The Science Behind Panjeeri’s Warmth: Why Your Body Loves It in Cold Climates
- Desi Panjeeri Team
- Dec 9
- 4 min read
When winter arrives and the temperature starts dropping, your body works harder to stay warm, energetic, and balanced. This is why many cultures have traditional winter foods that support the body from the inside. For South Asians, one of the most popular winter foods is Panjeeri—a rich, nourishing blend of roasted whole wheat flour, ghee, nuts, seeds, and warm spices.
But beyond taste and nostalgia, Panjeeri has a lot of science behind why it makes you feel warm, fuller, and more energetic. The key concept is thermogenesis—the process where your body produces heat. Panjeeri is one of the rare foods that naturally stimulates this process in multiple ways. Let’s explore how it works.
1. What Is Thermogenesis?
Thermogenesis simply means heat production inside the body. Your body uses calories to create heat and maintain its internal temperature. Some foods make this process faster and more efficient. These foods are called thermogenic foods.
There are three major types of thermogenesis:
Diet-induced thermogenesis: the energy your body spends digesting food.
Exercise-related thermogenesis: heat produced through physical movement.
Non-exercise thermogenesis: heat produced by brown fat and metabolic activity.
Panjeeri activates the first and third types because of its high-quality fats, protein, complex carbs, and warm spices.
2. Why Panjeeri Makes You Feel Warm Immediately
When you eat Panjeeri, you feel warm almost instantly because of:
Ghee and healthy fats
Warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and ginger
Nuts and seeds full of good fats and minerals
Complex carbs from whole wheat flour
These ingredients work together to increase your metabolic rate, meaning your body burns calories faster and produces more heat.
Ghee: The Natural Metabolic Booster
Ghee contains medium-chain fatty acids, which the body breaks down quickly. This process increases heat production. Ghee also supports digestion, which itself creates warmth.
Warm Spices: Tiny Ingredients, Big Impact
Spices like cinnamon and ginger are known as thermogenic spices. They tell your body to increase metabolic activity, which produces heat. This is why people often feel warmer after drinking masala chai.
Protein and Healthy Fats from Nuts
Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and seeds take longer to digest. The longer digestion time = more heat is produced.
3. Slow Release Energy: The Secret to Staying Warm for Hours
One of the best features of Panjeeri is how it provides slow, steady energy. This is because it contains a balanced mix of:
Carbohydrates (whole wheat)
Protein (nuts & seeds)
Fats (ghee)
This combination stabilises blood sugar and ensures that your body has continuous fuel for warmth—unlike sugary snacks that give quick highs and crashes.
This is why new mothers, children, students, and workers in cold climates benefit so much from Panjeeri. It gives long-lasting comfort without making you feel heavy or sleepy when made correctly.
4. How Panjeeri Supports Digestion in Winter
Cold weather slows down digestion in many people. But Panjeeri contains digestive-friendly ingredients:
Ginger helps reduce bloating.
Fennel seeds support digestion.
Ghee lubricates the digestive tract.
Wheat provides fibre.
Good digestion itself creates a healthy amount of internal heat (diet-induced thermogenesis). So when digestion works smoothly, your body naturally feels warmer and more energetic.
5. Panjeeri and Hormonal Balance During Cold Months
Winter often triggers:
Low energy
Increased cravings
Hormonal fluctuations
Stress and mood dips
The warming foods in Panjeeri—especially nuts, natural sugars, and spices—help balance hormones by:
Stabilizing blood sugar
Supporting thyroid function
Reducing inflammation
Improving serotonin production
Cinnamon, in particular, helps with insulin sensitivity, which is key in preventing winter fatigue and sugar cravings.
6. Panjeeri Helps Your Body Fight the Cold Naturally
Because of its thermogenic properties, Panjeeri essentially helps your body do two things:
Produce more heat
Retain that heat for longer
This is why it’s traditionally eaten in colder regions of Pakistan and India, especially by people who work long hours outdoors, new mothers recovering from childbirth, and children who need extra strength and warmth.
7. The Perfect Winter Snack for Modern Lifestyles
Panjeeri is not just a traditional snack—it fits perfectly into modern living. Whether you’re a student, a busy professional, or someone who gets cold easily, Panjeeri works as:
A pre-workout energy booster
A morning breakfast bite
A mid-day stabiliser
A bedtime winter treat
Because of its nutrient density, you need just a small portion (1–2 tablespoons) to feel energised and warm.
8. Why Your Body Loves Panjeeri in Cold Climates
To summarise, here’s what makes Panjeeri scientifically ideal for winter:
Thermogenic spices increase heat production
Cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom activate metabolism.
Healthy fats keep you warm for longer
Ghee and nuts support slow digestion, releasing energy steadily.
Complex carbs provide long-lasting heat
Wheat flour offers grounded energy that stabilizes blood sugar.
Protein helps muscle recovery and warmth
Nuts and seeds support muscle metabolism.
Helps digestion, which increases internal warmth
Warm spices and ghee create a healthy digestive “fire.”
Supports immune function
Zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants from nuts protect the body during winter.
Reduces cravings and stabilizes mood
Balances hormones and supports serotonin production.
Panjeeri isn’t just a food—it’s a complete winter support system packed into a few spoonfuls.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional if you have allergies, medical conditions, or dietary restrictions before consuming Panjeeri regularly.
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