Drinking raw cane juice is an exciting new trend for those seeking a miracle health drink, but is it really that good for you? There seems to be some debate over this issue. Health claims range from its ability to energize the body while having a low glycemic index to preventing prostate and breast cancer. While not all of these claims can be backed up by studies, the trend is growing and raw cane juice is popping up at farmers markets and health food stores throughout the country, especially in health-centric Southern California!
What is raw cane juice? It is the juice pressed from sugar cane, which is a grass similar to bamboo. It is rich in minerals, low in sucrose, and high in chlorophyll. The benefit that business owner Rey Koo touts in his marketing is the cleansing and detoxifying abilities the juice has. Rey Koo owns Raw Cane Super Juice (sugarcanejuice.org) which has a storefront location in Los Angeles as well as booths at many local farmers markets. The fiber and the plentiful minerals are what allow the juice to be so effective and allows the body to regulate its pH and cleanse itself. The company offers the juice on its own, as well as a part of a Master Cleanse series.
An article published in June for the LA Times quoted Roger Clemens, adjunct professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences at USC, on the topic. “There’s a difference between nutritionally rich and calorically rich,” Clemens said. “[But] the bottom line is there isn’t any scientific evidence to support these purported claims.” On the other hand, according to an article recently published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, the use of raw cane juice in guinea pigs actually reversed the effects of arthritis.
Raw cane juice can also be a substitute for sugared drinks in your diet, such as sodas. It is sweet and refreshing. It also provides a boost of energy without loading you up on sucrose, so you won’t crash shortly after consumption. You can also add it as a mild sweetener to your favorite smoothie or your morning latte for a unique and delicious way to start your day. This sweet treat also has a long history as cultures throughout the world, from India to Central America, have used it for centuries.
With scientific evidence supporting it or not, the people have spoken and raw cane juice is here to stay.
August 5, 2010 at 3:37 am
I’m not sure why people always think they invent the games they play… We used to go to the farmers market in Atlanta and get fresh sugar cane and cut it down and chew on the stalk. One of our old neighbors would run it through her old wringer washer and we would drink that juice after it was chilled – Oh was it good.
August 5, 2010 at 5:48 am
Sucrose is just a 50/50 blend of glucose/fructose. Recent studies show that it is likely that it is the excessive FRUCTOSE in our diets that is ramping up type II diabetes and obesity. Children who drink fruit juice are more likely to be obese. If the cane juice is sweet (and it very much is, I’ve had it at roadside stands in the Virgin Islands- it tastes like grass… bleck) then SOMETHING is making it sweet.. that something is fructose. no matter what form you find it in or from what plant it’s derived from, excessive fructose consumption is unhealthy. Skip the cane juice and drink a glass of water. There are so many other places you can get a good dose of chlorophyll and anti-oxidants without the fructose.
~Huntress
June 26, 2011 at 9:31 am
I would just like to clarify something;
Whilst you are correct when you say that fruit juice is high is sugar and is a cause for child obesity you are incorrect in your assumption that ALL fruit juice is ”bad” for your health. This is because the ‘fruit juice’ that these studies refer to are the juices which are packaged and sold as ‘fresh’ when in fact they are highly processed versions of the real thing AND contain preservatives or are often made from fruit concentrate and NOT the real thing – that is all refined sugar!
Juices which are made at home or in front of your own eyes are the real deal – not all SUGAR has adverse side effects only refined sugar does. Moreover, I live in Pakistan and have had fresh, raw sugar cane juice all my life and I don’t know what grassy tasting thing you tried but the one you get here is delicious and very very sweet – without any additives!
August 5, 2010 at 4:44 pm
One thing that my wife and I do with raw cane juice is use it in cold brewed lattes – a little raw cane juice, cold brew coffee and milk (we use raw). DELICIOUS and less sweet and more natural than using a flavored syrup.