Sugarcane juice is a popular beverage in areas of Asia, Africa, and India that is sweet and sugary. Some people even think it may assist with diabetes, which may surprise you.
This drink is being promoted as an all-natural beverage with numerous health advantages as it gets more popular. Sugarcane juice is suggested by traditional Eastern medicine as a treatment for kidney, liver, and other ailments.
This article explores sugarcane juice and if it’s a healthy choice for those with diabetes — or anyone who’s controlling their blood sugar.
What is juice from sugarcane?
A sweet, syrup-like liquid obtained from peeled sugar cane is called sugarcane juice. Street vendors frequently sell it, blending it with lime or other juices and pouring it over ice to create a delightful beverage.
It is processed to produce molasses, jaggery, brown sugar, and cane sugar.
In addition to being used to manufacture rum, sugarcane is fermented and used to make cachaça, a type of liquor, in Brazil.
Juice from sugarcane isn’t 100% sugar. It has the same amount of sugar as table sugar (sucrose), water, and zero grams of fiber. Actually, a large portion of the world’s table sugar comes from it.
Its high concentration of phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants in its raw form is the main explanation given by some for its supposed health advantages. Sugarcane juice keeps its vitamins and minerals because, unlike most sweet drinks, it is not heavily processed.
Its potential hydrating properties have also been investigated, given that it has trace amounts of electrolytes, including potassium. Sugarcane juice was found to be equally beneficial as a sports drink in enhancing exercise performance and rehydration in a small, earlier 2013 trial that involved 15 cyclists.
However, during exercise, it increased the blood sugar levels of athletes. Its carbohydrate content and capacity to replenish your muscles’ energy stores following exercise were the main factors contributing to its advantages.
Read Also: What distinguishes diabetes from hyperglycemia?
Summary
The liquid from sugar cane is pressed to create sugarcane juice. Although claims about its health advantages are not well-supported by clinical research, it is a source of antioxidants and other minerals.
Content of sugar
Sugarcane juice is nevertheless heavy in sugar and carbohydrates even if it offers a number of nutrients.
One-cup portions provide:
- Calories: 184
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Sugar: 50 grams
- Carbohydrate: 50 grams
As you can see, a mere 248 g has an incredible 50 grams of sugar, or the same as 12 teaspoons.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends 9 teaspoons of total sugar for males and 6 teaspoons for women per day, respectively. This is much greater than that amount. It is vital to examine the nutrition facts panel of a product since many sugarcane beverages contain added sugar on top of the sugarcane juice.
However, if you want fiber, it’s better to acquire it from plant foods than from sugary drinks. It is preferable to mix a powdered fiber supplement without added sugar with water if you want a beverage that is high in fiber. A decent quantity of fiber can also be found in smoothies, depending on the ingredients list.
Glucose is produced by your body from the carbohydrate sugar. Particularly if you already have diabetes or are at risk for developing it, certain high-carb foods and drinks may cause your blood sugar to rise too high. Therefore, it’s critical that diabetics closely manage how much sugar they consume.
Sugarcane juice will significantly affect your blood sugar levels despite having a low glycemic index (GI) and a high glycemic load (GL).
While GI does not account for the actual portion size of food consumed, Glycemic Load quantifies how certain food portion sizes affect your blood sugar levels rising.
Summary
Despite having a low glycemic index, sugarcane juice has a high glycemic load and a high sugar content. As a result, blood sugar is greatly impacted.
If you are diabetic, should you still consume it?
If you have diabetes, sugarcane juice is not a good choice, much like other high-sugar beverages.
The high sugar content may cause dangerously high blood sugar levels. So, it is recommended that people with diabetes stay away from this beverage.
Although preliminary research on sugarcane extract in test tubes suggests that its polyphenol antioxidants may help pancreatic cells produce more insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar, this information is not conclusive. It does not render it secure for diabetics.
If you still want a sweet beverage, you can think about adding some fresh fruit to your water to give it some natural sweetness.
Frequently requested inquiries
The following are some of the most common queries concerning diabetes and sugar cane juice.
Is sugarcane juice suitable for diabetics to consume?
Sugar cane juice’s high sugar content has the potential to dangerously elevate blood sugar levels. Diabetes sufferers are recommended to stay away from this beverage.
Cane sugar: Is it harmful to blood sugar?
When consumed in excess, all sugars—even the “healthy” kinds found in fruits and vegetables—can be harmful to one’s health. But naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and vegetables are usually considered “good” sugars. Because cane sugar is nutritionally identical to white table sugar, it is not recommended for use by those who have diabetes.
Which juice is beneficial for diabetics?
Fresh fruit and vegetables, especially those with a low GI like cucumber, berries, or carrots, can naturally sweeten and taste water for diabetics.
Summary
Sugarcane juice is not recommended for consumption by people with diabetes, even though some laboratory research suggests that it may have anti-diabetic properties.
Summary
A liquid made without refinement from sugar cane is called sugarcane juice.
It has a lot of antioxidants, however the sugar content is rather high. It is therefore a bad option for those who have diabetes.
Consider using unsweetened coffee, tea, or fruit-infused water in place of sugarcane juice. You may still enjoy the flavor of these drinks without raising your blood sugar levels.
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