Health Benefits of Kanji Drink for Gut and Immunity
Table of Contents
Kanji, is a widely popular Indian fermented drink made out of black or red carrots, during the winter months of the year. It is a rich source of probiotics often useful for digestive and immune-boosting benefits. Along with it being a high source of probiotics, it is also rich in vitamins and antioxidants with several health benefits.
Kanji Drink: Probiotic Health Benefits You Should Know
- IMPROVES DIGESTION
Kanji, the most popular fermented drink that is full of probiotics that improves the gut health and digestion. Probiotics, also known as the pool of microorganisms that aid the digestive health. Probiotics play a role in maintaining the gut microbe balance. It might seem not so important, but a gut-microbiota imbalance can lead to an unbalanced gut health. Kanji is known to contribute to digestive disorders like indigestion, bloating, constipation and even gas. The fermented kanji and the microorganisms present in it, produces digestive enzymes to breakdown the food into smaller units, thus helping in digestion.
- BOOSTS IMMUNITY
Kanji drink is one of the best source of vitamins like vitamin C which is particularly known for improving one’s immunity and the antioxidants present in it also helps in neutralising the free radicals produced, out of the body’s metabolic reactions. The free radicals produced, causes harm to the body’s healthy cells and tissues compromising their health and causes premature aging. The probiotics in the kanji drink, not only helps in gut health but also helps in producing the immune cells in the body like the lymphocytes and macrophages, aiding in killing the pathogens.
Kanji, has lots of dietary fibres as well amounting to a healthy amount of roughage as well. Dietary fibres helps in aiding one’s digestion, by regulating the bowel movement. Therefore, regular consumption of kanji would help with appropriate appetite, hunger issues and prevent overeating as well. The probiotics would also influence the microbes to manage the hormones which controls the hunger. Also the constituents of this drink makes it one of the healthiest and low-calorie drink, ever, thus causing no guilt in consuming it regularly.
- ENHANCES SKIN HEALTH
Kanji has accounted to its role in improving skin texture and quality. The probiotics in kanji has a direct role in improving the skin health. Imbalance in the gut microbiota often leads to direct skin conditions like inflammations, acne and even eczema.
- LEADS TO DETOXIFICATION
Kanji, the fermented drink has load of organic acids like lactic and acetic acid in it. These organic acids are known to detoxify the harmful free radicals, generated in the body. Also, kanji drink has high levels of dietary fibres which would enable a good bowel movement thus helping in detoxifying the entire system. This is one of the most important health benefit of Kanji drink.
- IMPROVES LIVER HEALTH
The liver has a role of detoxification, breaking down fats into smaller emulsified globules. Organic acids like lactic and acetic acid, found in kanji drink, enhances the liver function thus increasing the fat breakdown in the body. Also the microorganisms present in the fermented drink helps in removing the harmful substances, thus lowering the burden of the liver.
- EXCELLENT HYDRATION
Kanji, made out of carrots and water mainly provides ample hydration just like a glass of water would, just better. Hydration is required by every living being for all the bodily functions like digestion, absorption, assimilation, thermoregulation and even excretion. Periodic consumption of kanji along with proper physical activities makes sure better health.
- REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
The enormous amount of dietary fibres in the kanji drink, make the blood sugar rise very steadily instead of sudden spikes in the body. Probiotics present in the kanji drink, also enables a better managing of the blood glucose levels in the body.
KANJI DRINK RECIPES
- Traditional Black Carrot Kanji Recipe
Ingredients
- Black carrots/ Normal orange carrots
- Mustard seeds
- Black salt
- Red Chilli Powder
- Water
Instructions:
- The black carrots are washed and peeled into long sticks. A grater can be used as well to grate them.
- Few mustard seeds and black salt could be added too, while mixing the content into a juice.
- 4-5 cups of water to be poured into the glass jar.
- The grated pieces are to be added in a mixer and mixed thoroughly into a thick juice.
- The juice to be poured into glasses and chilled, before consumed.
- Beetroot Kanji Recipe
Ingredients:
- Beetroot
- Carrots
- Mustard Seeds (Rai Seeds)
- Black Salt
- Red Chilli Powder
- Water
Instructions:
- The beetroots and the carrots are to be peeled into thin slices. A “thin slice” grater can be used alternatively.
- All the slices are then, to be put in the glass jar.
- The mustard seeds, red chilli and the black salt are to be added along with the carrots and beetroot.
- Water, as per wish to be added and stirred well.
- The ingredients should be mixed well and stirred.
- The juice then to be poured out in a glass, ready to be served.
Nutritional Facts of KANJI DRINK
FAQs ON KANJI DRINK HEALTH BENEFITS
- Is Kanji drink safe for people prone to allergies?
Yes. Unless and until someone is allergic to mustard seeds or carrots, everyone should be fine when kanji is consumed regularly.
- Is Kanji drink safe for pregnant woman?
Generally, yes. However, as every pregnancy is different and one of a kind. So, it would be best if a board-certified dietician like Dt. Rukhsana Azhar could be consulted. Overconsumption might cause bloating in some people, though.
- How often should one drink kanji juice?
For best results of Kanji juice, one should take the consultation of a dietician like the Dt. Rukhsana Azhar for appropriate number of times to be consumed. However, one glass of kanji, daily can be beneficial.
- Can kanji juice be stored?
Yes, definitely! Kanji can be stored, once fermented. It can be stored in the refrigerator for upto a week or two. However, it is better to store it in a glass jar instead of plastic jars. That way, the benefits of kanji will be preserved for long periods of time.
Hello My Name is Dt. Ruksana Azhar and I am a certified dietician and providing online & offline services for Weight Management, PCOS/PCOD Management, Diabetes Management , etc. I have 12+ years of experience in the Apollo Hospital Delhi , Max Super Specialty Hospital Delhi, Lilavati Hospital Mumbai and VLCC healthcare Mumbai. I loves to write healthcare and lifestyle related blog. My favorite part of being a doctor is the opportunity to directly improve the health and wellbeing of my patients and to develop professional and personal relationships with them.
