March 8, 2023 By GOQii Leave a Comment

A2 Ghee: What It Is, How It Is Made & Potential Benefits

By now, we have all come across A2 Ghee and heard that it is healthier than regular ghee. It has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits and nutritional value. In this article, we will explore what A2 ghee is, how it is made, and its potential health benefits.

What Is A2 Ghee?

Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is made by simmering butter over low heat until the water content evaporates, and the milk solids separate from the liquid fat. The milk solids are then removed, leaving behind a clear, golden liquid. Ghee is prized for its rich, nutty flavor and high smoke point, making it an excellent cooking fat.

A2 ghee is made from the milk of cows that only produce the A2 beta-casein protein. This protein is believed to be easier to digest than the A1 beta-casein protein found in milk from most cows in Western countries. A2 milk comes from cows that have been bred to produce only the A2 beta-casein protein, rather than a mix of A1 and A2 proteins. Some proponents of A2 milk and ghee claim that it may offer several health benefits over conventional dairy products.

How Is It Made?

A2 ghee is made in the same way as traditional ghee, but it is made from A2 milk instead of regular milk. To make A2 ghee, A2 milk is first boiled and then cooled to room temperature. The cream is then skimmed off the top of the milk and placed in a large pot. The pot is then heated over low heat until the water content evaporates, and the milk solids separate from the liquid fat. The milk solids are removed, leaving behind a clear, golden liquid that is strained through cheesecloth to remove any remaining impurities. The resulting A2 ghee is then allowed to cool and solidify before it is ready to use.

Potential Health Benefits Of A2 Ghee

A2 Ghee is believed to offer several health benefits over traditional dairy products. Here are some of these potential benefits:

Easier to Digest: It is made from A2 milk, which contains only the A2 beta-casein protein. This protein is believed to be easier to digest than the A1 beta-casein protein found in most dairy products. Some people who are lactose intolerant or have difficulty digesting dairy products may find that A2 ghee is easier to digest.
May Improve Heart Health: It is rich in healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are known to have several health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving heart health. Studies have shown that consuming it may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
May Boost Immune System: It contains butyric acid, a type of short-chain fatty acid that is known to have several health benefits, including boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation. Some studies have shown that butyric acid may help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and improve gut health.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: It is a good source of several important vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as calcium and phosphorus. These nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and skin.

We hope this article helps you understand what A2 Ghee is, how it is made and its potential benefits. If you want to try it out, you can browse for healthy oils and ghees from the GOQii Health Store here.

For more articles on nutrition, click here. Did we miss anything? Is there a topic you want us to cover? Let us know in the comments below!

#BeTheForce

April 1, 2022 By Neha Goyal 3 Comments

Why Should You Opt For A2 Cow Ghee?

Ghee has always been a part of the Indian tradition as one of the healthiest milk products. In Indian households, we generally use ghee made at home with cow milk. Recently a new type of cow ghee has appeared in the dairy market known as A2 Cow Ghee. Looking at the name, A2 Cow Ghee seems like some kind of a new trend in the health market but it is cow ghee made from A2 milk. Let’s understand it better.

We all know that milk is a good source of protein. However, ghee is pure fat but contains a very small amount of protein as well. There are two types of protein found in milk called casein and whey. There are also different types of casein protein, one of which is beta-casein. A1 & A2 are actually two variants of beta-casein that make up about 30% of total protein in cow’s milk. Traditionally in India, cows produced milk that contained only the A2 form of beta-casein, but today, most of the milk available in local stores contains mostly A1 proteins.

The Difference Between A1 and A2 Cow Ghee

Reading the name, both types seem like brothers of the same family but there is a huge difference between their source and effect on health. Ghee when made using A2 milk which has only A2 Beta casein (a type of protein) is called A2 ghee. This type of protein is found in the milk of only some native Indian breed of cows and some other animals like the Indian buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, etc.

On the other hand, ghee made from milk having only A1 beta-casein or sometimes both A1 and A2 beta-casein is called A1 cow ghee. A1 beta-casein is found in all commercial dairy products that we use in general due to foreign breed or crossbreed cows in India. It’s cheaper as the milking capacity of crossbred cows is greater than desi cow and the total number of them is also huge. Obviously, A1 milk is no way better than A2 milk.

The beta-casein in A1 milk has a structure that allows a short molecule called beta-casomorphin-7 or BCM-7 to split off during digestion. Some foreign researchers say that this small protein can cause various problems ranging from juvenile diabetes, autism, schizophrenia, allergies to auto-immune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. While the percentage of people with immediate effects is very small, the consequences are severe for affected individuals. On the other hand, A2 cow milk is comparable with breast milk when it comes to health benefits and digestibility.

