Sugarcane

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The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Octacosanol is also one of the key components of policosanol, a mixture of fatty substances isolated and purified from the wax of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Policosanol has exceptional clinical documentation demonstrating its efficacy, safety, and tolerability in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The clinical studies have included comparative studies versus conventional cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, gemfibrozil, and probucol.

Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs Neal D. Barnard and Bryanna Clark Grogan See book keywords and concepts

If you crave sugar: In recipes, maple syrup, molasses, sorghum syrup, and granulated sugarcane juice (Sucanat) can sometimes substitute for table sugar. These are hardly health foods! The idea is to replace refined white sugar with a smaller amount of syrup or juice. They're so flavorful you won't notice you're using less. Stevia is an intensely sweet derivative of an herb from Paraguay. It is sold as a dietary supplement (its use as a commercial food additive has not yet been approved).

The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals Leslie Taylor, ND See book keywords and concepts

Local people and villagers along the Amazon believe that chuchuhuasi is an aphrodisiac and tonic, and the bark soaked in the local sugarcane rum (aguardiente) is a popular jungle drink that is even served in bars and to tourists (often called "go-juice" to relieve pain and muscle aches and to "keep going" during long treks in the rainforest). Local healers and curanderos in the Amazon use chuchuhuasi as a general tonic, to speed healing and, when combined with other medicinal plants, as a synergist for many types of illnesses.

As an aphrodisiac, clavo huasca is traditionally prepared by soaking the vine bark and wood in alcohol, or most commonly, the local sugarcane rum called aguardiente. In Brazilian herbal medicine, the plant is called cipo cravo; it is considered an excellent remedy for dyspepsia, difficult digestion, and intestinal gas (when brewed as a water decoction) and an aphrodisiac (when macerated in alcohol into a tincture).

Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany C. P. Khare See book keywords and concepts

Jaggery was administered in biliary derangement and was considered superior to other derivatives of sugarcane. It was also used as a cardiac tonic. Sitopalaa (double purified sugar candy, known as Misri) was used as demulcent and pectoral. Charaka and Sushruta used Ikshu-rasa (sugarcane-juice) as a drink, or ingredient of mixed drinks, as a tonic; with milk or honey for haemoptysis, anaemia, urinary diseases; and as a spermat-opoietic. Roots were included in prescriptions as a urinary tract disinfectant.

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Policosanol Cuban researchers discovered many years ago that certain compounds found in sugarcane wax (long-chain alcohols collectively called policosanol) could lower both total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol and possibly even raise good HDL cholesterol. There have been more than a dozen randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials with Cuban policosanol. The results are surprisingly consistent with doses ranging between 5 and 20 milligrams daily. Total cholesterol comes down by between 13 and 23 percent, and LDL cholesterol is reduced by 20 to 26 percent.

Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany C. P. Khare See book keywords and concepts

The root of sugarcane has been included in Panch-trinamuula (Roots of Five Grasses) of Ayurvedic medicine. (Others being roots of Saccharum spontaneum, Desmostachya bipinnata, Imperata cylindrica, Oryza sativa.) These are reputed diuretic drugs, singly or in combination. The root of Ikshu was used in prescriptions for dysuria, anuria, retention of urine, for urinary affections during pregnancy (Bhaavaprakaasha). For proper assimilation of food and digestion, sugarcane derivatives were prescribed with the juice of Aadraka (fresh Zingiber officinale).

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Many scientists question whether US policosanol from beeswax or yams (which contain the same long-chain alcohols as sugarcane) is as effective as the patented Cuban product, which is now itself in question. The standard dose ranges from 5 to 20 milligrams. Downside: Effectiveness and quality control of US policosanol products have not been established. There could be an increased risk of bleeding when policosanol is combined with an anticoagulant like warfarin (Coumadin). Side effects: Modest weight loss, digestive tract upset, headache, insomnia, and skin rash.

