desi ghee is considered as a nourishing food. It has been used for centuries as a remedy for healing the stomach and inflammatory issues. It is also used for memory strengthening, brain functioning and overall well being.

Butter does not have any medicinal purposes in Ayurveda but is considered as a good source of energy. 

Conclusion

On the whole, ghee is healthier compared to butter in many ways. Since it has a higher smoke point, it can be used for cooking at a higher heat. Pure ghee also lacks lactose, which is a better option for people who are lactose intolerant. Finally, ghee also helps in the improvement of gut health, which makes it a better choice for digestion. 

It is also important to get pure ghee without any adulteration. For this reason, we suggest Pravarsha Dairy which provides natural cow and buffalo ghee packed with all the nutrients your body needs. Pravarsha Dairy makes sure that each product is carefully produced to retain all essential nutrients, giving you a rich source of fats, vitamins, and minerals.