In Kimironko Market, there is a well-known joint that sells fresh sugarcane juice, depending on one’s preferences, the juice can be mixed with ginger or lemon. A bottle of 500 millilitres goes for Rwf 800 to 1000 depending on the flavour one wants. In this scorching sun, nutritionists say it would be great to indulge in a glass of sugarcane juice, as it will not only cool you down but you will also be doing your body some justice. The juice is not just sweet, but also extremely nourishing and considered healthy. Dieudonne Bukaba, the nutritionist programme coordinator at Africa (AHA) Rwanda, says that fresh sugarcane juice comes with many health benefits, beyond just dehydrating the body. He says sugarcane is loaded with potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and many amino acids which are beneficial to health in many ways. Also, he says, the juice acts as an instant energy drink as it contains natural sucrose which helps in providing instant energy to the body. If you feel tired or dehydrated due to extreme heat, he recommends sugarcane juice. Private Kamanzi, a nutritionist who also sells fresh sugarcane juice at the wellness centre Amazon Nutrition Cabinet in Remera, says a glass of sugarcane juice has amazing health benefits and is packed with vital nutrients that the body needs. He says it’s known for its role in strengthening bones, boosting the immune system, enhancing digestion as well as relieving stress. Also, Kamanzi says, the diuretic property of sugarcane juice makes it essential for prevention of infections, like urinary tract infection, especially when there is a burning sensation while passing urine. Bukaba says sugarcane juice is loaded with minerals such as calcium and phosphorus that strengthen the enamel of the teeth and protect against decay. “The large amounts of nutrients in sugarcane juice help fight bad breath that can occur due to nutrient deficiency,” he says. According to studies, sugarcane juice helps strengthen the liver and it has also been proven to be a remedy for jaundice. In addition to this, the antioxidants in sugarcane juice protect the liver against infection and maintain the bilirubin levels in control. Sugarcane juice replenishes your body with lost proteins and nutrients required to recover from any kind of ailment, rapidly. Kamanzi says sugarcane juice helps maintain a good digestive system, and this is because of the presence of potassium, which helps in keeping the system in good shape, preventing stomach infection, and is very helpful in treating constipation. Also, it has been established that one of the surprising benefits of sugarcane juice is that it fights acne, reduces blemishes, delays ageing, and keeps the skin supple.
