Sugarcane, belonging to the family Poaceae, is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. Sugarcanes are mostly developed on a commercial scale, but you can also grow it in your garden. However, you should keep in mind that they require a considerable amount of water for cultivation.
The stems of sugarcane are 10 to 24 feet tall and carry long leaves that look like swords. Sugarcanes can be cultivated in different types of soil, but the ideal one is the combination of sand, clay particles, and silt. It is substantially grown for the production of sugar. Brazil and India are the highest producers of sugarcane. Furthermore, it has significant nutritional benefits as it contains a lot of minerals and other compounds.
History of Sugarcane
The history of sugar and the world economy would look very different without the presence of sugarcane. This beautiful plant has undergone many changes in our modern history and forms the basis of contemporary food. It was traditional in the warmer parts of Asia. Sugar has initially been stored around 8,000 BC in New Guinea. From there, the knowledge of this plant gradually moved eastward through Southeast Asia until it reached India, where the first production of sugar began in the middle of the 1st century CE.
Originally sugar was extracted from sugarcanes by chewing and extracting fluids. But in the 5th century AD, an Indian chemist found a way to obtain the resulting sucrose, making sugar much more comfortable to transport.
The Arab nations adopted sugar, and they distributed it to the Mediterranean. From there, the sugar reached Spain in about 715 AD but did not get famousuntil the crusades when most Europeans became acquainted with the sugar imported in the Middle East. With its amazing ability to make and maintain sucrose in vast quantities, sugarcane goes from the unknown species of real Asian grass to the world’s largest cultivated plant. As a result, sugarcaneswere first introduced to the United States. Because raising and processing sugar was not easy, and the demand for sugar was much high, Africa became a popular spot for processing sugar due to the slavery there.
Health Benefits of Sugarcane
Sugarcane is more than just a sweet fruit. It has a lot of health benefits due to the presence of minerals and electrolytes that give your body energy and glucose. Sugarcane juice provides your body with the required glucose and the strength to carry on with your work. It is refreshing and rejuvenating as it contains 15% natural sugar.
In flaming summers, cane juice mixed with lime juice and ginger is considered to the best sweet and cooling drink. It is rich in antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and protein, which make cane juice a natural remedy for several serious problems. Now let’s discuss the essential health benefits of sugarcane and its juice.
- Improves functioning of the Kidney
Sugarcane juice treats and prevents urinary tract infections due to its diuretic properties. A diuretic is a substance that results in excessive urination, expelling out toxins from the body. Cane juice also maintains the healthy functioning of the kidney as it boosts the protein content.
- Helps in Conception and Safe Pregnancy
Sugarcane juice contains folic acid and vitamin B8, which makes it a great addition to the diet of pregnant women or those who are trying to conceive. Cane juice increases the chance of conception as it reduces problems related to ovulation. In pregnant women, cane juice prevents the fetus from congenital neural disabilities.
- Rehydrates Your Body and Provides Instant Energy Boost
Sugarcane contains a high level of sucrose. Therefore, by drinking cane juice, your body gets an instant energy boost. It balances the glucose level of your body. Moreover, cane juice helps your body to rehydrate and kick off fatigue.
- Prevent Bones and Teeth Related Problems
Sugarcane sticks or juice contains a considerable amount of calcium that improves your bones and teeth health. The presence of calcium makes sugarcane the best ingredient to add to your child’s diet to prevent teeth and bones related problems.
- Aids Weight Loss
If you are thinking about losing some extra pounds, add sugarcane in your diet. Cane juice is beneficial in losing weight as it contains soluble fibers, which maintain the weight and reduces cholesterol.
- Strengthens Liver
Cane juice is a blessing to enhance and improve your liver functioning. It is considered the best remedy for Jaundice. Jaundice is a condition in which the skin, mucous membranes, and white area of your eyes turn yellow. This condition results when the bilirubin level gets high. The antioxidants present in the juice of sugarcane improves the functioning of the liver and keeps the bilirubin level under control. Cane juice also recharges your body with the lost proteins and minerals.
