10 Amazing Health Benefits of Ghee

Ghee... I put that sh*t on everything.

You start to realize you have a ghee problem when your favorite Christmas present is a giant ice bucket filled with jars of ghee (and pink Himalayan sea salt, and avocado oil).  My parents totally get me, you guys.

Not only does ghee taste like nutty, buttery heaven, it also has an insane list of health benefits that give it some serious street cred.

When I say I put it on everything, it's not really an exaggeration - well, okay fine - I use it with/on the majority of all cooked foods.  A banana slathered in ghee likely wouldn't be my snack of choice.

You're possibly thinking a few things right now:

A.  What the hell even is ghee?

B.  It sounds like you're eating way too much fat - naughty, naughty!

C.  How can something made from butter have health benefits?  This goes against everything I know about life.

All valid thoughts + questions!  First, I'll give you a little background on what ghee's all about, then we can dive into the seriously awesome health benefits.

Ghee is essentially clarified butter - it's created by melting butter, letting the water evaporate, and then straining out the milk solids after they separate. If you're going to buy a jar that's already made - or whip up a batch at home, always make sure that it's organic and, even more importantly, grass-fed.

Ayurvedic practitioners are ghee's biggest fans - they've been using it for its healing properties since 6500 BC.  Talk about an ancient tradition!  They prescribe it like medicine for a whole slew of health concerns (sometimes mixing it with herbs and roots to target specific issues).

In Ayurveda, ghee is even used during cleansing as it majorly helps your body stimulate fat metabolism and release fat-soluble toxins (you know, those super-creepy ones that are stored in your fat cells until you actively try to detox).Okay, it's health benefit time:

1. High Smoke Point

Because the milk solids are removed during the process of making ghee, it has a super-high smoke point of 485°F - making it a great fat to use for all types of cooking (fats with higher smoke points decrease the risk of creating free radicals and other nasties when heated).

2. Improve Digestive Function

When we digest fiber, the awesome little bugs in our gut actually make the active ingredient in ghee - butyric acid - on their own. They use it to keep the gut healthy, detoxified, and properly sealed, and they also gobble it up as a source of energy. Because of this, once we ingest ghee it's in a familiar environment and our body knows exactly what to do with it.  Many people with leaky gut or other digestive issues have a severe lack of butyric acid - so supplementing with ghee is a great way to increase levels and improve digestion. Ghee also stimulates the release of gastric acid, supports healthy insulin levels, and encourages the generation of new (and the flushing out of oil) bile.

3. Maintain Healthy Weight + Boost Detoxification

Once ingested, the medium-chain fatty acids found in ghee help burn the toxic/bad fats in our body by attracting stubborn fat-soluble toxins from our cells and helping to flush them out.  This increased fat metabolism is great for those trying to shed pounds, or maintain a healthy weight. Also, it's important to note that consuming fat does not make you fat- it's absolutely essential for a healthy body.

4. Strengthen Immune System

Due to its powerful gut-health-boosting and detoxification properties, ghee is the immune system's best friend (around 80% of your immune system lives in your gut).  It also packs a powerful combo of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits which promote an alkaline environment in the body, making it extremely difficult for disease to thrive.

5. Balance Hormones

Our endocrine system thrives on healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins (like vitamin D and E found in ghee) - which makes ghee a super-effective tool for balancing hormones and thus maintaining a healthy metabolism, increasing energy, and boosting the libido.

6. Strengthen Bones

Ghee is rich in vitamin K2, which helps the body make use of calcium - supporting healthy bone growth and helping to prevent tooth decay.

7. Great Alternative for Dairy Sensitivities

Since the process of making ghee requires the removal of milk solids and impurities, people with lactose and casein sensitivities are typically safe to eat it as an alternative to butter (test this with caution, or consult your doctor before trying for yourself, of course).

8. Reduce Risk of Heart Disease + Cancer

The CLA (or conjugated linoleic fatty acid) found in grass-fed ghee can help lower cholesterol, stabilize blood pressure, and combat cancer cells.

9. Increase Flexibility

The CLA in ghee also lubricates joints and connective tissue and promotes lean muscle mass - it's even been used to help soothe chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

10. Beauty Booster

Your skin's best friend - ghee can be used instead of body lotion, moisturizer, lip balm, and cuticle cream.  It's also been said that topical application can help eliminate dark under eye circles. 

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  The information contained on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.