Sugarcane : Health Benefits Of Eating Sugarcane And Drinking It’s Juice

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking freshly extracted raw fruit or vegetable juices, you know the health value of doing so. Freshly extracted juices contain live enzymes and nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body for quick nourishment.  But did you know that raw sugarcane juice is just as healthful as any other freshly pressed juice, and is in fact something of a Super Hero among plant foods?

As a member of the grass family, its juice has a high potency equivalent to wheatgrass juice, only with less chlorophyll and more sugar content.  However, counter to what you might think, sugarcane juice contains only about fifteen percent total sugar content, all of which is in a raw unrefined form.  The rest of the juice consists of water brimming with an abundance of vitamins and minerals. Sugarcane is rich in calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium and zinc.  It also contains iron and vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, plus a high concentration of phytonutrients (including chlorophyll), antioxidants, proteins, soluble fiber and numerous other health supportive compounds.  Working synergistically, these nutrients provide a supremely health-promoting food which has been studied for its role in fighting cancer, stabilizing blood sugar levels in diabetics, assisting in weight loss, reducing fevers, clearing the kidneys, preventing tooth decay, and a host of other health benefits.

When I was younger growing up on the island of Jamaica, I always love chewing on bits cut of sugar cane( after removing the skin and chopping it up into tiny pieces ) for its sweet juice before spitting its pulp out. It was like the healthy version of chewing gum. At that age, I didn’t know that it was healthier than sweets or chewing gum. I only knew it was sweet and fun to chew on.

Raw sugarcane is a favorite treat for children in tropical countries. Fresh sugarcane and refreshing sugarcane juice are sold at roadside stands in many countries as a healthy alternative to sweets. Although some refined sugar is made from sugarcane, raw natural sugarcane and products made from sugarcane have more nutritional health benefits than white sugar.

 Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating  Sugarcane  and drinking it’s juice:

• Sugarcane, being low on glycemic index, helps keep the body fit and healthy.
• Sugarcane juice has been found to be very beneficial for preventing as well as treating sore throat, cold and flu.
• Since sugarcane has no simple sugar, it can be enjoyed by diabetics without any fear. However, they intake should still be limited for people suffering from type-2 diabetes.
• Being alkaline in nature, sugarcane juice helps the body in fighting against cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer.
• Sugarcane provides glucose to the body, which is stored as glycogen and burned by the muscles, whenever they require energy. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the best sources of energy.
• If you have been exposed to heat and physical activity for too long, drink sugarcane juice. It will help hydrate the body quickly.
• Sugarcane is believed to strengthen stomach, kidneys, heart, eyes, brain, and sex organs.
• Sugarcane juice is an excellent substitute for aerated drinks and cola.
• Sugarcane clears the urinary flow and also helps the kidney to perform its functions smoothly.
• Sugarcane juice has been found to be good for those who are suffering from febrile disorders. Febrile disorders are responsible for causing fevers, which can result in a great amount of protein loss from the body. Liberal consumption of sugar cane juiceprovides the necessary protein and other food elements to the body.
• Sugarcane is beneficial for micturation, caused due to high acidity, along with genorrhoea, enlarged prostate, cyctitis and nepthritis. Mixing sugarcane juice withlime juice, ginger juice and coconut water will give better results.
• Sugarcane juice is said to speed up the recovery process after jaundice.
• As sugarcane consists of carbohydrates, in good quantities, it serves to refresh and energize the body. It supplies instant energy to working muscles and for this reason, it is also known to maximize performance in sports and endurance.
• Sugarcane is also good for digestion, as it can effectively work as a mild laxative because of its high potassium content.
• It lowers body cholesterol- both LDL and triglyceride

Raw sugar vs. Refined Sugar

The raw version of sugar is sugarcane juice which actually is good for the body because of its nutrients and mineral contains. On the other hand, refined sugar doesn’t have any mineral or nutrient contains. Refining of the sugar is similar to the bleaching process of wheat flour. Refines sugar are nothing more than pure carbohydrates and doesn’t have any other nutrient value an during the refinement procedure other unwanted chemicals such as phosphoric acid, formic acid and sulfur dioxide gets attached to the sugar crystals.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, not are they intended to diagnosis or treat disease.

