What Is Cane Alcohol? Is It Bad for You?
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Organic, natural, and non-GMO, among many other labels, are supposedly “better” alternatives to a normal generic product. But what about organic cane alcohol? We know that there are harmful effects of drinking alcoholic beverages and may be looking for a better option.
On the surface, cane alcohol can seem like a viable alternative to other alcoholic beverages we may be more familiar with. However, a deeper dive into its adverse effects may suggest otherwise. Let’s further examine what it is and evaluate if it's a healthier option so we can make more well-informed alcohol choices.
Cane alcohol is alcohol that is made from the sugar cane plant. The two main types of cane alcohol are pure cane alcohol and alcohol made from molasses — which we know as rum.
Pure cane alcohol is made from organic sugar cane. The plant is cut and milled with water to produce raw sugar cane juice, which is then heated to remove the impurities. The sugar cane juice is fermented and distilled multiple times to reach a high level of purity, which organic cane alcohol is known for. Rum, on the other hand, is made from fermentation of molasses, a byproduct of the sugar-making process. It falls under the general category of cane alcohol but is distinct from pure cane alcohol.
Pure organic cane alcohol is known for its neutral taste and purity, making it adaptable to many different uses.
Organic cane alcohol is used in a variety of different industries aside from alcoholic beverage companies. Some of its other uses include the following:
Cane alcohol is versatile, not just in its applications within different industries but also in the types of alcoholic beverages it can create.
Pure cane alcohol, which is pure alcohol at 98% alcohol by volume, is used to make distilled alcoholic beverages such as liqueurs, vodkas, and bitters. Legality varies widely by country and region. When purchasing or consuming cane alcohol, it’s important to check regional regulations.
Cane alcoholic drinks are extremely popular in Brazil. Three of the most notable include cachaça, aguardente de cana, and simple alcoholic sugar cane distillate — all made from sugar cane juice. Each varies in ABV and has its own minimum and maximum ABV regulations in Brazil.
While cane alcoholic beverages are popular in Brazil, rum is the most popular cane alcohol approved for consumption in the U.S. According to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), rum may not exceed 95% alcohol by volume but can vary in regulations depending on the area.
So is cane alcohol really so bad, given its popularity and various uses?
Organic sugar cane alcohol in the context of cosmetics preservation and pharmaceuticals can be a great alternative to synthetically produced chemicals. However, in the context of alcoholic beverages, being derived from an organic plant doesn’t negate the toxicity of alcohol.
Just the way a basket of french fries or a carton of apple juice doesn't count as our serving of fruits and vegetables for the day, alcohol made from a plant doesn’t exactly make it a green juice. Organic cane alcohol has the same harmful effects as other alcoholic beverages that are made from other plants. It goes through the same fermentation process that creates alcohol by turning sugar into ethanol. When we consume ethanol, it’s broken down into a toxic compound known as acetaldehyde — the culprit of many of alcohol’s detrimental effects.
A particular study focused on sugar cane spirits found that their consumption produced anxiolytic-like effects in mice, reducing their inhibitions and causing them to behave out of the ordinary, while also causing them liver injury. While the alcohol content in organic cane alcohol can vary depending on the type of alcoholic beverage, it still contains toxic compounds that harm our health.
So, we’ve learned that cane alcohol has the same harmful effects as grain alcohol, but let’s dive into the difference a little more.
Grain and cane alcohol are similar in that they have various uses, and they’re both derived from plants: cane alcohol is from sugar cane and grain alcohol is from other grains such as corn, wheat, or barley. But grain and cane alcohol are distinct due to three main differences:
While sugar cane alcohol has some benefits over grain alcohol, consuming cane alcohol is still associated with many risks.
Sugar cane alcohol is just like any other alcohol in that it is a toxic compound that opens the door to many different complications and consequences. Some of the issues that drinking alcohol leads to include the following:
Due to the way sugar cane alcohol is presented, it also comes with its own risk factors.
Let’s clear up some of the confusion surrounding organic cane alcohol so we can make well-informed decisions about drinking.
Cane alcohol, specifically organic cane alcohol, is associated with many common misconceptions, such as:
After we understand exactly what cane alcohol is we are able to consume more mindfully and safely.
As we’ve learned, consuming cane alcohol comes with many risks. If we choose to drink cane alcohol, we can limit its negative consequences through mindful drinking practices:
Mindfully approaching cane alcohol and alcohol in general can help minimize its adverse effects. However, at the end of the day, alcohol is still alcohol, no matter if it’s organic or derived from a sugar cane plant.
We may have all been duped at some point in our lives by product labeling. Free-range, all-natural, and organic may not always be what we think. Debunking common myths about organic cane alcohol helps us see it for what it is. Pure cane alcohol is a useful, eco-friendly substance when used in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries. However, as an alcoholic beverage, organic cane alcohol has the same toxic effects as grain alcohol, which we may be more familiar with. The lack of clarity and regulations surrounding cane alcohol makes it even more dangerous than other alcoholic beverages. Gain a better relationship with alcohol by cutting back, whether it be from grain or cane!
1. What is organic cane alcohol?
Organic cane alcohol is made from organic sugar cane plants. It needs to meet certain requirements to be labeled as organic. Some USDA requirements include having no traces of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, ionized radiation, or preservatives.
2. What are the differences between grain and cane alcohol?
The main difference between grain and cane alcohol is how they are made. Grain alcohol is made by fermenting different types of grains. Cane alcohol is made from fermented sugar cane juice or molasses derived from sugar cane.
3. Is sugar cane alcohol better for me?
Not necessarily. If you have celiac disease or are gluten-sensitive and choose to drink, sugar cane alcohol will help you avoid alcohol-related triggers. However, cane alcohol still has the same negative effects as any type of alcohol on overall health.
4. What are the risks of using sugar cane alcohol?
Consuming sugar cane alcohol increases the risk of developing alcohol-related health conditions and can lead to worsened mental health and alcohol dependence.
5. How much alcohol is in cane alcohol?
Cane alcohol ranges in alcohol by volume, as it is used in many products and industries. Cane alcoholic beverages are similar to other distilled spirits ranging from 30-50% ABV. Pure cane alcohol can range from 90-98% ABV, which is used as a base for other distilled spirits or to make perfumes and disinfectant products.
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