Health Benefits of Sugarcane

About Sugarcane

Sugarcane belongs to the grass family (Poaceae), It is a most beneficial crop which is found in India in sufficient amount everywhere. It is available at very cheap price for everyone so anyone can be part of its beneficial aspects. It is common in northern Nigeria and mostly hawked by the Hausas of Northern Nigeria in various cities. Sugarcane can be chewed using the teeth or drink its juice which is found by crushing the peeled sugarcane in the machine. Generally its juice with lemon, mint, ginger could make an interesting drink.
Sugar has been repeatedly demonized by some health experts as if it were the monolithic cause of insulin resistance and obesity. There’s always something wrong with generalizations such as this as it is an unfair act to lynch the good with the bad. Not all sugars are evil, the same way that not all saturated fats are bad.
If we were never never meant to eat sweet foods then our tongue should have been devoid of taste receptors for sweetness. Sugar consumption (depending on the type and amount consumed) isn’t the only dietary factor to consider in determining the cause of diseases such as diabetes. A diet high in fat can cause hyperglycemia. In addition to fat, dairy has also been implicated in the development of diabetes.

IT’S THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY THAT MATTER

The real problem is ingesting large amounts of the wrong kind of sugar. The average American consumes a whopping 22 teaspoons of sugar a day in the form of refined sugar. This wouldn’t be a scary amount if regular table sugar can make people slim and smart. Unfortunately it does just the opposite.
The best source of whole sugar will always be fresh fruit. Fruits are rich in water, which dilutes the sugar. They are also high in fiber, which slows down the release of fructose in the bloodstream. Fresh fruit is also loaded with nutrients that are essential to health and healing.


THE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC CANE SUGAR

When it comes to added sugars, which ones are okay?
In terms of availability, versatility, convenience, texture, price, eco-friendliness, and nutrition the best substitute for the ubiquitous white sugar is perhaps organic cane sugar. Organic cane sugar is unrefined sugar minus the cancer-causing and environmentally damaging pesticides present in conventionally grown sugarcane. Compared to white sugar, organic cane sugar has the full-bodied taste of sugarcane and is much less processed, retaining a lot of the nutrients present in cane juice. Unrefined cane sugar contains 17 amino acids, 11 minerals, and 6 vitamins, including antioxidants that may help reverse oxidative damage. It is made up of sucrose, fructose, and glucose. Table sugar is just sucrose and calories, plus traces of chemicals utilized in the refining process such as lime, sulphur dioxide, and phosphoric acid. Organic cane sugar is not like brown sugar, which is white sugar with molasses thrown back in.
The light color of organic cane sugar is comparable to turbinado or “raw” sugar, a sign that it is less processed compared to other wholesome sweeteners such as muscovado and molasses. The closer the color of the sweetener to fresh sugarcane juice the better.
Even good sugars should be consumed within healthy limits. While organic cane sugar is much better than white and brown sugar it would be a very prudent move to consume it in conservative amounts. The American Heart Association recommends that men do not exceed their daily limit of 9 teaspoons (about 150 calories) of extrinsic sugar. Women on the other hand should not consume more than 6 teaspoons (100 calories) of added sugar a day.

BAD SUGARS ARE DISEASE MAGNETS

The following sweeteners, ironically and figuratively, leave a bad taste in the mouth with all their ill effects on health and quality of life.
White sugar or table sugar is made by stripping the nutrients and color of the sugarcane plant through a several-step refining process.Think of it as the emaciated offspring of sugarcane. It offers no substantial health benefits because all the wholesome stuff has been thrown out during its production.
Table sugar increases type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease risks. High intake of refined white sugar can also lead to the following conditions:
tooth decay
gout
immunosuppression
inflammation
pancreatic damage
multiple sclerosis
vision problems
osteoporosis
hyperactivity
hypertension
hypercholesterolemia
nutritional deficiencies
cancer
kidney problems
depression
schizophrenia
People generally buy the sugarcane juice from the street vendors. At some places it is also found at the food courts. Sugarcane juice has the combinations of sugars like the glucose, sucrose and fructose.
Sugarcane juice has variety of nutrients which aids health. Here I am mentioning some of its beneficial aspects:

Remedy for Sore Throat

Sugarcane Juice is considered as the best home remedy for the person having sore throat, flu or freezing.

Increases Muscle Power

Cane Sugar provides natural glucose to the body necessary for maintaining the muscle power.

Rehydrates Body

It removes weakness from the body by rehydrating the body thus known as the instant body booster and used by the athletes.

Prevents from Protein Loss

It is useful for the person suffering from the fever and maintains the protein loss in the body.

Treats Jaundice

Sugarcane Juice is very helpful for the person suffering from the jaundice and provides instant recovery from jaundice by maintaining the glucose level in the body.
Regulates Digestive System Functioning
It is a very good energy drink for the well being of the digestive system.

Treats Constipation

It also provides help in treating the constipation due to its high potassium level.  However diabetec should not use it for constipation. 

Promotes Wound Healing

It has a type of sugar called as the sucrose which is a natural resource helps in wound healing as well as boosting the immune system.

