Everyone likes to chew on a piece of sweet and delicious sugar cane during the cold winter months. Its luscious taste always brings us endless joy. However, do you know that this seemingly ordinary tropical herb actually hides a mystery, and there may be toxins hidden behind the sweetness? Next, I will reveal the two-sided nature of sugarcane in detail, and understand the sweetness and health of sugarcane and the hidden health risks behind it.
The "sweet and bitter" of sugar cane
As a natural "sugar storehouse" inhabiting tropical and subtropical regions, sugarcane has long been known and utilized by humans. Looking for traces from history, we can find the source of sugar cane.
The Indians were the first to discover and begin to refine crystallized sugars from sugar cane juice. During the Warring States period in the third century BC, sugar cane was introduced to southern China and gradually spread throughout the country during the Tang Dynasty.
Sugarcane not only has outstanding taste, but also contains high nutritional value, and is regarded as a health care product that can "strengthen the spleen and invigorate qi, smooth the intestines, relieve cough and relieve annoyance", all of which make sugarcane deeply loved by people.
However, did you know that sugarcane, a sweet ingredient we habitually call "fruit", has two sides to it? Behind the sweetness and health benefits of sugarcane, there are also hidden potential health risks.
If the sugarcane has a red core, then you should never taste it! This is because the warm and humid environment during transportation and sales causes the formation of Rhombuspora mold in it.
This mold produces a highly toxic toxin called 3-nitropropionic acid, which spreads extremely quickly in the human body, and it can cause central nervous system damage in a short period of time, causing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and convulsions.
If left untreated, it may even lead to cerebral ischemia necrosis, respiratory failure, and eventually death.
In this way, we need to be very careful when selecting sugar cane. So, how should we tell whether sugarcane has been contaminated with mold and has deteriorated? This depends on our "look, smell, and touch".
Tips for picking sugar cane
First of all, "looking" refers to seeing if the color of the sugarcane is normal.
Try to choose as dark as possible, medium thickness, and few knots. Because they represent the internal quality of the cane, the dark color indicates that the sugar content is high.
A small number of knots indicates a richer nutrient composition of the cane, and the normal flesh of the cane should be white, while if there is a red heart, light brown or peculiar smell, it may indicate that the sugarcane may have mildew.
Secondly, the "second smell" is to smell whether the smell of sugarcane is normal.
Fresh cane should have a nice aroma, and if you smell something unpleasant, such as sour, musty, or booze, then give up the cane outright.
Finally, the meaning of "three touches" is to feel whether the texture of the sugarcane is normal.
Fresh cane has a hard texture, and if it feels fluffy to the touch, then there is probably something wrong with the cane.
With the above tips, we can be aware of the benefits when buying sugarcane. However, in the process of savoring delicious food, we should also be aware of the precautions we need to pay attention to when eating sugar cane to avoid unnecessary damage to the body.
Especially for people with diabetes and high blood sugar problems, they should be more careful to reduce their sugar cane consumption.
For children, because they don't know how to handle bagasse yet, there is a risk of choking on sugarcane by choking, so it is not a good idea for them to eat sugarcane directly.
Everyone should be vigilant when it comes to enjoying the winter cane in order to truly enjoy the sweet taste and not be bothered by the risks behind it.
If you notice any discomfort or symptoms that suspect poisoning, no matter how mild or severe, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Remember, health is always at the forefront of everything you eat.
In summary, we see the special value and uniqueness of sugarcane. From a health perspective, we also recognise the risks that sugarcane can hide and learn how to enjoy it more safely, so that everyone can enjoy food while taking care of their health and improve their quality of life. Hopefully, this article will give you a deeper understanding of sugarcane, so that you can take in nutrients and protect your health at the same time.