Description
Sugarcane is the most
important member of the plant kingdom with a metabolism leading to the
accumulation of sucrose. It is transported as glucose and fructose within the growing
plant. The crop provides the cheapest of energy-giving food.
The sugarcane belongs to the grass family. It is a perennial plant
which grows from 2.5 to 4.25 meters. With sufficient care, it grows up to 7.5 meters.
The diameter of stems varies from 2.5 to 8 cm. It has several joints after
every few centimeters.
Origin
and Distribution
The names sugar and sugarcane have been derived from the Sanskrit
word, Sharkara. Sugarcane is
indigenous to India. It was cultivated here from the Vedic period and it is
mentioned in some places in the ancient scriptures. Alexander the Great and his
soldiers carried sugarcane from India to the west by about 325 BC. Sugarcane is
now grown all over the world. India stands first in sugarcane cultivation,
followed by Brazil, Cuba, China, Mexico, Pakistan, the U.S.A., South Africa and
Columbia.
Food
Value
The juice ii extracted from the cane by pressing it through iron
rollers. It is nutritious arid refreshing. It contains about 15 per cent
natural sugar and is rich in organic salts and vitamins.
Originally, sugarcane was grown solely for chewing in the Pacific
and South Eastern Asia, a custom which has now spread throughout most of the
tropics. The juice can also be used for drinking or sweetening. In hot summer
days, it forms a soothing drink. A little lime juice may be mixed in the juice
to improve its flavor.
Sugarcane*
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Food Value
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Minerals and Vitamins
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Moisture
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90.2%
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Calcium
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10 mg
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Protein
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0.1%
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Phosphorus
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10 mg
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Fat
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0.2%
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Iron
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1.1 mg
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Minerals
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0.4%
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Carbohydrates
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9.1%
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100%
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*Value
per 100 gms edible portion
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Calorific
Value - 39
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Natural
Benefits and Curative Properties
Sugarcane juice has many medicinal properties. It strengthens
the stomach, kidneys, heart, eyes, brain and sex organs.
Fevers
The juice is beneficial in fevers. In febrile disorders
which causes fever, when there is great protein loss, liberal intake of
sugarcane juice supplies the body with necessary protein and other food
elements.
Genito-urinary
Disorders
Sugarcane is very useful in seamy urination. It keeps the urinary
flow dear and helps the kidneys to perform their functions properly. It is also
valuable in burning micturition due to high acidity, gonorrhea, enlarge,
prostate, cystitis and nepthritis. For better results, it should he mixed with
lime juice, ginger juice and coconut water.
Jaundice
Mixed with lime juice, it can hasten recovery from jaundice. It
is however, very essential that the juice, must be dean, preferably prepared at
home. Resistance is low in hepatitis and any infected beverage could make matters
worse.
Weak
Teeth
The juice sucked from the sugarcane can prove highly valuable
in case of weak teeth due to lack of proper exercise resulting from excessive
use of soft foods. It gives a form of exercise to the .teeth and makes them
strong. It also keeps the teeth clean and increases their life.
Thinness
Sugarcane juice is a fattening food. It is thus an effective
remedy for thinness. Rapid gain in weight can be achieved by its regular use.
Eye
Disorders
The dew which collects on the long leaves of sugarcane is useful
in several eye disorders. When instilled in the eyes, it is an effective
mediCine.in defective vision, cataract, conjunctivitis, burning of the eyes and
eye-strain after excessive reading.
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