What Are It’s Benefits?

Being higher in nutrition values such as protein, iron, sodium, calcium, vitamin A, D, E with Omega 3 and 9 fatty acids, A2 cow ghee has many health benefits.

Slows the aging process and is good for skin & hair
Helps recover from wounds
Prevents diseases like asthma & headaches & alleviates insomnia
Best for joint massage & treating broken bones
Treats gastric issues
Lowers bad cholesterol and does not cause blockages
Makes your voice soft
Great for people who are trying to lose weight
Boost immunity
The best option for Nasya kriya which has many benefits for health
Suitable for even lactose-intolerant people
Reduces inflammation
Excellent for growing kids and pregnant women

Hope this information is helpful. Don’t hesitate to add at least 1 tsp of A2 cow ghee in your daily diet considering its multiple benefits for your body and mind.

You can get Pure Desi A2 Cow Ghee from the GOQii Health Store for a discount using GOQii Cash – all within the GOQii App. For more on nutrition, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

January 19, 2016 By Ananya Bhattacharya 4 Comments

My Love for ‘Ghee’ and its 14 benefits

Whenever I close my eyes and recollect my childhood or pregnancy happiness’ I feel that amazing smell of Ghee, the pure, unadulterated, smooth and delicious ghee or better known as Clarified butter largely made out of Cow’s milk.

I still remember my childhood days when my mom used to fry Luchis also called Poories–Indian fried Wheat bread in ghee and I simply relished it the divine smell of ghee. And I equally relish Indian sweets made in pure claified butter. Even our lentils used to be tempered with ghee, rotis with ghee spread on them, ghee with steaming hot rice, ghee to top the veggies, ghee ke laddoos……. the list is never ending.

I grew up having loads of clarified butter, but it’s only when I did my Masters in Food & nutrition that I got a clearer view on ghee or clarified butter and my love for it.

Being a Nutritionist & a mom of two young kids, I have always been posed with the question how is it that I give my kids food with so much ghee? Well the fact is that Ghee is safe to have and that it has several nutritional benefits

Before we come to the benefits let’s look at some facts and what science says

FACTS

Ayurveda says

Among the four kinds of fat namely Gritha (ghee), Taila (oil), Vasa (fat), Majja (bone marrow) Ayurveda considers GHEE as the best among these. According to Ayurveda, ghee made from cow’s milk promotes memory, intellect and digestion. It also promotes healing of wounds, keeps the skin lustrous and maintains immunity.

Science says

Modern science has discovered that ghee is rich in antioxidants. The fats in ghee aid absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals from other foods, strengthening the immune system. Ghee is also rich in butyric acid, a fatty acid with anti-viral properties, which is believed to prevent cancers and tumours.

Recent research has also detected presence of linoleic acid in ghee. Linoleic acid retards the growth of some cancers and protects us from heart disease. This acid is often lacking in a vegetarian diet.

According to B S Raheja, the ex-director of All India Institute of Diabetes, the present epidemics of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers is due to not including ghee in our diets.

Benefits of Ghee

Ghee is a source of beta carotene and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Beta carotene and vitamin E are vital antioxidants. Vitamin A is naturally present in ghee, which is lacking in other edible oils.
Ghee has no milk solids, lactose or sugars. These get separated out when the butter is made into ghee, so it’s good for lactose intolerant people too
Organic ghee has no additives, preservatives, oxidized cholesterol or trans-fatty acids that clog arteries.
Ghee is highly stable and does not go rancid even at room temperature.
Clarified butter has a very high smoke point than butter but lesser than oil—it does not burn at high cooking temperatures. So it’s always better to cook in ghee than butter as butter burns very easily
Ghee is primarily saturated fat. One tablespoon of ghee provides 14g of saturated fat, 28mg of cholesterol and roughly 120 calories.
Ghee is useful for both external and internal use. Because ghee helps to increase immunity, that subtle essence of tissue that is responsible for life, radiant health, vigour, longevity and overall well being.
Slows down ageing process by adding a minimum of ghee to your food everyday.
It also removes toxins from body & mind.
Ghee is beneficial in promoting growth and development in children. It also improves memory and concentration power.
Ghee has its healing properties. If used directly on cuts, wounds or burns, it has powerful healing action. It can be used to cure gangerine . ulcers etc.
Pure ghee has anti-oxidant properties which promotes healthy metabolism and aids weight loss(when used in a moderation)
Intake of Ghee reduces the cholesterol both in the serum & intestine by triggering an increased secretion of biliary lipids.
Ghee is good for nerves & brains. It helps control eye pressure and is beneficial to glaucoma patients.