Sugarcane, a seasonal winter food, offers numerous health benefits when consumed in moderation. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers sugarcane to be moistening for dryness and effective for stopping coughs, as well as for cleaning teeth. What should we pay attention to when buying sugarcane? Let's find out.
Sugarcane moistens dryness, stops coughs, and cleans teeth
According to TCM, sugarcane is sweet in flavor and cold in nature, entering the Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat, generating fluids, moistening dryness to quench thirst, and stopping coughs to resolve phlegm. It can be used to treat constipation due to dry stools, nausea and the desire to vomit, vexation, and thirst. When a sore throat is caused by heat, drinking sugarcane juice can relieve summer heat and quench thirst and treat the sore throat. When children have a small urine output and frequent urination, drinking sugarcane juice can remove internal heat and promote urination.
Sugarcane is rich in essential trace elements for the human body, such as iron, calcium, and zinc. Its iron content is particularly high, reaching 9 mg per kilogram, making it the highest among fruits. Thus, sugarcane is known as the "blood-enriching fruit."
The abundant fiber in sugarcane acts like a toothbrush when chewed repeatedly, sweeping away debris left in the mouth and between teeth. This enhances the teeth's self-cleaning ability and resistance to cavities. Therefore, sugarcane also serves as a "cleaner for the mouth," with the benefits of cleaning teeth and eliminating bad breath.
There are differences between consuming sugarcane raw, heated, or as sugar
Sugarcane has many benefits for the human body. Raw sugarcane juice can be used to clear heat, aid digestion, and relieve alcohol intoxication. The "Bencao" (Materia Medica) states: "Sugarcane consumed with alcohol produces phlegm; excessive consumption generates deficient heat and can trigger nosebleeds." The nature and flavor of sugarcane, whether eaten raw, as a heated juice, or as sugar, differ. Eating too much sugar can make the body produce heat, but when one has a fever and a sore throat, consuming sugar or starch dissolved in warm water is also very effective.
Sugarcane comes in purple and green varieties
There are two types of sugarcane: purple and green. The purple-skinned sugarcane, with a deep, nearly black skin, is commonly known as "black skin sugarcane." Its nature is relatively mild and nourishing, making it unsuitable for those with a sore throat and excess heat. The green-skinned sugarcane, commonly known as "bamboo sugarcane," is sweet in flavor and cool in nature. It has a heat-clearing effect, capable of relieving lung and stomach heat.
Sugarcane is delicious, but poisoning from moldy sugarcane does occur. The municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds citizens to pay attention to the following 4 points when purchasing and consuming sugarcane:
1. Choose fresh, clean sugarcane without any mold spots. After peeling, the flesh should be white, not red, and it should not have a sour, musty, or wine-like smell. If the sugarcane's color is poor, appearing grayish-black or brownish, and white, cottony or fluffy substances appear at the end, it has become moldy. Even if only a few spots of mold are found on a sugarcane while other parts look fine, it is not safe to eat after cutting away the affected parts. Sugarcane with mold spots must never be consumed.
2. If it has a foul smell, such as a sour, musty, rotten, or wine-like pungent odor, it cannot be eaten.
3. A special reminder for those who enjoy sugarcane juice: it is best to buy it freshly peeled and juiced, and drink it immediately. This prevents inferior quality sugarcane from being used and avoids the risk of poisoning after consumption.
4. If poisoning symptoms appear after eating sugarcane, seek medical attention immediately.
It should be noted that according to TCM, sugarcane is sweet and cold in nature. For individuals with a damp-cold constitution, consuming sugarcane is not only unbeneficial but can be harmful. Therefore, it is contraindicated for those with excessive internal phlegm-dampness, a thick greasy tongue coating, stomach cold with pain, or vomiting. Additionally, individuals with a weak or cold Spleen and Stomach should avoid eating sugarcane.