What Is Gond Katira, the Cooling Superfood Instagram Can't Stop Talking About?
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Gond Khatira, a natural gum with high fibre and mineral content, offers digestive, anti-inflammatory, and bone health benefits—especially valuable during pregnancy.
Gond Khatira, also known as Tragacanth Gum, is a natural gum obtained from the stems and branches of certain plants found in India, Turkey, and Iran. Commercially, it is available in the form of flakes and ribbons. It is a viscous, odourless, and tasteless substance that is neither mutagenic, carcinogenic, nor allergenic in nature. When soaked in water, Gond Khatira swells and transforms into a gel-like substance.
Gond Khatira has wide applications across various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Its diverse industrial uses are largely attributed to its unique chemical structure.
Besides industrial applications, Gond Khatira also offers several health benefits, primarily due to its nutritional composition and high fibre content. According to Avni Kaul, leading pregnancy nutritionist and founder of Nutri Activania, here's what you need to know:
Per 100 grams, Gond Khatira contains approximately:
70 Kcals
35 grams of carbohydrates
30 grams of fibre
5 grams of hydrates
0 grams of fat
9 milligrams of sodium
When incorporated into a balanced diet, Gond Khatira can offer several potential health benefits. In India, it is commonly used to prepare nutrient-rich, energy-dense dishes such as laddus for pregnant and lactating women.
Acts as a Laxative:
Gond Khatira is not fully digested by gut enzymes. Instead, it is fermented in the gut, functioning as dietary fibre. This property may help relieve constipation, a common issue during pregnancy.
Functions as a Prebiotic:
It serves as a food source for beneficial gut bacteria, thereby supporting and enhancing digestive health.
Possesses Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
Gond Khatira has been found to reduce oxidative stress and protect against DNA damage, making it a natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Provides Analgesic Effects:
It may help alleviate back pain and joint discomfort. Certain components of Gond act on the nervous system to reduce pain sensation. While promising, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness as an analgesic. It also helps lubricate joints, contributing to improved joint health.
Supports Bone Health:
Rich in calcium and magnesium, Gond Khatira may contribute to increased bone density and overall bone strength.
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Quick Reads Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Gond katira is gaining popularity this summer for its cooling effects. The ingredient helps lower body heat and keeps users feeling refreshed. Here's what's the best time to consume it for maximum health benefits. Let's just be honest, gond katira is everywhere right now. You open Instagram, and there's a reel on how to soak it. Your WhatsApp groups are full of summer tips featuring it. Flip through any health article or home remedy blog, and there it is again. Gond katira has suddenly become the talk of the season, and for good reason. It's cooling, refreshing, and feels like exactly what our bodies need during this crazy summer heat. Of course, we all know by now that gond katira is a must-have for summer. But while everyone's busy adding it to drinks and desserts, here's the real question: what's the right time to actually have it? If you are someone who uses gond katira regularly, then this article is for you! Let's find out when you should have gond katira for its maximum benefits. Health Benefits Of Gond Katira 1. Has Cooling Properties Gond katira is best known for its cooling properties. It helps bring down body heat and keeps you feeling fresh. It is perfect for those scorching days when the sun feels unbearable. Soak it overnight and add it to chilled drinks or desserts. 2. Improves Digestion This natural gum is great for your gut health. It has fibre and enzymes that help regulate digestion, especially in summer, when stomach issues are common. Just a spoonful of gond katira can help your tummy. 3. Good For Skin Since it has hydrating properties, having gond katira can help tackle dry, irritated skin from the summer sun. It can also help soothe sunburn and rashes, and its regular intake can add a healthy glow to your skin. 4. Boosts Immunity We often fall sick more easily during seasonal changes. Thanks to its antioxidants, gond katira can help fight inflammation and support your immune system. What Is The Best Time To Have Gond Katira? Well, it depends on the kind of benefits you want to reap from this ingredient. As per Ayurveda Physician Dr Manisha Mishra, here's when you should take gond katira as per the benefit: 1. Morning: If you are looking for cooling, hydrating and antacid benefits, then have gond katira in the morning. Make sure you are taking this on an empty stomach, mixed with gulkand and soaked sabja seeds. 2. Mid-morning: If you are looking for post-partum benefits, after delivery of a baby, then have gond katira mid-morning or mid-evening. You can pair this with almonds, milk, saffron, and dates. 3. Night (After Dinner): If you are looking for a way to relieve constipation and other digestive issues, then have gond katira at night. Watch the full video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manisha Mishra Goswami (@ 5 Ways You Might Be Using Gond Katira Wrong Even though it's a simple ingredient, gond katira needs to be used properly. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid. 1. Soaking It For Too Little Time If you are soaking for just 20 minutes, that won't be enough. The gond katira won't bloom properly. The correct way is to soak it overnight with plenty of water. This way, you'll get soft, jelly-like bits you want. 2. Using Too Much In One Go It may look tiny, but gond katira expands a lot. One or two teaspoons is enough. If you add too much of it to your drink, it'll become too thick to enjoy. 3. Mixing It With Hot Drinks Gond katira is known for its cooling properties, so adding it to anything hot will defeat its purpose. Heat makes it rubbery and takes away its cooling effect. Make sure to only add it to cold drinks like rose milk, badam milk, or lemon water. 4. Skipping The Rinse After Soaking Even after blooming, it can have dust or a yellowish tinge. Always rinse it under clean water before adding it to food or drinks. This small step makes a big difference in taste and presentation. 5. Forgetting To Drink Extra Water With It