The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

The stalks of sweet sorghums are chewed much like sugarcane, while grain sorghums are usually consumed as porridge or flat-cakes, which are made by adding hot water to pounded flour. In Nigeria, immature sorghum is roasted much like sweet corn, and special varieties are popped like popcorn. In India, sorghum grain is ground or cracked, made into dough, and baked as an unleavened bread called rotti. The grain is also parched, boiled whole, and made into alcoholic beverages, including a vitamin B-rich beer made in central Africa and a potent Chinese liquor called mao-tai.

Combine freshly squeezed lime juice, evaporated sugarcane juice, and either plain or sparkling water to make limeade. • Add an easy-to-prepare zing to dinner by tossing seasoned cooked brown rice with garden peas, chicken pieces, scallions, pumpkin seeds, lime juice, and lime zest. • Squeeze some lime juice onto an avocado quarter and eat as is. SAFETY Limes contain low levels of oxalates, while lime peel contains high levels of oxalates. Individuals with a history of calcium oxalate-containing kidney stones should limit their consumption of this food. See page 787 for more information.

The other foods are sugarcane (from southern Asia), tangerines (from eastern Asia), and peanuts (from Bolivia), so this is a festival with international flair. During the festival, "jicama dolls" are cut from strips of paper. Jicama is also enjoyed in the Philippines, where it is called singkamas and is eaten raw in salad dressed with a vinaigrette as an accompaniment for fish or eaten plain, sprinkled with salt.

Anti-Aging Manual: The Encyclopedia of Natural Health Joseph E. Mario See book keywords and concepts

AHA Glycolic acid (in sugarcane juice) reacts to soften and peel off the outer skin layer, to remove skin defects and scartissue, and spur new Collagen skin tissue in the dermis, retaining more moisture, elasticity and smoothness. Other Alpha-Hydroxy Acids include Citric acid in citrus and pineapple, Gluconic acid in skin. Malic acid in apples, Tartaric acid in grapes and wine,andmoisturizer Lactic acid in milk (for dry cracked flaky skin).

Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods Dianne Onstad See book keywords and concepts

Macadamias are Hawaii's third largest crop; pineapples and sugarcane are the leaders. The island of Hawaii, known as the Big Island, provides 99 percent of Hawaiian macadamias and 95 percent of the world supply. Culinary Uses The large (one inch in diameter), spherical, light beige macadamia kernel has a crunchy, sweet, delicate taste and a creamy, rich texture. Given their hard shells, tendency to mildew in the shell, and high oil content, they are almost always sold shelled in vacuum-packed jars.

Dr. Earl Mindell's Unsafe at Any Meal: How to Avoid Hidden Toxins in Your Food Earl Mindell and Hester Mundis See book keywords and concepts

Barbados Molasses This is another light molasses, processed the same way as sorghum, only sugarcane is used instead of sorghum. Its taste is much like blackstrap molasses, only more palatable, but it has virtually none of blackstrap molasses's nutrients. (Note: No molasses or any other sweetener made from sorghum or sugarcane is organic, since neither is considered a food crop and the plants are frequendy sprayed.) Honey This nectar of the gods is still sugar and has the highest calorie content of all natural sweeteners, approximately 65 calories per tablespoon.

The Complete Guide to Health and Nutrition Gary Null See book keywords and concepts

Refined sugar, because so many nutrients are removed from it, is believed to be more likely to produce diabetes than unrefined sugarcane, which is rich in the glucose tolerance factor, chromium.137 Investigators tell us that even though the South African diet is rich in raw sugarcane, diabetes is rare among the workers who cut and eat it daily.138 This may also be due to the fact that the sugar is eaten in its high-fiber natural state, or that these workers are exercising strenuously each day.

Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods Dianne Onstad See book keywords and concepts

Blackstrap molasses (sulfured) is the waste residue left after the third exttaction of sugar from the sugarcane or beet. It contains all the nutrients that were stripped away from the sugar during the refining process; it also contains all the residues from the chemicals used in growing and refining rhe sugar—pesticides, lead, and sulfur, to name just a few. Very aromatic, blacksttap molasses has a strong, deep, slightly bitter licorice flavor and is not the kind of syrup you would want to eat sttaight from the container.

