Ashu’s Curiosity
Ashu is very choosy about what he eats in his diet. He prefers to have only those foods that are not nutritious and healthy but great in taste and flavour.
This time when his aunt visited them, she bought some homemade laddus for him. In a first beat, he observed that these laddus are bursts of savour.
When he asked his aunt about the laddus, she told him that this mouth-watery recipe is called gondh laddu. These laddus are prepared by using gondh as a primary ingredient.
Ashu has never heard about this but his mother informed him that gondh is a great winter superfood that can provide essential nutrients, boost immunity and prevent chronic diseases.
But Ashu needs to know more about the benefits of Gondh, so he searched on Know Ur Diet. Let us see what he finds:
What is Gondh? How is it Extracted?
Gondh popularly called Gum Arabic is a unique ingredient traditionally used throughout India to prepare various Indian dishes.
Gondh is a natural gum that is extracted from some specific trees, especially from Acacia trees. The extracted resin is dried and turned into small translucent crystals that are later sold in the market.
This edible gum has multiple utilisations ranging from cooking, traditional medicines and even the manufacturing of cosmetics. Gondh is especially consumed in the winter seasons because it can provide warmth to the body.
However, Gondh can also be consumed for other health benefits. So, let us discuss some of these edible gum benefits.
Read more about Herbs & Spices
Fun Fact about Gondh or Gum Arabic
As the name suggests Gondh or Gum Arabic was first harvested in the Arabic region of Africa. The Arabian traders brought this ingredient with them and spread it throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Even the European colonial powers took Gum Arabic with them to the European continent where it was experimented in manufacturing various food products. Sudan is the largest producer of Gum Arabic and in India, Gondh is produced in the western states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Punjab.
Health Benefits of Gondh or Gum Arabic
Due to its multiple health benefits, Gondh is traditionally used throughout India to prepare various dishes and desserts. Even some Ayurvedic medicines are also prepared by using Gondh as a main ingredient. Let us discuss some of these edible gum benefits:
Rich in Antioxidants
Including Gondh in your daily diet can allow you to fulfil your nutritional needs. Not only that, Gondh can provide antioxidants that are essential to reduce the harmful effects of free radicals.
Many of these antioxidants protect vital organs like the heart, kidney, liver and others from chronic diseases. Free radicals can damage the cells and lead to tumours and cancer.
Boosts Energy
During winter you need a boost of energy and Gondh is a great option for that. Gondh is a rich source of carbohydrates that are required to provide energy spikes.
If you consume Gondh laddu in the morning, it can provide you with essential energy to perform your work throughout the day.
Supports Joint Health
Maintaining Joint health is really important to avoid any damage to joints and bones. This is especially crucial for older people because they suffer from multiple bone issues due to age.
Gondh is rich in minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium that can strengthen the bones and joints. Studies have shown that consuming Gum Arabic can help you in faster recovery from fractures and Arthritis.
Improves Digestion
One of the major reasons for eating Gondh is that it can support proper digestion and prevent many other gut-related problems. If you are suffering from digestion issues like constipation and bloating then you should include Gum Arabic in your diet.
Also, Gondh carries a lot of soluble fiber that can provide a good environment for the growth of gut bacteria. Due to its gel-like compound, gondh can help in the faster movement of food through the digestive tract.
Regulate Blood Circulation
Proper Blood circulation helps smooth the movement of nutrients and minerals throughout the body. Gondh has nutrients like protein that are essential for the development of new blood cells. These new cells help in faster blood circulation and recovery from any physical injury.
Prevents Respiratory Disease
Winter is a season when you are most vulnerable to respiratory diseases like the common cold and coughing. Even the patients of Asthma are at risk of having problems in breathing.
Gondh is a great winter food. Thanks to its nutritional content it has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. These properties can help in preventing respiratory diseases.
Strengthens Immunity
As we have mentioned above, winters always need a better immunity against illnesses. Gondh carries minerals and compounds that can help you strengthen your immunity against these winter illnesses.