- Fights Cancer
This might be surprising, but sugarcane helps the body to fight against lethal diseases like cancer – especially breast and prostate cancer. Due to the presence of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron, cane juice is considered an alkaline food. And disease like cancer can’t survive in alkaline condition. Furthermore, sugarcane contains flavonoids that hinder the multiplication of cancerous cells in the mammary gland, hence reduces the risk of breast cancer.
- Aids Digestion
Cane juice is very good for your digestive system. Due to the high potassium content, cane juice improves digestion, prevents infections, and helps in treating constipation.
- Beneficial for Diabetic Patients
Sugarcane juice is helpful for diabetic patients as well because it has a low glycemic index, which helps in keeping the blood sugar level under control. However, a diabetic patient should take cane juice in moderation.
- Tooth Decay and Bad Breath
If you have a bad breath issue and you are embarrassed, then cane juice is one of the best solutions. Malnutrition can be one of the causes of bad breath, and since cane juice is rich in minerals, it can fulfill the minerals deficiency. Sugarcane juice also contains phosphorus and calcium, which are essential for teeth enamel and prevent tooth decay.
- Wounds Healer
Sugarcane contains a high amount of sucrose, which offers wound healing properties and is known for speeding up the healing process. Just apply the cane juice on your wounds and wait to see the miraculous property of sugarcane.
Beauty Benefits of Sugarcane Juice
Sugarcane regenerates your skin within no time. The high mineral level makes sugarcane best for your skin. It treats many skin related problems as well as give your skin a youthful glow.
Acne Treatment
If you are suffering from acne and other skin-related issues, you need to add sugarcane juice to your life. You can make a cane juice mask for acne as well. To make this mask, mix Fullers Earth into cane juice and apply this paste on your face and neck. Leave the mask for 20 to 25 minutes and then clean your face and neck with a wet towel. Be consistent, and you will see the results after a few applications. Cane juice cleanses up the blocked pores and exfoliates the skin.
Anti-aging
Sugarcane juice contains antioxidants and phenolic compounds that make your skin soft and glowing. Moreover, it also slows down the aging process of your skin and keeps it wrinkle-free.
Skin-lightening
Sugarcane contains antioxidants which help in lightening the skin. You can make a paste by mixing saffron and mashed papaya into cane juice. But before adding saffron strand into the mixture, soak it into the milk and leave overnight. Apply this smooth paste on your skin for 20 to 25 minutes and then wash your face with lukewarm water. For better and quicker results, apply this mixture at least once a week.
Treats Blemishes
Have you tried all the skincare products but still unsuccessful in getting rid of those blemishes? Then we have a solution for this problem. All you need to do is take cane juice and apply it with cotton on the affected areas. Leave it on for 20 to 25 minutes and then clean your face with a towel. You need to apply the juice to the affected areas daily to see the results.
Hydrates the Skin
If your skin feels dehydrated and dull, you need only one ingredient to get back all the lost freshness and glow. And that ingredient is sugarcane. Apply the cane juice with the help of cotton balls all over your face and leave it overnight. Then wash your face in the morning. The skincare properties present in the cane juice will hydrate your skin, leaving it moisturized and soft.
Hair Growth
Are you suffering from hair-related issues? If yes, then sugarcane can help. Sugarcane juice promotes hair growth and prevents problems related to it. You have to drink a glass of cane juice every day without skipping, and you will not have hair-related issues anymore. This is because cane juice contains vitamin B12, vitamin A as well as vitamin C along with minerals like zinc, manganese, calcium, potassium, etc.
All these nutrients can help rejuvenate the hair follicles by providing them with proper nourishment, hence promoting healthy hair growth.
Final Words
High nutritional value and numerous benefits make sugarcane accessible and popular all around the world. Sugarcane not only improves digestion and immunity but also prevents and fights many severe conditions and diseases. The fresh and cooling effect of cane juice makes it the best summer drink. However, since sugarcane has high sugar content, always take it in moderation as the overdose of anything can prove lethal.