Cane sugar has a range of health, nutritional and energy benefits.
Cane sugar is derived from a grass-like plant belonging to the Poaceae family. The plants are 2 to 6 m in height and grow in warm, temperate and tropical climates. Cane sugar, in its unrefined form, has a range of health, nutritional and energy benefits.
History
Originating in New Guinea 10,000 years ago, sugar cane was widely grown in India before being brought to Europe by the Moors in the eighth century. Today, sugar cane is grown in more than 200 countries, including Brazil, the world's largest producer in 2005.
Refined and Cane Sugar
For decades, refined sugar, referred to as "white gold" in its heyday, took the spotlight away from cane sugar, which was seen as simplistic and a sign of poverty. However, more recent studies have shown that refined sugar can cause diabetes and colon cancer. Consequently, consumers are rediscovering the health benefits of cane sugar.
Health Benefits
Cane sugar juice has been found to be beneficial in preventing and treating sore throats, colds and flu. It also improves kidney function by clearing the urinary flow and is believed to be a good treatment for fevers, as it boosts the body's protein levels. Increasingly, studies suggest that its alkaline nature can make it a key product in the fight against cancer, particularly the prostate and breast varieties.
Nutritional Benefits
Cane sugar is rich in a variety of minerals and vitamins, including calcium, magnesium and riboflavin (vitamin B2). It also has a high potassium content, which makes it a natural laxative good for digestion. In addition, it is a good source of glucose, which the body can turn into glycogen for energy. And like refined sugar it can satisfy your sweet tooth but is preferable because it contains fewer calories.
Energy Benefits
Cane sugar is also a good source of energy because it is renewable; in contrast to coal and oil, it cannot be depleted. It is also relatively cheap to grow and is a useful resource in developing countries because it is resilient to natural hazards such as drought. According to Francis Johnson, sugarcane can also be used as a biomass energy resource and "is among the most ideal feed stocks in terms of efficiency and flexibility, providing gaseous, liquid and solid fuels."
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