Due to its immunity-boosting ability, Gondh is considered a great ingredient for traditional medicines. Eating it during a fever can help you to reduce the impact because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Helps in Postpartum Recovery
Mothers post-birth need foods that can accelerate their recovery. Gondh has been used for centuries in preparing meals for new mothers. It helps in faster recovery, relief of pain and supports breastfeeding.
Moreover, eating Gondh laddu post-pregnancy can boost the immunity of the new mother. This is a time when she is vulnerable to multiple illnesses like diarrhea, pneumonia and other diseases.
Good for Skin and Hair
Most of us face hair and skin-related problems, especially during winter. For centuries, medics have suggested Gondh for skin and hair. Gum Arabic is regularly used by cosmetic brands to manufacture skincare products.
Gondh has moisturizing properties that make it a great food for the skin. If you are suffering from a dry scalp then it can help you in this condition as well. There are studies that have proved the benefits of gondh for hair by showing how it can nourish hair follicles.
Weight Management
If you are planning to lose some weight this winter, then you should include gondh in your diet plan. The reasons are simple, it is rich in soluble fibers that can help feel satiated for a long period. This can cut down your intake of high-calorie foods.
One of the gondh laddu benefits is that it can help in boosting metabolism. This boost can assist in faster burning of calories and weight loss.
Due to these health benefits of Gondh, it has multiple uses in different industries not only in culinary. Following are certain uses of it.
Uses of Gondh
In Food Industry
The food industry is the major consumer of Gondh or Gum Arabic due to its health benefits and nutritional value. It is used as a food additive because of its stabilizer and emulsifier properties. Companies that manufacture soft drinks, candies, chewing gum etc, use it to provide texture and flavour to their final product.
Cosmetics or Skin care Products
The cosmetic industry utilises gondh as a raw material to manufacture lotions, moisturizers and sun creams. This is because it has compounds that provide the required hydration and smoothness to the skin. Skin products for ageing are also manufactured by adding Gondh because it can prevent ageing signs.
Herbal Remedies
For many centuries, gondh has been used in traditional medicines for treating ailments. Some of these illnesses are digestive issues, and inflammations and also treat coughing and sore throats. To make it more effective you can add it with honey and other herbs.
Industrial Uses
Other than the pharmaceutical and food industries, there are some other industries like ink, paint and adhesives that utilise gondh for its sticky and flexible nature.
In Indian Desserts
Gondh is a common ingredient that you can find in Indian kitchens, especially during winter. Some famous desserts like Gondh laddu, Gondh Chikki, Gondh ki Kheer, Panjiri and Gondh pak are prepared by using it. Also, it can be utilised to prepare kadhas to cure colds and coughing.
Gondh Side Effects
Although Gondh has various health benefits and uses, there are certain side effects of gondh that you can experience. Some of them are:
Digestive Issues- No doubt that Gondh is great for curing gut problems, but over-consumption can lead to digestive issues like bloating, gas and diarrhoea. Fibers in it can cause gastrointestinal problems if consumed in high quantities.
Allergic Reactions- Although this is rare you can face some allergic reactions after eating Gondh. Some of these symptoms are skin rashes, itching and even breathing problems.
Interference of Medication- Compounds in Gondh could interfere with the absorption of certain medicines. This is especially problematic with people taking medication for blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. Consult your doctor before adding Gondh to your diet.
Conclusion
Ashu is satisfied with the information provided by Know Ur Diet about the health benefits of Gondh. An extract from the Acacia Tree, Gum Arabic has multiple uses in different industries. It is a common ingredient in Indian kitchens during winter due to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties. You can also eat Gondh for skin and hair benefits.
However, like other edible substances, Gondh should be consumed in moderation because of gondh side effects like Digestive Issues, Allergic reactions and even interference with certain medications. Now, Ashu has decided to tell his mother about gondh laddu benefits so that she can consider it for winter desserts.