Strengthens Major Body Organs

It assists to a great level in strengthening the major organs such as the eyes, stomach, heart, kidneys, mind, sex organs and etc if used regularly.

Prevents from Heart Diseases
It also prevents from the heart diseases and strokes as it decreases the bad body cholesterol level and triglycerides.
Contains All Essential Nutrients
Sugarcane juice has all the required vitamins and minerals having precious health benefits for the person suffering various diseases.

Treats various Diseases
Sugarcane juice helps in treating the dysuria (burning sensation while passing urine), prostatitis, kidney stones, STD (sexually transmitted disease), urinary tract infections and etc if taken with lime juice or coconut water.
Sugar cane also assists in other problems like high acidity, cystitis, enlarged prostate, gonorrhea, nephritis and etc.

May Prevents  Cancer

Sugarcane juice is alkaline in nature thus helps in fighting from the various type of cancer like prostate and breast cancer.

Promotes Bone Growth

Sugarcane juice is helpful in the growth and development of the bones because of its calcium and phosphorous contents.

Prevents from Anemia

Sugar cane is very useful to the person suffering from the anemia as it has good amount of the iron which enhances the Hb level in the body.

Rich Source of Antioxidants

Sugarcane juice has an antioxidant property because of its flavonoid and phenolic compounds availability which works as an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-tumor agents and prevents body from various diseases accordingly.

Prevents from DNA Damage

Its antioxidants property protects us from the radiation induced DNA damage as well as from the oxidative degradation of the cellular lipids or fats. It also fights with the free radicals and prevents ageing.

Rich Source of Live Enzymes

Freshly prepared juice of the sugarcane has different live enzymes as well as nutrients which gets absorbed by the body and nourishes the body.

Treats Kidney Disorders

Sugar cane in moderate amount helps in treating kidney disorders and other urinary problems.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Liver/in Jaundice

Sugarcane juice is very beneficial for the major organ of the body called liver as it helps in treating the jaundice which is a liver function disorder. Jaundice causes yellow pigmentation of the skin and skin membranes because of the increased level of bile pigment called bilirubin. Bile pigment level increases due to poor liver functions or obstructed bile ducts. During jaundice, it has become very necessary to bring bilirubin level up to the normal as well as normalize the liver functioning which requires lots of medicine and home remedies.
To get fast recovery from the jaundice and liver functioning disorders, sugarcane juice acts as a best home remedy for such ailments. Some of the benefits are mentioned below:

Strengthens Liver

It acts as natural high energetic drink having refined sugar of low glycemic index which helps in strengthening the liver.

Treats Acidity

It is alkaline in nature which helps in maintaining the acid-base balance and treating acidity.
Maintains Protein in Body
It fulfills the requirement of protein which was lost during the jaundice fever.

Provides Fast Recovery

Sugar cane provides faster recover from the jaundice if taken a glass of sugarcane juice 2-3 times a day.
Boosts Immune System
Sugar cane juice has lots of antioxidants which makes body immune system stronger to fight against liver infections as well as normalizes the bilirubin level.

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Weight Loss

Reduces Weight
As sugarcane juice reduces the bad cholesterol level in the body and has natural sugar thus helps in reducing the weight.
Its high soluble fibers content aids a lot in the weight management strategy.
Removes Body Toxins
Sugarcane juice cleanses our body, improves the metabolism and detoxifies our body by eliminating all the toxins from the body bywhich aids a lot in the gradual weight loss process.
Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Diabetes

Maintains Sugar Level at least preferred to other sugars where sugar is needed by the diabetic
Has Low Glycemic Index
Sugarcane juice is very beneficial for the for diabetic patients as it has very low glycemic index.
Benefits of Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy
Increases Hb Level and Prevents Baby from Birth Defects
Because of its iron and folates contents it is very beneficial for the pregnant women. It enhances the Hb level in the pregnant women as well as prevents the unborn baby from variety of birth defects.
Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for Skin

Prevents from Ageing
Sugarcane juice has antioxidant property as it has flavonoids and phenolic compounds which makes the skin healthy, shiny, soft, supple, fair as well as prevents from early ageing and wrinkles.

Moisturizes the Skin

Disadvantages of Sugarcane Juice
As sugarcane juice has a lot of health benefits, it also has various health risks because of its unhygienic conditions it is prepared in. Sugarcane juice is considered as a best culture medium for the various microorganisms. That’s why it is recommended that drink only fresh juice or the one kept in the freeze. Never drink already made juice or the juice kept outside the freeze.
The person may be infected with the Chagas disease if he drinks sugarcane juice from the roadside stalls. Drinking sugarcane juice from such places may also be contaminated with the feces of insect vector which may lead to serious health hazards.

Mostly the engines used to crush the sugarcane are used and a lot of oil  get moved easily along with it. These oils have harmful effects on the health.
How much Sugarcane Juice should you Drink a Day
Having sugarcane juice on daily basis depends on the individual need and health of the body. A person suffering from jaundice can take more than one glass a day of sugarcane juice (according to the doctor advice) but in limit as it may cause some infections. However one to two cups of sugarcane juice is enough for a normal and healthy person in a week.

Source:
http://www.womenplanet.in/health-fitness/benefits-of-sugarcane-juice-nutritional-value-and-disadvantages