Until the end of the Middle Ages honey was the sweetener par excellence in much of the world, although by no means the only one; some countries used date syrup or fig syrup, others malted grains, still others grape juice, and a few had sugarcane. Having discovered the pleasant flavor and energy-giving properties of honey, people soon found that it had other virtues. Since the golden substance is almost pure sugar and ferments very readily, even the debris of a honeycomb left to soak in water is enough to produce a delicious and mildly intoxicating liquid.

The Pathological Protein: Mad Cow, Chronic Wasting, and Other Deadly Prion Diseases Philip Yam See book keywords and concepts

Nations that have conducted research in agricultural bioterrorism have focused on infecting crop plants; the United Nations has cited ten plant diseases that could be turned into weapons, including wheat rust, sugarcane smut, and rice blast. 17 Stecklow, "Mad Cow Exposure." 18 "Ruminant Feed (BSE) Enforcement Activities," FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Washington, DC, April 15, 2002, http://www.fda.gov/cvm/index/ updates/bseapo2.htm (last accessed March 6, 2003). 19 R. F. Marsh and W.J. Hadlow, "Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy," Scientific and Technical Review (Rev. Sci. Tech. Off.

Whole Foods Companion: A Guide For Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and lovers of natural foods Dianne Onstad See book keywords and concepts

Rapadura is made by a simple technology: juice is pressed from sugarcane and cooked to reduce its water content. Today's organic rapadura is then granulated at low temperatures. When traditionally made, this hot, concentrated cane juice is poured into cones or blocks that harden when cool and require grating before use (rapa in Portuguese means "to grate"; dura means "hard"). Rapadura is 82 percent sucrose; it is high in chromium, the nutrient that diabetics are deficient in. Like sugar, unrefined cane juice can ease Cane Sugar / Nutritional Value Per 100 g Edible Portion Protein 1.

This unrefined product has existed in certain tropical areas for five thousand years; it is made simply by evaporating the water from whole sugarcane juice. With between 80 and 85 percent sucrose, it still contains the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients present in the original cane. Although cane sugar was previously difficult to export because of fermentation resulting from its moisture content, in recent years drier, nonfermenting products are being produced in the West for the first time. One popular brand is Sucanat, a trade name that stands for "sugar cane natural.

Culinary Uses Water chestnuts have a delicate and delicious flavor, reminiscent of sugarcane, sweet corn, and coconut. They look like gladiolus bulbs, with fibrous chestnut-brown skins enclosing the sweet firm flesh. The most memorable property of the water chestnut is its crunch. Although jicama and Asian pears come close to the refreshing crisp texture of this water vegetable, they do not match its refreshing delicacy or its juicy sweet flavor. Once the skins are removed, water chestnuts may be added raw to fresh fruit salads, hot or cold vegetables, rice, or noodles.

Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About Kevin Trudeau See book keywords and concepts

It is also laced with the chemicals used in the growing of sugarcane. This should be avoided at all costs. A nutritional comparison between white sugar and whole raw sugar: White Sugar Whole Raw Sugar Sucrose 99.6 88- 91 Glucose 0 2-6 Fructose 0 3-6 Potassium 3-5 600- -1,000 Magnesium 0 40- 100 Calcium 10 - 15 80 - 110 Phosphorus 0.3 50- 100 Vitamin A 0 120- -1,200 Vitamin Bl 0 .023 - .1 Vitamin B2 0 .06 - .15 Vitamin B6 0 .02 - .015 Niacin 0 .03 - .19 Patothenic 0 .34 - 1.18 These comparisons are based on 100 grams.

Bottom Line's Prescription Alternatives Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA See book keywords and concepts

Commercially sold policosanol supplements are usually made from either sugarcane or beeswax. Citrus peels, wheat germ, and caviar are other rich sources of policosanol. Policosanol has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels by up to 20 percent, and it raises HDL by an average of 10 percent—without the side effects caused by statins. As a matter of fact, in a study of nearly 28,000 people who used policosanol for two to four years, less than half of 1 percent of the subjects experienced notable adverse effects from their daily dose.

