Cane sugar: health benefits and harms

Natural cane sugar is a dietary source of carbohydrates. This product began to be produced in India, from where it subsequently spread throughout the world. In Russia, the reed product has not been studied for a long time. Currently, it is becoming popular among lovers of good nutrition. It is believed that it is much healthier than regular sugar and does less harm to the body.

Types of Cane Sugar

Before choosing such a product, you should study the production technology and know the difference between the types of reed sweetener.

According to the principle of production, there are the following types:

1. Refined or white sugar, which is made as a result of refining, that is, by converting it into syrup. The product is then filtered, evaporated and dried.
2. Unrefined or brown product. It is practically not cleaned. This option is most often used as food.

Varieties of brown sugar:

1. Muscovado - has a pronounced caramel smell, a honey tint and is characterized by slightly moist and sticky crystals of small sizes. This species grows mainly in South America.
2. Demerara - different solid and sticky crystals of golden color. It also grows in the South American regions near the Demerara River, from where it takes its name.
3. Softmolasses - contains a lot of molasses and has a very dark color, pronounced smell and taste of reed.
4. Turbinado - This type of sugar is processed using a centrifuge with water. Also in this case, steam is used in order to remove various impurities. Presented as dry large crystals. Deliveries are made from Hawaii.
5. Gur is a special kind of sugar that is obtained in India. It is a condensed juice of sugarcane, it is obtained by slow extrusion, which allows you to save all the useful qualities. The hue and structure resembles a soft sorbet.

What is the difference between cane sugar and regular sugar?

In contrast to the beetroot analogue, 20 times more minerals such as potassium, 10 times more iron and 85 times more calcium were found in cane sugar. In addition, the product from reed contains magnesium, in beetroot it is not at all. Also in this type of sugar there are representatives of vitamin B. They help to improve metabolism and are responsible for the healthy activity of the body as a whole.

The difference is felt in organoleptic signs. So, the reed fellow is characterized by the presence of caramel color and taste. Dishes from such a product are refined, with a delicate taste and the smell of caramel. This property is especially appreciated in the manufacture of drinks and sauces.

The specific color of such a sugar component is explained by the fact that molasses (black molasses) is included in its composition. It is a source of nutrients and protein. Thus, the darker the sugar, the more molasses in it and the more useful the product.

As for the energy value of these varieties of sweetener, it is almost the same.

Which sugar is better

Despite the same calorie content, there is still a difference. So, in the reed product contains more vitamins and mineral compounds that are beneficial for the body.In addition, it refers to slow carbohydrates, so gaining weight because of it or getting an excess of glucose in the body will not work.

As for refined products, all of them are equally harmful. But if you take unrefined sugars, cane in this case will be much more useful. As mentioned above, the content of useful substances in it is much higher compared to the beetroot product.

Which sugar is sweeter: cane or beetroot

It is believed that sugar made from cane raw materials is more sweet. But according to GOST, all types of sweeteners that are produced in industry, almost entirely consist of sucrose. The level of sweetness also depends on it.

Sugarcane crystals are larger. For this reason, it seems sweeter if you take it in your mouth. If you dissolve both options in a hot drink, their degree of sweetness will be approximately the same.

Composition and calorie content

A cane sweetener is an excellent product that does not harm the waist. It contains a large number of micro and macro elements, as well as vitamin substances with valuable qualities. By the amount of Ca, Mg, Fe, P, Zn, such granulated sugar surpasses all its analogues. Therefore, it is impossible to overestimate its benefits to humans. In Western countries, such sugar is used by vegetarians to provide the body with iron and magnesium.

In sugar from cane juice there are vitamins-representatives of group B.

Calorie content of the product is from 370 to 400 kcal per 100 g.

Why cane sugar is good?

General benefit

For most consumers, such sugar is almost no different from usual. Is that the difference is in the color of the product. But this opinion is erroneous. Sugar produced from cane squeeze is characterized by many positive properties.

Due to the unique manufacturing technology, brown sugar preserves more valuable vitamins and minerals than beetroot counterpart. It is because of this that it is considered beneficial for the body. So, it contains a high concentration of iron, which is especially important with a low level of hemoglobin in the blood, as well as iron deficiency anemia.

