Diwali and the smog that follows is a killer when it comes to our health. That could probably be the reason why our elders ate jaggery, (gur) in winters. The more plausable explanation is that it helps keeps the body warm. But there are several other benefits of gur. Besides the fact that it is healthier than sugar, it contains a number of vitamins and minerals like phosphorous, iron, magnesium and potassium and is a natural cure for cough, cold, migraine, asthma, fatigue and indigestion. Second, it activates the digestive enzymes in the body, stimulates bowel movements and thus helps prevents constipation. Third, it cleanses the liver by flushing out harmful toxins from the body. And most importantly, jaggery puriiesy the blood. When consumed on a regular basis and in limited quantities, it cleanses the blood, leaving the body healthy.