Sugarcane Juice – Benefits, Nutrition, Disadvantages
There’s nothing better than a chilled glass of sugarcane juice on a hot summer day. But, have you wondered what are the benefits of sugarcane juice? Sugarcane, a grass plant that can be found in 36 varieties, has no fats and is a 100 percent natural drink.
An 8-ounce serving, approximately 240 ml of sugarcane juice (with no additives) contains 98kcal. It has zero cholesterol and small amounts of fat, fiber and protein. It also contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
You would think that this sugar-rich drink is a popular summer drink that keeps you hydrated. However, it has numerous health benefits but we’ve rounded up 10 of them for you.
Nutrition Value of Sugarcane Juice
One serving (28.35 grams) of sugarcane juice contains.
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 98 |
| Protein | 0.3 grams |
| Fat | 0.5 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 22.8 grams |
Summary
Though sugarcane juice is considered to be healthy, it is high in carbohydrates and sugar. It can spike blood sugar levels and thus should be consumed in moderation.
10 Health Benefits of Sugarcane Juice
1. Gives you a shot of instant energy
There’s a reason sugarcane juice sells at most roadside kiosks in summer.
It’s the best way to energize yourself and ensure you don’t experience dehydration. The simple sugars in the juice are easily absorbed by the body and are used to replenish sugar levels.
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2.Enhances liver function
Sugarcane juice is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and helps support the health of vital organs such as the liver.
Read more: Fatty Liver Diet – Essential Guidelines to Follow
Studies find sugarcane juice is alkaline in nature, it helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body.
3. Help the body fight cancer
Studies have shown that the plant polyphenols in sugarcane juice have a high antioxidant and anti cancer activity. It’s good to make sugarcane juice a regular part of your diet.
4. It eases the digestive system
Among other benefits of sugarcane juice it also is exceptional for people suffering from digestive distress.
Read more: 7 Healthy Foods to Improve Digestion
The potassium in sugarcane juice balances the pH levels in the stomach. Drinking sugarcane juice also keeps one hydrated and helps with regular bowel movements. It also helps prevent stomach infections.
5. Helpful for people with diabetes
Though the high sugar content in sugarcane juice may make diabetics wary of consuming this juice. But, in moderation, sugarcane juice can benefit diabetics, the natural sugar has a low glycemic index that prevents frequent spikes in blood glucose levels.
Studies also reflect that sugarcane contains various polyphenols that help in better managing diabetic conditions and also offer antioxidants to the body.
Read more: Is Sugarcane Juice Good for Diabetes?
6. Maintains kidney health
Being a natural zero-cholesterol, low-sodium food, with no saturated fats, sugarcane juice helps to keep the kidneys healthy.
7. It alleviates pain associated with UTIs
If consumed in a diluted form, with lime juice and coconut water, sugarcane juice can help reduce body inflammation by increasing your fluid intake and help manage symptoms better, like urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and prostatitis.
8. Aids in the development of bones and teeth
Back in the day, chewing on a sugarcane stick used to be a regular pastime for young children and adolescents.
Apart from keeping them occupied, the calcium-rich benefits of sugarcane juice also ensures proper development of the skeletal system, bones, and teeth.
9. Keeps bad breath & tooth decay at bay
Experiencing bad breath linked to tooth decay? Sugarcane juice can be your saving grace.
Sugarcane is rich in minerals, including calcium and phosphorus, and also helps build tooth enamel and strengthen teeth, ensuring they are prone to decay. It also overcomes bad breath caused due to the deficiency of these nutrients.
10. Can help cure acne
Topical use of sugarcane juice has the ability to help reduce and cure skin problems such as acne. Since sugarcane juice contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid, it increases cell turnover.
HealthifyMe Note
The high sugar content of sugarcane juice may cause lots of people to avoid consuming this natural summer drink. However there are many studies that show a lot of health benefits of sugarcane juice making it a healthy beverage even for diabetics when consumed in moderation.
Moderation is the key here. Choose only pure sugarcane juice without any added preservatives and flavours. One can certainly consume it regularly and reap its health benefits.
