Black Sugar: Its Benefits and Usage

Black sugar, also known as brown sugar or purple sugar, is a type of edible sucrose with a color close to black. It is highly nutritious and particularly beneficial for women, especially in regulating menstrual cycles. Many women consume black sugar water in the days preceding menstruation to promote a smooth flow.

Benefits and Effects of Black Sugar Water

1. Black sugar can help replenish blood and detoxify the body for women.

2. Black sugar water can assist in smoothing menstrual flow. Consuming hot black sugar water can warm the body, increase energy, stimulate qi and blood, and enhance blood circulation, leading to a smoother menstrual experience.

3. It contains a wealth of nutrients that contribute to skin health and nourishment.

4. Black sugar can accelerate skin cell metabolism, provide energy, supplement nutrients, and promote cell regeneration. Its unique natural acids and pigment-regulating substances effectively regulate various pigment metabolic processes, balance the quantity and distribution of skin pigments, and reduce abnormal accumulation of local pigments. This helps lighten melanin, brighten, and purify the skin.

5. During confinement after childbirth, women can consume black sugar water (commonly known as red sugar water) to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, assist in uterine contraction and recovery, and facilitate the discharge of lochia. Additionally, black sugar water has a high glucose concentration, which can aid in urination, reduce postpartum urine retention in the bladder, and thereby prevent urinary system infections.

Contraindications of Black Sugar Water

1. Individuals with yin deficiency and internal heat are advised to avoid excessive consumption of black sugar.

2. Obese individuals and those with various eye conditions should also limit their intake.

Evaluation from Traditional Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine, black sugar is considered to have a warm nature and sweet taste, entering the spleen. It possesses the functions of tonifying the middle and invigorating qi, harmonizing the middle, digesting food, warming the spleen, and nourishing the stomach. It also has analgesic, activating, and blood-activating and cold-dispersing effects. For instance, women can consume black sugar water during confinement to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, aid in uterine contraction and recovery, and facilitate the expulsion of lochia. Moreover, black sugar water, with its high glucose concentration, can aid in urination, reduce postpartum urine retention in the bladder, and thereby prevent urinary system infections.

Additionally, black sugar can be used as a sweetener for children who dislike the bitter taste of medicine. Children with issues such as qi deficiency, poor appetite, and malnutrition can also consume black sugar water as a snack to obtain its nourishing properties, but it should be avoided before meals. Black sugar ginger soup can be used to dispel coldness for those with abdominal pain due to coldness or those prone to catching colds during menstruation.

For elderly individuals, especially those recovering from major illnesses, black sugar has excellent nourishing and restorative effects. Consuming black sugar can disperse blood stasis, promote bowel movements, and benefit the liver and eyesight. It also strengthens the qi, nourishes the stomach, and warms and replenishes the heart and lungs.