The product is recommended for use by people who have refused food of animal origin, as well as those who follow a strict diet. This is due to the large amount of iron and B-group vitamins. They help strengthen immunity, slow down the process of natural aging.

Such sugar will help improve the central nervous system and eliminate the effects of stress, improve mood and relieve insomnia. Natural glucose in the composition of such a sweetener improves mental activity, concentration and memory.

Phosphorus and calcium as part of the product are beneficial for the teeth and skeletal system. They strengthen them and reduce the likelihood of developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

In addition, cane granulated sugar helps to normalize the activity of the liver and spleen.

Also found in brown sugar are potassium and magnesium, which in the complex ensure the functioning of the cardiovascular system, acting as a prophylactic.

For women

Cane sugar eliminates sleep problems, relieves headaches and fatigue. He is also able to regulate blood pressure, as a result of which the symptoms of nausea, dizziness, flushing pass, normal pulse is restored.

Fiber in the composition of the product helps to cleanse the body of toxins and toxic substances. In addition, brown sugar regulates the metabolism, as a result of which the digestive tract is working. This is due to the fact that fiber and dietary fiber facilitate the digestion of food and ensure its rapid excretion from the body. Also, sugar from cane juice is able to quickly and permanently satisfy the hunger. With its regular use in optimal quantities, you can get rid of extra centimeters at the waist.

Such a component can be used not only as a food product, but also as a cosmetic product. As you know, sugar is an integral part of the paste, which is used for shugaring.

For men

Sweet cane product is a source of energy. Due to this property, sugar gives a person strength, endurance, increasing working capacity. It also has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system, improves the emotional state and gives vigor.

It has a beneficial effect on CVS (cardiovascular system). Due to potassium, blood vessels and heart muscles are strengthened, and the rhythm is normalized. Cane sugar is useful for people whose work is related to mental stress. It is included in the food of athletes and the military.

During pregnancy

During the period of gestation, sugar from cane squeeze can be included in the diet of a pregnant woman, replacing them with a beetroot analog. Compared to other sweeteners, such sugar will provide the woman’s body with useful substances, normalize the activity of the liver, brain, and circulatory system. The calorific value of such a product is quite high, so you must follow the norm. The harm from frequent use of the future mother will be minimal for the body, but as a result of uncontrolled use, the body weight of both the woman and the fetus can increase.

When breastfeeding

During lactation, cane sugar will benefit a woman more than her beetroot counterpart. However, in this case, it is also important to comply with the measure. For a nursing woman, such a product will be useful, since it is quite easily absorbed by the body. It will help a woman recover faster after the baby is born, and will also replenish the body with the substances necessary for normal functioning.

In addition, sugar from cane juice will improve the taste of milk, which is very important for the child.

For kids

The rich calcium composition helps strengthen the skeletal system, preventing their fragility. This feature of the product allows you to reduce the risk of fractures, as well as recover faster after an injury. Therefore, experts advise children to replace beet sugar with cane sugar.

The content of ascorbic acid helps to strengthen the immune system, which helps protect the body from colds, infections and inflammatory processes.

When losing weight

Cane sugar is a coarse carbohydrate that contains fiber. Due to this, it is more slowly absorbed in the digestive tract. Thus, its processing requires more calories, as a result of which it is deposited less on the sides. It is thanks to these properties that the cane product is popular among losing weight, since it is much harder to refuse sugary drinks than to replace sugar with a less dangerous one for the figure.

You can use such sugar as a dietary product in the diet of each person. This will make it possible to diversify the table, enrich the body with minerals and other substances necessary for the heart and nervous system. But if you do not limit its amount, there will be no effect, since its calorie content is rather large.

Can cane sugar in diabetes

With a mild course of diabetes, the patient is allowed to eat a little sweet, which is prescribed by the doctor. Both types of illness are reasons for not using sugar, regardless of type. This is due to the fact that the glycemic index of the reed product is quite high. It is equal to 55 units. Therefore, such a sweetener is able to increase blood glucose. Instead, you can use sweeteners.

