Sugarcane Juice is a drink that is relished across the country during the hot summer months. The humble drink is popular with kids and grownups alike, due to its delicious taste and nutritional qualities. A glass of chilled sugarcane juice doesn’t just quench your thirst like little else can, but also gives you an instant boost of energy that effectively counteracts the lethargy brought on by the summer heat

Mrs Olufunmilola Adewumi, the Assistant Chief Nutritionist at the Orile Agege General Hospital in Lagos State has advised those seeking to improve their fertility level and libido to consider taking sugarcane juice for a boost.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that sugarcane could help women with ovulation problem by increasing their chances of safer pregnancy and quicker conception.

According to her, sugarcane contains significant amount of nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin B2, magnesium, iron, potassium and phosphorus.

“Sugarcane has copious amounts of vitamin B9 and folic acid which protects the unborn child from birth defects, such as Spina bifida.

“It also acts as an aphrodisiac, increasing libido and sperm count.

“It helps in rectifying erectile dysfunction.”

Adewumi said that apart from boosting libido and safer pregnancy, consuming sugarcane juice could help to reduce the burning sensation associated with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

“It can reduce urinary tract infection, kidney stones and prostatitis when consumed in a diluted form, with lime juice and coconut water,’’ she said.\

The nutritionist, therefore, recommended a daily consumption of 400ml of sugarcane juice to gain from its benefits.

She, however, warned that overconsumption could cause stomach upset, unnecessary weight loss, headaches and dizziness.

Meanwhile, sugarcane has been attributed as a natural remedy to a score of problems. It’s rich in antioxidants so it helps fights infections and boost the immunity. It’s rich in iron, magnesium, calcium and other electrolytes so it’s great for dehydration. It helps cure the common cold and other infections and also fight fever as it boosts the body’s protein levels.

Below are the few health benefits of sugarcane juice that you must learn about:

Benefits of Sugarcane Juice

1. One of the most important health benefits of sugarcane juice that it is a diuretic which means that it helps treat urinary tract infections, kidney stones and ensure proper functioning of the kidneys.

1. According to Ayurveda, sugarcane juice helps strengthen your liver and is thus suggested as a remedy for jaundice. Jaundice is a condition where you find yellow pigmentation of the skin and membrane due to elevated levels of a substance known as bilirubin in the bodily fluids and is triggered by poor functioning liver. What sugarcane juice does is replenish your body with proteins lost and nutrients that it needs to recover quickly.

1. Another important health benefit of sugarcane juice is due to it being rich in the good kind of carbohydrates, protein, iron, potassium and other essential nutrients that make it the ideal energy drinks. Especially in the summer months, a glass of cold sugarcane juice and really life both your health and your depleting levels of energy. It builds up plasma and body fluids and helps counter dryness and fatigue.

1. Ayurveda also suggests that ‘sugarcane juice exhibits laxative properties thereby improving bowel movement and relieving constipation’ (Source: ayurhelp.com). Sugar cane juice also has alkaline properties which means it’s good for treating acidity and stomach burns.

1. It has a low glycemic index (GI) so it comes highly recommended for diabetics. A study showed that drinking sugarcane juice did not alter the blood glucose levels of diabetics drastically but you should check with your doctor before you start to drink some of this yourself.

1. Sugar cane juice is extremely rich in minerals which helps prevent tooth decay and bad breath.

So every time you feel like you need to replenish your body and re-hydrate during the summers, grab that glass of chilled sugar cane juice and enjoy its benefits!