Nutrition Info For: Chicken liver, battered, fried Calorie Count: 299.2

Nutrition Facts Amount Per Serving Calories 299.2 Calories from Fat 107.9 Fat 12.0 g 18 % Saturated Fat 3.3 g 17 % Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7 g   Monounsaturated Fat 4.0 g   Cholesterol 732.0 mg 244 % Sodium 495.7 mg 21 % Potassium 333.2 mg 10 % Carbohydrate 15.1 g 5 % Dietary Fiber 0.33 g 1 % Protein 30.7 g 61 % Alcohol 0.0 g   Vitamin A 499 % Calcium 3 % Vitamin D 1 % Thiamin 15 % Niacin 63 % Vitamin B6 37 % Phosphorus 42 % Selenium 155 % Vitamin C 73 % Iron 77 % Vitamin E 7 % Riboflavin 172 % Vitamin B12 497 % Manganese 0 % Copper 33 % Magnesium 8 % Zinc 34 % Calorie Breakdown Grams Calories %-Cals Calories 299 Fat 12.0 108 37 % Saturated 3.3 30 10 % Polyunsaturated 2.7 25 8 % Monounsaturated 4.0 36 12 % Carbohydrate 15.1 59 20 % Dietary Fiber 0.3 Protein 30.7 123 42 % Alcohol 0.0 0 0 % Fat   ( 37 %) Carbs   ( 20 %) Protein   ( 42 %) Alcohol   ( 0 %) Fat Breakdown Grams Calories Saturated Fat 29.8 3.3 Polyunsaturated Fat 24.6 2.7 Monounsaturated Fat 36.2 4.0 Saturated Fat   ( 3.3  g) Polyunsaturated Fat   ( 2.7  g) Monounsaturated Fat   ( 4.0  g)

Five Reasons to Eat Watermelon

Big, sloppy slices of watermelon served at a picnic table are the quintessential summer snack—sweet enough to be dessert but, as several recent studies remind us, good for our health as well. (And only 84 calories per wedge!)

1. It soothes sore muscles.

According to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout helped reduce athletes' heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. That's because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts to L-arginine, an essential amino acid that helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation.

The study's seven participants, all men, were given 17 ounces (500 mL) of either natural watermelon juice, watermelon juice enriched with additional citrulline, or a placebo drink an hour before their workouts. Interestingly, the natural juice was just as effective as the enriched juice. The researchers also determined that intestinal cells can absorb more citrulline from watermelon juice than from citrulline supplements, especially when the juice is unpasteurized.

2. It helps heart health.

Postmenopausal women experienced improved cardiovascular health after six weeks of taking commercially available watermelon extract supplements containing citrulline and arginine, according to a study published earlier this year by Florida State University physiologist Arturo Figueroa.

And in a 2012 study—also led by Figueroa—such supplements helped alleviate high blood pressure in obese, middle-aged adults. (Not surprisingly, he's received two grants from the Watermelon Promotion Board.)

3. It could be a natural Viagra.

Improved circulation can benefit more than just the heart, as at least one watermelon researcher has pointed out. But you'd probably have to eat an awful lot to achieve the desired effect--and eating too much could cause unfortunate side effects, since watermelon has long had a reputation as a natural diuretic.

4. It's rich in vitamins and minerals, but low in calories.

Given its name, you might assume the fruit has little nutritional value—and it is more than 90 percent water. But a 10-ounce (300-mL) wedge of watermelon packs in about one-third of the recommended daily value of vitamins A and C, as well as a modest amount of potassium (9 percent of the daily value).



5. It could even combat cancer.

Watermelon is among the best dietary sources of lycopene, an antioxidant linked to both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, although scientists are still investigating the details of that connection.

Cucumber nutrition facts

FEELING HOT IN SUMMERS?

Ever wonder how to beat the scorching summer heat? Just remember your humble crunchy cucumber ! Nonetheless, this wonderful low calorie vegetable indeed has more nutrients to offer than just water and electrolytes.

