Sugar crops

An important source for balanced nutrition

Sugarcane

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, the intake should still be limited for people suffering from type-2 diabetes. Being alkaline in nature, sugarcane juice helps the body in fighting cancer, especially prostate and breast cancers.

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 sugarcane juice provides the necessary protein and other food elements to the body. Sugarcane is beneficial for micturition, caused due to high acidity, along with gonorrhea, enlarged prostate, cystitis and nephrites. Mixing sugarcane juice with lime 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 energise the body. It supplies instant energy to working muscles and for this reason, it is also known to maximise 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.

Maple syrup

The nutrients found in maple syrup include energy, water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sugars. In terms of minerals, it contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus sodium, potassium, and zinc. Vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and B6 are also found in maple syrup. The various health benefits of maple syrup can be attributed to the presence of various vitamins and minerals that are present in it. Let’s explore some of these important health benefits below.

Antioxidants: Maple syrup has various antioxidant properties that are essential for healthy living. Antioxidants are important for the body as they neutralise free radicals, which may cause various health ailments. Mitochondria are one of the cells that are responsible for energy production, but during this process, free radicals are produced within the mitochondria. This function requires enzymes that are prone to damage or harm by other microorganisms in the body. It is the function of the manganese mineral present in the maple syrup to supply the superoxide dismutase which is an oxidative enzyme. This enzyme helps in disarming the dangerous free radicals that are produced by the mitochondria when performing its normal metabolic functions.

Male health: The consumption of maple syrup may also help in maintaining male reproductive health. There are certain minerals, such as zinc, that are found in maple syrup that are useful for a healthy reproductive system, particularly the prostate gland. Reduction in the levels of the minerals increases the risk of disorders, such as prostate cancer. This is why it is advisable for men to always try to consume foods that contain the right amount of this mineral. Maple syrup is one of such food that is easy to acquire, readily available, and enjoyable as well.

Immune system: Studies carried out over the years have confirmed the importance of the presence of zinc and manganese in the body. A lack of these minerals could easily lead to a reduction in the number of white blood cells, which affects the response of the immune system. Supplementing these minerals is the only way known to restore their levels to the proper state. Maple syrup is a good source of both zinc and magnesium, which play a key role in strengthening the immune system.

Health benefits of stevia:

Diabetic control: The most important or widely praised aspect of stevia for human health concerns its ability to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. Opposed to sucrose, which is what normal table sugar consists of, stevia sweetens food in a similar way as sugar, but it contains stevioside, which is a non-carbohydrate glycoside compound. As explained above, when stevioside breaks down, the glucose-containing particles are absorbed by the bacteria in the colon, rather than being absorbed by the bloodstream and affecting glucose levels in the body. This is an ideal replacement for normal sugar for diabetics or people on carbohydrate-controlled diets, because they can eat sweet foods without having to worry about diabetic complications.

Weight loss: Stevia is very low in calories and is anywhere from 40-300x sweeter than sugar, depending on the prevalence of certain extracts in the species variety. This means that people can eat foods like cakes, cookies, and candies made with stevia without worrying about gaining a great deal of calories from sugars, so they won’t hurt their chances of successfully losing weight.

Blood pressure: As mentioned, stevioside is a type of glycoside, but there are other glycosides in stevia that can actually relax the blood vessels, increase urination, and facilitate the elimination of sodium from the body. This means that less stress is put on the cardiovascular system and there can be a drop in blood pressure, which protects heart health and prevents certain conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Skin health: In a similar antibacterial function as it plays in the mouth, stevia has been found to be a useful topical application for skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. It inhibits the spread of bacteria and acts as a steroid in these situations, making it a popular option for many people who can’t get relief from these conditions.

Bone health: Although this hasn’t been extensively tested in humans, certain studies have shown that chickens that have been fed a stevia diet lay significantly thicker shells that contain a much higher content of calcium than average eggs. This has been extrapolated into humans, meaning that it could potentially help build stronger bones and decrease the chances of osteoporosis.

Cancer prevention: The wide range of antioxidant compounds found in stevia make it an ideal dietary supplement for cancer prevention.

Carrots

Beta-carotene has also been shown to protect against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. A study found that people who eat the most beta-carotene had 40 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than those who consumed little. Studies have shown carrots reduce the risk of lung cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Researchers have just discovered falcarinol and falcarindiol which they feel cause the anticancer properties. The high level of beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant to cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism. It help slows down the aging of cells. Vitamin A and antioxidants protect the skin from sun damage. Deficiencies of vitamin A cause dryness to the skin, hair and nails. Vitamin A prevents premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tone. Carrots are used as an inexpensive and very convenient facial mask. Studies show that diets high in carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of heart diseases. Carrots have not only beta-carotene but also alpha-carotene and lutein.

Dates

Dates are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are a rich source of protein, dietary fibre and rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B5 along with vitamin A1 and C. They help improve the digestive system as they contain soluble and insoluble fibres and different kinds of amino acids. Dates are great energy boosters as they contain natural sugars like glucose, sucrose and fructose. To get more advantage add dates to milk and make it a very nutritious snack. Dates are very low in calories and are extremely suitable for health conscious people. Dates are rich in potassium and low in sodium. This helps regulate a healthy nervous system.

Researchers have revealed the fact that potassium intake up to a certain extent can reduce risk of stroke. Dates also help in lowering of the LDL cholesterol. Dates have high iron content and are very useful in treating anaemia. The patients can eat many dates for better advantages. Dates also have fluorine that slows down the process of tooth decay. It helps people suffering from constipation. Soak dates overnight and take it along with water to have added advantage. Dates help in weight gain and are beneficial for those who suffer from over slimming problem. Dates are excellent for alcoholic intoxication. The best thing is that it does not have any side effect on the body and is completely natural as well as it works better than medicine. It also helps in improving eye sight and helps in curing night blindness as well.

Sorghum

Sorghum, an ancient cereal grain that’s a staple crop in India and throughout Africa, has long been considered a safe grain alternative for people with celiac disease and gluten insensitivity. New molecular evidence confirms that sorghum is completely gluten-free, and reports that the grain provides health benefits that make it a worthy addition to any diet. Gluten is the flexible protein in common grains like wheat, barley and rye that give them a chewy, springy quality when baked into breads or pastas.

Gluten triggers inflammatory reactions in people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity that can cause abdominal pain and digestive issues, and eventually lead to joint pain and intestinal damage. For now, the only way to avoid gluten intolerance is to stick to a strict gluten-free diet. Sorghum has high nutritional value, with high levels of unsaturated fats, protein, fibre, and minerals like phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and iron. It also has more antioxidants than blueberries and pomegranates. Recent research suggests that certain phytochemicals allow sorghum consumption to reduce the risk of colon and skin cancer more than other grains, and that other properties can promote cardiovascular health and lower cholesterol.

Certain sorghum varieties are more easily digestible than others, and American farmers have started to cultivate varieties that they call “food-grade” sorghum — the grain has historically been grown only for livestock feed in the United States. Still sorghum is the fifth-most produced grain in the world, behind wheat, corn, rice, and barley. In the United States, only wheat and corn are produced in higher quantities. The grain is considered cheap and easy to grow, since it is drought-resistant, grows in dry climates, and requires less water than wheat.

Sorghum’s status as an alternative grain for people with gluten intolerance has made it more available as human food in the United States, and Pontieri’s team suggests that its high nutritional value and other health benefits recommend it as a replacement for rice or corn among the general population as well. “Food-grade sorghums should be considered as an important option for all people, especially celiac patients,” their report concluded. In nations with high sorghum consumption, the grain is often eaten as porridge or boiled like rice as a base for other dishes.