Application in cosmetology

Brown sugar is an ingredient for scrub. Such a product has a delicate effect on the skin. In addition, scrubs with the addition of such a component restore the fat metabolism of the dermis, moisturize it, eliminate peeling, cellulite and wrinkles. Also, such mixtures can be used for massage, skin treatment before shaving, to prevent hair ingrowth.

Thus, you can prepare a facial scrub. It is suitable for any type of skin, but the first time you make sure that the mixture does not cause an allergic reaction. It will take 1 cup of sugar from cane, 50 ml of olive squeezed, 2 tbsp. honey, 2 tsp rosemary, 15 drops of lemon oil and the same amount of lavender oil.

First you need to mix the sugar component with dry rosemary, and then add honey with oil and essential components. Before use, remove makeup, wipe the face with tonic and apply the mask in a circular motion. Massaging the skin is recommended for several minutes. Hold the mask for 5-7 minutes, then rinse.

Curd mask nourishes and moisturizes the skin. To prepare it, you need 2 tbsp. cottage cheese, 1 tbsp. unrefined cane sugar and 1 tablespoon honey. Mix all the ingredients, for a better result, you can use a blender. Apply the prepared mixture to the face and rinse off after 20 minutes.

You can make a body scrub with this type of sugar and coconut oil. For its preparation you need 4 tbsp. reed product, 4 tbsp. fine sea salt, 1 tbsp. coconut oil, honey and lemon juice. First, mix coconut oil with honey and heat them to 40 degrees. In a separate bowl, combine the salt with sugar, and then add a mixture of honey and butter to them. The resulting product should be used after a shower, applied in a circular motion, and then washed off.

Cane sugar can be used for hair care. The easiest way to use it is cleansing the scalp. The effectiveness of such a product is determined by the crystalline structure of the substance, which contributes to gentle cleansing and renewal of the epidermis. To prepare a head scrub, it is enough to mix two parts of sugar with one part of the shampoo used. In this case, natural detergents should be used so that the chemical components do not penetrate the dermis. Before applying, moisten hair with water and only after that massage head with obtained sugar product. Keep the mixture on your hair for several minutes, then rinse it off. The procedure should be repeated once with normal hair type, but if the scalp is oily - twice.

It is no secret that sugar syrup is quite sticky, but after cooling it completely freezes. This property of the product can be used to obtain hair spray. To do this, just dissolve 1 tbsp. reed product in 1 liter of water. It is recommended to pour such a mixture into a container with a spray for convenient use.

To prepare a mask that stimulates the growth of curls, you need to mix 1 tbsp. mustard in the form of powder, olive oil and granulated sugar from cane. Mix all these substances, and then add the yolk of one egg. Rub the resulting product into the roots. Wash off after 20 minutes. It should be remembered that mustard will bake, but do not be afraid, as oil and egg yolk will protect the scalp.

If you mix egg white with a cane product, you get a great nourishing mask that not only strengthens the curls, but also provides them with a healthy glow. For its preparation, it is necessary to beat the mass until sugar is dissolved, and the protein becomes lush.

Harm and contraindications

Everyone knows that excessive sugar intake is harmful to human health. This can lead to the appearance of excess weight, which, in turn, will increase the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases, as well as diabetes.

Older people should regulate the amount of such sugar in food, as it can increase cholesterol and glucose levels.

Excess of this product can cause allergies, especially in young children.Refined cane juice should not be used for pancreatic diseases. This body is responsible for the absorption of glucose, and sugar irritates this gland, as a result of which its work may be disturbed.

Exclude this type of product is necessary for diabetes.

In addition, the abuse of such refined products increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

How to choose and store cane sugar

Unscrupulous manufacturers often, under the guise of cane sugar, provide consumers with a plain white caramel colored sugar product.

To choose quality products, you should focus on the appearance. Crystals should be of different shapes, sticky and slightly moist. Information about the country of origin will also help determine the true sugar. Since such a product comes from the USA, South America and Mauritius, it is not manufactured in our regions.

