Jaggery is an unrefined sweetener that has been used for a long time in almost every part of the world. This natural sugar is definitely healthier and has many health benefits that can fight refined white sugar. It is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Other than that, its glycemic index is lower compared to white sugar; hence, it is a better choice for people with diabetes or who are looking to maintain a normal blood sugar level. Furthermore, jaggery provides an interesting flavor that is certainly a good way to sweeten food without the excessively sweet taste of white sugar. We are going to see the reasons to support the fact that jaggery is the best option in comparison to sugar in this paper.
Does Jaggery really better than Sugar?
Jaggery is basically a sweet substance that is prepared from the juice of the sugar in the meantime or palm sap, and it is quite popular in India, Africa and in some parts of Asia. Despite the fact that it is commonly used as a substitute for unrefined sugar, the question of if jaggery is better than sugar is still a complex one.
Jaggery not only is higher in vitamins and minerals than sugar, but is also higher in calories and carbohydrates. However, jaggery is additionally found to contain impurities like sand and ash, which could be dangerous for human health.
Eventually, it depends on how the individual is and what his personal health objectives are, whether jaggery is better than sugar or not.
nutritional value of Jaggery.
- Rich in Iron
- High in Antioxidants
- Good Source of Calcium
- Contains Potassium and Magnesium
- Low in Fat
- High in Dietary Fiber
- Rich in Vitamin B12
- Contains a Variety of Minerals
- Low Glycemic Index
- Zero Cholesterol
10 Reasons why Jaggery better Than Sugar.
1. Jaggery is a Natural Sweetener.
Jaggery, which comes from natural products such as cane sugar, palm sugar, and jaggery from date palm, and thus unrefined, is inherently a healthy option in place of sugar. It is high in vitamins and minerals and, therefore, very beneficial for health compared to normal, refined sugar products.
2. Jaggery is Rich in Antioxidants.
The reason why jaggery is high in antioxidants is that these antioxidants are good at eliminating the free radicals in the body. These free radicals are responsible for cell damage and commissions of various diseases in the body, hence consuming jaggery is a way of protecting from these damages.(1)
3. Jaggery is a Source of Iron.
Jaggery is a rich source of iron, necessary for the production of hemoglobin and the oxygen transportation in the blood.
4. Jaggery is Good for Digestion.

Jaggery has properties that are excellent for improving your digestive system. This is possible due to the high fiber content in jaggery, and thanks to this, it can be helpful to stimulate digestive enzymes.
5. Jaggery Can Help Boost Immunity.
Jaggery is a strong source of vitamins and minerals that can aid in boosting the immune system. It is believed to have the potential to diminish inflammation and support protection against microbial attacks.
6. Jaggery Can Help Control Blood Pressure.
Jaggery is a good source of potassium, which is important for controlling blood pressure. It also helps reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
7. Jaggery Can Help Control Blood Sugar Levels.
Jaggery helps regulate blood sugar levels due to its slow release of energy. It also helps prevent spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes and other health problems.
8. Jaggery Can Help Improve Skin and Hair Health.
Jaggery is rich in minerals and vitamins, which can help improve skin and hair health. It also helps reduce wrinkles and blemishes.
9. Jaggery Can Help Reduce Stress.

Jaggery is believed to help reduce stress and fatigue due to its calming and relaxing effects.
10. Jaggery Can Help Boost Energy Levels.
Jaggery is a good source of energy due to its high levels of carbohydrates. It can also help improve stamina and endurance.
How to eat Jaggery for maximum health benefits?
- Begin with Jaggery of small piece. Don t hurry and enjoy.
- Moderation in eating jaggery. You can attempt to use one to two teaspoons with each day.
- Consume jaggery along with other foods e.g. fruits, nuts or whole grains. This will assist towards achieving balance of your sugar and extra nutrients.
- Munch jaggery and then swallow it. This aids in the breaking down of the sugar so that your body can be able to absorb the good components of the sugar.
- Consume a lot of water along with jaggery as it will boost the digestive capacity of your body on consuming the sugar.
- It is preferable to avoid taking jaggery with processed foods since this may elevate the level of sugar that you consume and reduce the health value of jaggery.
People Often Ask.
Weight loss can be attained by use of Jaggery in place of sugar. It is unrefined, and it is made out of organic sugarcane or date palm that is why it keeps some of the minerals and vitamins inserted in the original plant.
