Sugar has been used in African folk medicine for centuries Sugar may be more effective in treating wounds than antibiotics, according to new research published by a British university. A study by the University of Wolverhampton has found that granulated sugar poured directly into bed sores, leg ulcers and even amputations promotes healing where other treatments like antibiotics may have failed.
The research is headed by Moses Murandu, a senior lecturer in adult nursing, who based the study on folk medicine used in his native Zimbabwe.
His findings show that the treatment works because bacteria needs water to grow, so applying sugar to a wound draws the water away and starves the bacteria of water. This accelerates the healing process by preventing the bacteria from multiplying.
62-year-old Alan Bayliss is one of the patients to have undergone the treatment and has called it “revolutionary.” He underwent an above the knee amputation on his right leg due to an ulcer at the in January 2013. As a result of Murandu’s sugar treatment, a leg cavity wound that previously failed to heal by standard dressings, has now been drastically reduced in just two weeks.
“It has been revolutionary. The actual wound was very deep - it was almost as big as my finger. I was a little sceptical at first but once I saw the sugar in operation and how much it was drawing the wound out, I was impressed,” said Bayliss.
Bayliss is not the only success story as so far 35 patients receiving treatment have seen their condition improve, with no adverse effects reported, compared with 16 patients who did not have the treatment.
Murandu will now continue the sugar treatment trial in three hospitals across the West Midlands, before it is approved for nationwide use.
“It is very pleasing for me to see the results. I believe in the sugar and the nurses and doctors who see the effects are beginning to believe in it too,” said Murandu.