Daily ghee consumption limit:
Indian cuisine is deemed incomplete without ghee and oil, essential components of Indian food. In Indian kitchens, both ghee and oil are indispensable, used in meals throughout the day. While oil is a staple in every household for cooking, ghee is generously added to bread, vegetables, and lentils. Although store-bought ghee is sometimes seen as unhealthy, homemade ghee is considered highly nutritious and widely used.
In a recent interview at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, interventional cardiologist Dr. Praveen Chandra discussed the appropriate amount of desi ghee and oil Indians should consume for heart health.
During the discussion, Dr. Chandra highlighted the traditional methods of cooking and eating in India. It was customary to consume fried or special foods only on occasions like birthdays, weddings, or functions, limiting such indulgence to five to six times a year, while most days featured simpler, uncooked meals.
Dr. Chandra explained that in the past, the most expensive items on a plate were oil or desi ghee, with grains and vegetables being the cheapest. It was believed that people with fewer economic resources were less prone to heart diseases, which were often associated with affluent individuals. However, with oil now more affordable, heart diseases have become more widespread.
Previously, it was advised to use just one spoonful of ghee to last an entire month. Now, with everything available cheaply and easily, the balance of the Indian diet has been disrupted. Moreover, genetic factors necessitate lighter meals for Indians, who naturally have higher bad cholesterol levels, increasing their risk of heart disease.
Dr. Chandra stated that desi ghee and vegetable oils are safe unless they are hydrogenated. Hydrogenation turns oil white and granular, which is unhealthy.
According to Dr. Chandra, consuming 1 to 2 teaspoons of ghee and oil daily is safe. You can use one teaspoon of ghee and one teaspoon of oil. While vegetable oil is generally considered healthy, animal fat-based oils, high in saturated fats, are deemed harmful as they significantly increase bad cholesterol levels.
Source: aajtak
Heart attack cases are alarmingly rising. According to the 2022 NCRB National Crime Bureau report, India's heart attack death statistics reveal that 70% of deaths occur in individuals aged 30 to 60. In 2022, there were 32,457 heart attack-related deaths.
