Sugarcane has one of the sweetest juices to keep you refreshed, especially in a hot season. This grass plant is great for juices and has health benefits that can cater to your well-being.
Even raw sugarcane is used to produce the normal sugar that we ingest daily. It is even considered a traditional Indian medicine because of its healthy components. Sugarcane contains water, fibre, and a reasonable amount of sucrose.
The scientific name for sugarcane is Saccharum officinarum from the Poaceae family. The best place for this plant is in tropical and subtropical areas. Most sugarcane is usually cultivated in India and Brazil.
Sugarcane is easily considered the largest crop, with 1.8 billion tons in quantity. Although it is usually grown on a commercial scale, you can also decide to grow it in your little garden.
Read till the end to find out the health benefits that sugarcane offers you.
6 Interesting Facts About Sugarcane
- Sugarcane is a perennial grass that is tall and used for sugar production. It grows between 6-20 feet, and it has stout fibrous stalks with abundant sucrose.
- 79% of the sugar produced globally is obtained from sugar cane.
- This grass plant is ancient to the Austronesian and Papuan people. It was later introduced to Madagascar, Polynesia, and Island Melanesia through sailors from Austronesia. Traders from Austronesia also introduced the people of India and China to sugarcane.
- A sugarcane stalk has about 12-16% soluble sugars, 11-16% fibre, 2-3% nonsugar carbohydrates, and 63-73% water. This crop is sensitive to climate changes, fertilizers, and even diseases.
- Although sugarcane is a cash crop, it is also used for livestock fodder.
- Sugarcane has nutrients that can be nourishing. It contains protein, carbohydrates, fibres, Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamin C. Sugarcane also has minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron. You will also find antioxidants such as polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids in sugarcane.
Health Benefits of Sugarcane
Whenever you drink sugarcane juice or eat this grass plant raw, there are various benefits that it offers your body system. It tastes great and provides you with the essential nutrients your body needs.
1. It Boosts Your Energy
Sugarcane in its raw state is low in glycemia which plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy. Even when it is made into a juice, sugarcane still serves as a natural source of sucrose which provides energy. The body can regain sugar levels with sugarcane because the grass plant contains glucose.
This glycogen becomes relevant when the body needs energy, reducing fatigue and tiredness, especially when the weather is hot. Sugarcane provides carbohydrates that offer the body energy instantly and refreshment. In cases where you’re dealing with dryness, sugarcane provides the protein and minerals required to handle it.
2. Prevents Diseases
If you’re looking for a way to evade common illnesses such as flu, common cold, and sore throat, sugarcane is a great option that you can consume. It is great for people with dehydration issues because of its alkaline nature. Instead of settling for carbonated drinks, you can use sugarcane juice as a substitute without bothering about any side effects.
Sugarcane is a grass plant that effectively fights against different varieties of cancer, especially breast cancer and prostate cancer. Also, those with febrile disorders use sugarcane as a natural source of protein that can work against the various types of fever.
3. Improves Digestion
Sugarcane is a great way to improve digestive health because it also enhances the function of vital body organs such as the heart, eyes, kidneys, stomach, brain, and reproductive system. Sugarcane juice has potassium that helps stabilize the stomach’s pH levels and helps discharge digestive juices that help keep the body system on track. Consuming sugarcane also helps prevent stomach infections that can be harmful to health.
This grass plant helps cleanse the urinary flow and maintain the roles of nephrons. Even patients with jaundice can consume sugarcane because it hastens the healing process and improves liver function. Different antioxidants are contained in sugarcane that help fight against liver infections and replenish lost protein.
4. Sugarcane Can Cure Acne
When you use sugarcane juice topically, it can reduce the possibility of skin problems or even cure them completely. It has alpha-hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid that help to increase cell turnover. You can use this juice to exfoliate the skin, thus removing the acne buildup. One simple method is to mix it with fuller earth, so you can get a mask-like consistency that you can use for your face and neck. Let it remain on your face for about 20 minutes before washing it off using cool water.
5. Great For Diabetes
If diabetic patients can take sugarcane moderately, it will reduce the rapid spikes in glucose levels. Sugarcane has a low glycemic index that can increase sugar levels and also promote good health. However, people with diabetes have to be careful while consuming sugarcane because it has high sugar levels that can complicate health.
6. Helps Develop Teeth and Bones
Calcium is one of the prominent minerals in sugarcane that works best for growing children. It helps the dentition period go smoothly and offers strength to the human bones. Even adults can consume sugarcane to gain calcium, which will help them strengthen their bones and also helps in preventing ageing signs. Sugarcane consumption reduces the possibility of osteoporosis while giving you radiant skin.
Sugarcane is a highly beneficial grass plant that adults and children should consume to improve well-being. It helps improve your immunity and reduces the existence of cancerous cells in the body. However, you should inform your coaches about your medical condition to ensure that you take the sugarcane in the right proportions.
Final Thoughts
Sugarcane and its juice offer great satisfaction and enjoyment to those who consume it. This grass plant can help you accelerate the pace of healing and reduce pain associated with various diseases. Sugarcane helps provide the right nutrients even for pregnant women and makes the process smooth.
