Which ingredient, when used as a sweetener instead of refined white sugar, contributes trace amounts of minerals like iron and magnesium to the Malida Laddu?

Jaggery (unrefined cane sugar)

Jaggery, which is unrefined cane sugar, offers a mineral advantage over refined white sugar when used as the sweetener in Malida Laddu preparations. While both jaggery and refined sugar contribute substantially to the carbohydrate and overall calorie count, jaggery naturally retains trace amounts of beneficial minerals, specifically iron and magnesium, which are typically absent in highly processed refined white sugar. This variation in mineral content represents one of the key differences in micronutrient profiles between different traditional recipes, even though both contribute to the energy value through carbohydrates. The choice between these two sweeteners influences the nutritional nuance beyond just the sheer caloric load.