Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious festivals for the Hindus that is celebrated almost everywhere across the country, in many forms and kinds, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety.
Since this is the harvest time of the year, harvest festivals like Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal are celebrated all across the country under different names. To celebrate the joy, various dishes are prepared. Consuming til(sesame) and gud(jaggery) are said to be auspicious on Makar Sankranti. In all households, sweets are prepared with these two ingredients that the family savours and are also distributed to friends and family.
Let’s Know The Health Significance Of Til(Sesame) and Gud(Jaggery):
There is a scientific reason behind the consumption of sesame and jaggery on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. During the winters, when the body requires heat, these jaggery and sesame laddoos work well to provide energy and heat. Sesame is considered to be rich in oil and contains calcium, carbohydrate, protein and B complex. Jaggery also has a hot nature. The laddoos that we make by mixing jaggery and sesame, bring significant heat to our body during winters. Sesame and jaggery provide a lot of warmth to the body and help in keeping the body healthy. This is the reason behind making sesame and jaggery laddoos on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, said Dr. Sukeshini Ramteke, Physiotherapy, Yoga Therapy, Fitness, Dietitian & Nutritionist at AXIS Hospital, Mumbai.
She said Jaggery and Sesame can also be consumed by making different recipes. Its consumption helps in keeping the blood pressure under control, improves the digestive system, strengthens bones and relieves arthritis pain during the winter season. Apart from this, it contains a lot of nutrients that help in reducing the risk of diseases.