After buying sugar, it is recommended to pour it immediately into an airtight container. It can be stored in a dry room with room temperature. It should not be placed near odorous products, as it can absorb foreign odors.

Shelf life is eight years. To exclude rapid crystallization upon contact with air, it is necessary to put a piece of bread or a tangerine crust on the bottom of the sugar bowl.

How to distinguish from a fake

There are several options for determining the authenticity of a reed processing product. So, in order to recognize high-quality products, you should drip a little iodine into a liquid in which a small amount of the analyzed sugar is dissolved. If as a result of this the syrup turns blue - it means that the sugar is natural.

It is enough to simply dissolve such granulated sugar in water. If the liquid turns brown, this indicates that the product is a fake.

Can I make cane sugar jam

When cane sugar is added instead of the usual product, the dessert acquires a caramel flavor. You can mix it with a beetroot analogue to save. Some use this type of granulated sugar for jam and other preparations and claim that the rolls are incredibly tasty.

Some people believe that this kind of sweetener should not be used, otherwise the product will be spoiled. This is probably due to the fact that they often try to fake cane sugar, as a result, a product is obtained that does not meet its requirements. Therefore, if there is confidence that the sugar is natural, it can be used for making jam.

How much cane sugar can be eaten per day

A complete rejection of sweets leads to circulatory disorders, which entails a malfunction of all organs and systems of the body. Therefore, sugar must be present in the human diet. But in this case, it is important to know the acceptable rate.

If we talk about the cane variety of sugar, then the daily norm is 45 g of such a sweetener. Compliance with such a dosage will not harm the figure and health in general.

Interesting facts about sugar

1. For the first time in the world, sugar has been learned in today's India.
2. In industry, sugar is made from beets or cane. In fact, it is possible to produce such a product from other cultures, but these two plants are the most cost-effective.
3. As a result of the use of sugar, the hormone dopamine is produced. This suggests that most people develop real addiction.
4. The stalks of cane, which is the raw material for granulated sugar, can reach a height of 9 meters.
5. Scientists have found that the tendency to excessive consumption of sweets can be a hereditary predisposition.
6. Over the past two decades, the use of sugar by people has increased to 40 kg per year, since it is a component of most foods that are used in food.
7. Uncontrolled sugar consumption leads to an increase in insulin, which increases the risk of developing cancer.
8. Sugar is an ingredient in even the most unexpected foods. So, for example, in bread and ketchup, as in various other sauces, contains a lot of sugar.
9. When conducting experiments on rats, it was proved that the use of sugar in large quantities negatively affects the activity of the brain, namely, memory worsens and premature aging of the brain occurs. By the way, salt in large volumes is considered poison at all.
10. The first beet sugar plant was built at the very beginning of the 19th century in what is now Poland. Money for its construction was allocated by the king.
11. The highest sugar consumption per person is recorded in Brazil.
12. In the Czech Republic there is a monument to refined sugar. Such sugar cubes appeared in this country in the middle of the 19th century.
13. Currently, almost 60 percent of all sugar is made from cane juice, the remaining 40 percent from beets.
14. Interestingly, sugar is used to make plastics and leather. In addition, it is widely used in the pharmaceutical field and in the production of tobacco products.
15. Of fruits and vegetables, sugar is most concentrated in dates. So, in 100 g of such a treat contains almost 34 g of such a sweetener.
16. Until the end of the 18th century, sugar was considered a luxury; not everyone could afford it. Therefore, in those days, this product was called "white gold".
17. The sugar substitute “Lugdunam” obtained chemically is almost three hundred times sweeter than usual. To make tea from such a product sweet, just one small crystal is enough, while it would take about 10 grams of sugar familiar to everyone. For comparison, using 1 kg of such a substance, you can make the pool of the Olympic reserve sugary and sweet. The remaining sweeteners were randomly obtained while trying to create a medicine for the treatment of ulcers.
18. In the Middle Ages, granulated sugar acted as a medicine, so it could be purchased at a pharmacy.
19. In some countries, there is fuel for refueling cars made from sugar beets. Such fuel is presented in the form of flammable alcohol, which does not harm the environment.

Photo of cane sugar