Galgal (Hill lemon), native to Eastern Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand in India & Nepal are large fragrant lemons commonly used in Indian curries and traditional medicines.
Galgal is one of the three earliest citrus species from which other citrus varieties were developed through natural or artificial hybridization.
Not only is the hill lemon beneficial for our health, but its nutritious thick rind is also used for medicinal purposes.
Interestingly, Galgal (also known as khatta or hill lemon) can withstand as much as 25 F temperature. Moreover, these pulpy Hill lemons are highly acidic and minimal in sugar content.
Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:
Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural
If you are unsure about adding Galgal to your food, read on to know the amazing benefits of hill lemons:
1. Promotes Cardiac Health
Being a good source of vitamin C, Galgal or citrus lowers the risk of heart strokes.
Intake of a commonly-found lemon fulfills 51% of your daily vitamin C need. In comparison, Galgal has a higher concentration of vitamin C.
Research has shown that adding vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C to your diet greatly reduces the risk of heart disease.
In addition to vitamin C, Galgal lemons have high fiber and potassium content that also play a role in lowering the risk of heart attacks
2. Helps With Weight Loss
Lemons are commonly used in weight-loss diets. One of the reasons is a higher concentration of pectin fiber that expands in the stomach to give you a fuller feeling for a long.
However, pectic isn’t found in lemon juice but in lemon pulp and rind. Galgal lemons have thicker rinds that are rich in pectin.
A study conducted on mice following a flattening diet were given polyphenol extracts from lemon peels. The mice gained minimal weight compared to the other mice group.
Thus, Galgal rinds are effective in promoting faster weight loss.
Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:
Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural
3. Prevents Anaemia
Vegans are often anaemic because our blood easily absorbs iron (heme iron) from chicken, meat, and fish, but doesn’t absorb iron (non-heme) from plant foods properly. Adding vitamin C and citric acids to your diet promotes easy absorption of Iron.
Therefore, Galgal, rich in vitamin C and citric acid, prevents anaemia by increasing iron absorption from plant-based foods.
Therefore, Indian households who use Galgal along with vegan foods are less likely to suffer from anaemia.
4. Improves Digestive Health
Galgal contain only about 10% carbs, mostly as simple sugars or soluble fiber.
They are a rich source of pectin, a soluble fiber responsible for several health benefits. It not only improves gut health but also slows down the digestion of starch and sugar, which leads to low blood sugar levels.
However, most of this fiber is present in the pulp rather than in Galgal juice.
5. Lower Risk of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are formed due to the crystallization of waste products that build up in your kidneys. People who get kidney stones once often get them frequently.
The citric acid present in Galgal helps in preventing kidney stones by increasing urine pH and volume. It reduces the chances of formation of kidney stones due to continual washing out of kidneys.
Surprisingly, only about ½ cup of Galgal juice a day can considerably lower the risk of kidney stone formation.
Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:
Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural
6. Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Hill lemons are a rich source of flavonoids, especially carotenoids. These phytonutrients are anti-inflammatory and protect the cells against oxidative stress and cell damage that leads to cancer.
Galgal lemons are full of antioxidants to prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and age-related cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
How to use Galgal at Home?
In Uttarakhand, the Galgal pulp is added in salads (mixed with chutney of mustard leaves) with a little seasoning and smoked effect.
Its juicy pulp is also used to make concentrates known as ‘chukh’ when fresh hill lemons aren’t available. Galgal is most commonly used to make murabba or pickles for its thick rind.
Final Verdict
Galgal lemons are rich in nutrient and adding it to your diet promotes heart health, cognitive health, and kidney health. Unlike limes, these large-sized lemons are a richer source of vitamin C, citric acids, pectin, and phytonutrients.
5 Benefits of Lemon During Pregnancy, click here
For 6 Surprising Benefits of Gulkand for Skin, click here
Read 6 Benefits of Fennel Seeds (Saunf), click here
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Please do have a look of our wide variety of products prepared using citrus fruits like Galgal & Lemon:
Galgal-Gur Pickle (Khatte ka achaar)
Pineapple & Kairi Panna
StreetStyle Lemon Pickle – Neembu ka Khatta Achar
Lemon Pickle #MomMade
Cape Gooseberry and Mint Jam
Amla Sharbat – Suncooked and 100% Natural
Homemade Authentic Gingerale
Kokum Sharbat – Homemade and 100% Natural