It is one of the oldest cultivated crops and believed to be originating in the northern plains of Indian subcontinent. The plant is a creeper (vine) like other members of Cucurbita family, for example, gourds,squashes, melons, zucchini, etc. 

Botanically; it belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family; and is known scientifically as Cucumis sativus.

Cucumber is easy to grow. Varieties, varying in size, shape, and color, are cultivated all around the world. In general, the fruit features dark-green skin, crispy moisture rich flesh, and small edible seeds concentrated at its core. 

As in other squash members, cucumbers too are best-harvested young, tender and just short of reaching maturity, at the stage when they taste sweet, have crunchy texture, and unique flavor. If left uninterrupted, the fruit continues to grow in size, its skin becomes tougher and turns yellow, and seeds become hard and inedible. Fresh cucumbers are available throughout the season and can be eaten raw as is or in vegetable salads or juicing.

Cucumis melo var. flexuosus-Armenian type.	Dosakayi-Indian curry cucumber. Salad (slicing) cucumber by side for comparison.

Armenian cucumbers (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) are long, crispy, and thin-ribbed, curved, and have light green color. Although grouped botanically in the melon family, they appear and taste just like cucumbers.

Miniature varieties such as gherkins, American-dills, and French-cornichons are very small indeed and usually preferred in pickling.

Dosakayi is a yellow Indian curry cucumber, has sweet taste and neutral flavor. It is used extensively in the preparation of stews and curries, particularly during the summer season in southern parts of India and Sri Lanka.

Health benefits of Cucumber

• It is one of the very low calorie vegetables; provide just 15 calories per 100 g. It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol. Cucumber peel is a good source of dietary fiber that helps reduce constipation, and offer some protection against colon cancers by eliminating toxic compounds from the gut.
• It is a very good source of potassium, an important intracellular electrolyte. 100 g of cucumber provides 147 mg of potassium but only 2 mg of sodium. Potassium is a heart friendly electrolyte helps bring a reduction in total blood pressure and heart rates by countering effects of sodium.
• Cucumbers contains unique anti-oxidants in moderate ratios such as β-carotene and α-carotene, vitamin-C, vitamin-A, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes. Their total antioxidant strength, measured in terms of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC value), is 214 µmol TE/100 g.
• Cucumbers have mild diuretic property, which perhaps attributed to their free-water, and potassium and low sodium content. This helps in checking weight gain and high blood pressure.
• They surprisingly have a high amount of vitamin K, provides about 17 µg of this vitamin per 100 g. Vitamin-K has been found to have a potential role in bone strength by promoting osteotrophic (bone mass building) activity. It also has established role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.
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Apple Cider Vinegar

Over the centuries, vinegar has been used for many purposes: making pickles, killingweeds, cleaning coffee makers, polishing armor, and dressing salads. It's also anancient folk remedy, touted to relieve just about any ailment you can think of.

In recent years, apple cider vinegar has been singled out as an especially helpfulhealth tonic. So it's now sold in both the condiment and the health supplement aislesof your grocery store. While many of the folk medicine uses of vinegar are unproven(or were disproved), a few do have medical research backing them up. Some smallstudies have hinted that apple cider vinegar could help with several conditions,including diabetes obesity.

So does consuming apple cider vinegar make sense for your health? Or is vinegarbest used for cleaning stains and dyeing Easter eggs? Here's a rundown of the facts.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Vinegar is a product of fermentation. This is a process in which sugars in a food arebroken down by bacteria and yeast. In the first stage of fermentation, the sugars areturned into alcohol. Then, if the alcohol ferments further, you get vinegar. The wordcomes from the French, meaning "sour wine." While vinegar can be made from allsorts of things -- like many fruits, vegetables, and grains -- apple cider vinegar comesfrom pulverized apples.

The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar, or any vinegar, is acetic acid. However,vinegars also have other acids, vitamins, mineral salts, and amino acids.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Cure for Everything?

While long used as a folk remedy, apple cider vinegar became well known in the U.S.in the late 1950s, when it was promoted in the best-selling book Folk  by D. C. Jarvis. alternativemedicine boom of recent years, apple cider vinegar and apple cider vinegar pills havebecome a popular dietary supplement.