According to a latest study from the University of Birmingham, sugar may provide a natural, clean and cost effective alternative to the usual treatments for wounds.
Sugar is believed to be sterilized, packed and sealed, but otherwise is normal granulated sugar. Besides, when more amount of sugar is applied, the results appear to be faster. Supposedly, decreased bacterial activity has an additional positive side-effect, as it kills any unpleasant odors. These unpleasant odors may possibly come along with severe wounds.
“Sugar prevents the microorganisms growing by absorbing water and therefore preventing bacteria from feeding off the tissue underneath. The sugar has higher osmolarity, so it is drawing water from the wound and from the microorganisms. By maintaining high osmolarity between the wound and the sugar, the microorganisms are prevented from multiplying,†explains lead author of the study, Moses Murandu.
An increased vascularity (blood supply) to the wound seems to occur as it balances the fluid to the wound. This increased vascular response could possibly bring in oxygen and nutrients thereby keeping the wound moist which assist the cells to grow.
Since the beginning of the year, Moses is believed to have treated approximately 21 patients at the Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. He seems to be very excited about the possibility of the healing effects of sugar.
Moses further stated that, “The reduced cost is a great advantage to using sugar to heal wounds. Sugar is readily available and relatively cost-effective. Medicines are so expensive that the implications of having a treatment like this that can be used in the developing world is hugely exciting.â€
The findings of the study have revealed that sugar seems to act in order to restore health wounds which have earlier failed to heal with conventional medicines.
Furthermore, the findings showed that sugar treatment in fact appears to function well on diabetic patients and does not impact on insulin levels at all.
