Why do we need to add lime to sugarcane juice?

Nutrition in 100g of sugarcane

Dr. Tu Ngu - Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Nutrition Association - said that sugarcane is quite clean compared to other plants or fruits that are sold a lot in the summer.

During the growing and harvesting process, sugarcane rarely needs to use growth stimulants or preservatives because the sugarcane itself stays fresh for a long time and has a thick protective shell. When used to cool down, the sugarcane's outer shell is cleaned, so it is quite safe.

The best way to use sugarcane is to remove the skin and hard part, then chew the soft part of the sugarcane directly. Using it like this will have many benefits, that is, receiving more fiber, when chewing, in addition to cleaning teeth and oral cavity, sugarcane also helps stimulate salivary glands, which is good for digestion.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, every 100g of sugarcane contains 84g of water, 0.2g of protein, 0.5g of fat, 12g of sugar and many trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins such as B1, B2, C, D...

There are also organic acids and many types of enzymes. In sugarcane there is sucrose (accounting for 70 - 88% of soluble solids in sugarcane juice), glucose and fructose. In 100ml of sugarcane juice there is 20g of sugar, a fairly large amount of sugar, so you should not drink too much sugarcane juice.

Doctor Ngu also said that if you use pure sugarcane juice, it will not have a cooling effect, but it is only considered a soft drink when ice is added. Ice mixed with pure sugarcane juice will make it taste better, cool down better and especially will reduce the sweetness in a glass of sugarcane juice.

This expert also recommends that when drinking sugarcane juice, you should add ice to reduce the sugar content, because the melted ice will increase the amount of water and help cool it well.

Do not let pure sugarcane juice cool down and drink it, even though it feels cold, the sweetness and sugar content will not change. Drinking pure sugarcane juice, without adding water or ice, should not be considered a refreshing drink.

The reason is that a glass of sugarcane juice contains a lot of sugar, drinking it will make the body hotter. Moreover, drinking a lot of sugarcane juice can cause weight gain, because sugarcane contains a lot of sugar, so the energy intake into the body is quite large, not to mention the use of other foods during the day.

Why sugarcane juice needs lime?

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh (food technology expert) said that adding kumquat to sugarcane juice does not increase the nutritional value of this drink, the sole purpose is to enhance the aroma, the sour taste of kumquat will soften the sweetness of sugarcane juice, so that drinking it does not feel harsh.

However, Mr. Thinh said that adding kumquat to sugarcane juice only helps the taste buds feel less sweetness, but does not reduce the sugar content in the cup of sugarcane juice.

This expert also recommends adding only a small amount because if you squeeze too much kumquat peel and seeds, it will be bitter and difficult to drink. In addition, you should only add kumquat when drinking on the spot, otherwise you should not add kumquat because it will spoil quickly, because it is easy to ferment.

"Sugarcane contains a lot of sugar, so people should not use too much because it is cool and delicious. Just drinking 2 cups of sugarcane juice a day is enough sugar recommended for an adult.

While there are many other sources of sugar in the body, the risk of excess sugar is very high. Using too much sugar will increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.

Besides, you should not drink it close to meals, because sugarcane juice has a lot of sugar, which will make you lose your appetite or lose your appetite for other foods. You should drink sugarcane juice during breaks after work, or when your body is dehydrated.

Sugarcane juice not only quenches thirst but also provides water, energy, and helps you stay more alert," Mr. Thinh recommended.

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tai-sao-nuoc-mia-lai-can-cho-them-tac-20250506193317132.htm