Refreshing natural Sugarcane Juice to beat the heat

Many parts of northern India, including capital Delhi, is reeling under a fierce heatwave with temperatures soaring above 45C over on many days. One city in the country even recorded a temperature of 47.8C, the highest in the country this season. To quench the thirst and to beat the heat people tend to run towards juice shops.

Many prefer to consume natural drinks rather than packed ones, in spite of the fact supermarkets continue to showcase packaged products with massive publicity ingredient. In rural pockets, palm juice, tender coconuts, et al are available in plenty, thanks to people who still try to breath fresh air, protect the sand and plots from industrialization. Parents - even school authorities advise children to go in for traditional and natural healthy drinks to quench their thirst instead of packaged juices.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum Linn.) is an important perennial grass of Poaceae family, indigenous to tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. Needless to mention that its juice is popular as a raw material for production of refined sugar and its wax is considered as a potential substitute for the expensive carnauba wax.

In the treatment of jaundice, hemorrhage, dysuria, anuria, and other urinary diseases too its juice is commonly used in our country.

Mr. Logu, who is selling sugarcane Juice in Chennai Parrys area, has been in this juicy business for more than 30 years and is happy with this full time job which earns approx Rs.15,000 p.m.

"Sugarcane juice, the desi summer drink, it is believed, has fully been loaded with nutrients that make it a perfect summer drink. It has been naturally packed with calcium, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamins A, C, etc. which help in replenishing the nutrients lost due to excessive sweat.

Apart from that, its high fibre content helps promoting satiety too. Some say that consuming sugarcane juice give the skin necessary radiant glow." explains Shri Logu.