It has a low glycemic index in comparison to sugar, the ability to delay absorption into blood tends to reduce the urge of taking sugars as well as stabilizing the level of blood sugar.
Jaggery is also a richer source of potassium, magnesium, calcium as compared to sugar and this can boost the digestion and metabolism which will facilitate the process of weight loss.
Jaggery is a natural raw sweetener; it can be produced by evaporating sugarcane juice or date palm juice and is widespread in India as well as other regions of Asia. It tastes in its own way and is mostly applied as an alternative to sugar in most of the dishes.
It is also lower in calories and higher in minerals than the refined sugar because it is produced naturally; hence it is more appropriate to diabetics. Research has also indicated that jaggery has the potential to enhance insulin level even in cases where a low-calorie diet is required hence producing it as more preferable to diabetics.
Along with this fact another belief exists that jaggery may also relieve inflammation and may take part in the digestive system which would then control the sugar levels in the blood.
When deciding which one to choose between jaggery, sugar or honey, it will be a matter of preference. They all are sweeteners, yet they have different positive and disadvantageous health effects. Jaggery is minimally processed and is full of vitamins and minerals, and sugar lacks them.
Honey is also very rich in antioxidants, it is also antibacterial. It can be concluded that the choice between the two is left to the person and depends on his or her own dietary requirements.
Jaggery is produced out of concentrated sugar cane juice or sap of some palms including the date palm. This juice is boiled in large pans until they thicken and then start crystalizing.
The jaggery is then simply cooled down and is shaped and cut into various forms and sizes. Because of region and the place of production, jaggery differs with type of color and texture as well. The jaggery is then sold as a natural sweetener.
Jaggery is a type of sugar which is made of unrefined sugarcane juice. Although it is not as sweet as the refined sugar, it is richer. There are centuries of its experience in cooking and traditional cures of some diseases. Studies have revealed that jaggery is not devoid of sugar but there has been no evidence which has indicated that it raises the sugar levels in the body.
Nonetheless, one must remember to eat jaggery sparingly because it contains calories which make it the reason behind weight gain. Moreover, it is necessary to mention that people who have diabetes are not supposed to take jaggery since it may lead to increasing the level of the sugar in the human body.
The amount of calories present in jaggery as compared to sugar can also differ according to the kind of jaggery or sugar used in comparison. In general terms, jaggery has slightly higher number of calories (as compared to sugar), where, jaggery has approximately 383 cal per 100g of the product, and sugar has about 387 cal per 100 gm of the product.
But jaggery is said to be more nutritious than sugar on the ground that it contains more minerals and it has been used instead of sugar as a healthy source.
A classical example is jaggery which is an unpolished sugar crop of the sugar cane or palm sap. It is very prevalent as a sweetener in India and throughout other areas of Asia and it is additionally referred to as gur, gud or panella. Jaggery can contain very high sugar formula and can range between 50 percent to 90 percent depending on the type of sugar cane used to produce jaggery.
It is also rich in lots of minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium and also in various vitamins like B6, B12, riboflavin, niacin and folic acids. Jaggery is one of the best natural sweeteners which can be a great substitute to the white sugar or any other extremely processed sweeteners.
Jaggery The unrefined and untreated sugar which is obtained as a juice of the sugar cane or palm sap. Jaggery is also of a high dose of numerous compounds of vitamins, minerals, thus a great alternative to white refined sugar. The consumption of the jaggery is going to be personal development and calorie need that is advised rather partially.
The amount to be taken is 1-2 teaspoons and it is based on your weight and level of activity. Eating too much jaggery may lead to overweight and development of other health problems; it is important to consume it in amounts that will be sufficient to you.
Take Away.
Jaggery may also replace sugar as it is natural sweetener and it has a lot of good-to-health qualities making it a great tonic to health. It carries a certain flavor, contains antioxidants and it also contains low glycemic index. In addition to that, the sweet also remains unrefined, contains minerals and other nutrients that one does not find in sugar. Thus jaggery is the safe alternative of sugar and it is better to make food and drinks sweet in the presence of jaggery alone without any malappropriation to health.
+1 Source
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- Value Addition and Fortification in Non-Centrifugal Sugar (Jaggery): A Potential Source of Functional and Nutraceutical Foods; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8314846/
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Jul 3, 2025
Written By: Rosanne Rust
Reviewed By: Corissa S.
Written By: Rosanne Rust
Reviewed By: Corissa S.