Food, Inc. Mendel to Monsanto - The Promises and Perils of the Biotech Harvest Peter Pringle See book keywords and concepts

Farming in the tropics concentrated on cash crops such as tea, cocoa, sugarcane, pineapples, dates, bananas, and spices, not the crops needed by indigenous peoples.

Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About Kevin Trudeau See book keywords and concepts

Use raw organic honey, organic raw evaporated sugarcane juice, or the herb stevia. All are excellent choices for sweeteners. Remember, science is not better than nature. 11. Do not drink diet sodas. Diet sodas have been called the "new crack" because they are so addicting. Diet sodas will actually make you gain weight as well as make you depressed. Because of the artificial sweeteners used, such as aspartame, they are also giving you a variety of medical symptoms. If you want a soda, ideally, get an organic soda from your health food store. Or if you must indulge, drink a regular soda.

The Pathological Protein: Mad Cow, Chronic Wasting, and Other Deadly Prion Diseases Philip Yam See book keywords and concepts

Lindenbaum, now with the City University of New York Graduate Center, described how the South Fore prepared the body for consumption: In the deceased's old sugarcane garden, maternal kin dismembered the corpse with a bamboo knife and stone axe. They first removed hands and feet, then cut open the arms and legs to strip out the muscles. Opening the chest and belly, they avoided rupturing the gall bladder, whose bitter contents would ruin the meat. After severing the head, they fractured the skull to remove the brain. Meat, viscera, and brain were all eaten.

Anti-Aging Manual: The Encyclopedia of Natural Health Joseph E. Mario See book keywords and concepts

Burdock, Cayenne, Chamomile, Chaparral, Chickweed, Dandelion root, Yellow Dock root, Hawthorn, Licorice, Marshmallow, Paprika, Spirulina, Psyllium, Garlic, Butcher's Broom, Lady's Slipper, Eyebright, Echinacea, Bilberry, Buchu, Gotu Kola, and Sarsaparilla. •COPPER (Cu) Atomic #29; 115 mg.inthe human body, .00015% inthe human body. Copper Sebacate is a natural body form that's less toxic and better to lerated by the body than the Copper forms, and is a better transporter than chelates. Copper sebacate can function as Copper/SOD antioxidant against free radicals (with Manganese and Zinc).

Disease Prevention and Treatment The Life Extension Editorial Staff See book keywords and concepts

Policosanol is a natural supplement made from sugarcane. The main ingredient is octacosanol, an alcohol found in the waxy film that plants have over their leaves and fruit. Octacosanol is a "long chain fatty alcohol" (similar to cholesterol which is also an alcohol). Policosanol is a combination of octacosanol and several other long chain fatty alcohols—hence the name "poli"-cosanol. Keeping octosanol together with other naturally occurring fatty alcohols makes it more stable. There is evidence that octosanol also works better when it is combined with other fatty alcohols.

Food Politics Marion Nestle See book keywords and concepts

In 1991, for example, 1,700 farms raised sugarcane and 13,700 raised sugar beets in the United States, but 42% of the sugar subsidies went to just 1% of these growers.31 The owners of these few farms give generously to both political parties. The Fanjul family, for example, controls about one-third of Florida's sugarcane production and collects at least $60 million annually in subsidies. The Fanjuls contributed more than $350,000 to the two political parties—more to Democrats than to Republicans—through their Flo-Sun companies in 1997-1998.

Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating Jeffrey M. Smith See book keywords and concepts

Some of the these include: wheat, rice, melons, cucumbers, strawberries, broccoli, grapes, sunflower, sugarcane, sugar beet, apples, lettuce, radic-chio, carrots, coffee, cranberries, eggplant, oats, onions, peas, pineapples, plums, raspberries, sweet potatoes, walnuts, and barley. Many varieties are undergoing field trials in one of the thousands of test plots being conducted yearly. Whatever risk any particular GM product has, great or small, the act of introducing so many varieties in the future can multiply a small risk into a virtual certainty. Sign up for emailed updates at www.

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