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is just to disperse knowledge and share awareness. It does not intend to replace medical advice by professionals. For further information please contact our certified nutritions Here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is it good to drink sugarcane juice daily?
A: Drinking sugarcane juice daily has several health benefits. Being a natural low-cholesterol, low-sodium food, with no saturated fats, sugarcane juice helps keep the kidneys in top shape. The high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese makes sugarcane juice alkaline in nature. The presence of flavonoids helps the body fight off cancerous cells, especially prostate andbreast cancer. The calcium-rich benefits of sugarcane juice also ensure proper development of the skeletal system and take care of issues related to them. It also is exceptionally good for people suffering fromdigestive distress. The potassium in sugarcane juice balances the pH levels in the stomach, facilitates the secretion of digestive juices, and keeps the system on track. It also helps prevent stomach infections.
Q. What happens when we drink sugarcane juice?
A: Sugarcane has the highest sucrose content. So this natural supply of sucrose in sugarcane gives your body just the right amount of energy and normalises the release of glucose in your body to regain lost sugar levels. It also fights fatigue by hydrating the body.
Q. What is the best time to drink sugarcane juice?
A: The best time to have a glass of sugarcane juice is right after being out in the sun for too long as it is an instant energiser and hydrates the body with all necessary nutrients. You may also have sugarcane juice after workout sessions for the same reason.
Q. Which is better, coconut water or sugarcane juice?
A: Coconut water can be consumed in its most natural form, without any processing, so will be preferred over sugar cane juice which requires processing.
Q. Is sugarcane juice good for urine?
A: Sugarcane juice has great diuretic properties. Consuming sugarcane juice eliminates toxins from your body that help prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones by ensuring the proper functioning of kidneys. Having sugarcane juice with coconut water and lemon juice is an excellent remedy for the burning sensations in the urinary tract.
Q. Does sugarcane make you fat?
A: Despite the fact that sugarcane is naturally sweet it does not contribute to weight gain. The sweeter in sugarcane, sucrose, is very healthy and is essentially required by the body to maintain the sugar level in the body. Opposite to popular belief, sugarcane boost metabolism and hence, accelerate weight loss.
Q. Is sugarcane juice cold or hot for the body?
A: Sugarcane has a cold potency and is thus coupled with its instant energiser properties, it is an unparalleled drink for summers. It also hydrates the body and keeps stomach and urinary tract infections at bay.
Q. Why is lemon added to sugarcane juice?
A: Lemon has several benefits of its own. It detoxifies your body and boosts immunity. Adding lemon or lime to sugarcane juice amplifies the benefits of both. Further, the citrus content raises the pH level and reacts with the impurities to form insoluble calcium organic compounds that can be removed from the juice.
Q. Can sugarcane cause diabetes?
A: No sugarcane will not cause diabetes but people with diabetes should be a little cautious about consuming this juice too much. Some studies even suggest that when consumed in moderation, sugarcane juice can benefit diabetics. Natural sugar has a low glycemic index that prevents frequent spikes in blood glucose levels.
Q. Is sugarcane juice good for hair growth?
A: Drinking sugarcane juice is great for your hair as it promotes hair growth. Drinking sugarcane juice daily can result in healthy, smooth and lustrous hair.
Applying sugarcane juice to the scalp conditions the hair and improves its texture and nourishes the scalp thereby preventing dryness.
Q. Does sugarcane reduce belly fat?
A; Drinking sugarcane juice on a regular basis has been shown to promote the body’s natural cleansing process, thereby eliminating toxins from the system and boosting metabolism. This detoxification process can dramatically speed up weight loss.
Our Review Process
The entire review process entails levels of screening and evaluation by efficient groups of writers, editors and accredited medical experts. With the aim to establish long-lasting healthy lifestyle habits, we are committed to writing concurrent, medically backed and evidence-based articles. Read more
Our Editorial Team
By- Alpa Momaya, PG Dip in Dietetics
Latest Reviewed On: Apr 4, 2023
