Effects of Drinking Sugarcane Juice on Health and Skin- Nutrition and Health Benefits

The humble sugarcane juice that we often casually drink at home or outside, has more healing powers than we think! A glass of refreshing sugarcane juice is the best antidote towards exhaustion and strain in summers. At the same time, there are numerous uses of sugarcane that will surprise you pleasantly! You should know that it comes with zero fat and is 100% natural as well.

A Brief Note on Sugarcane Juice

Sugarcane juice is a delicious and syrupy liquid extracted from peeled sugar cane. Often sold by street vendors, it can be mixed with lime or other juices and served over ice, making it a delicious beverage.

The juice serves as the primary raw material for producing cane sugar, molasses, brown sugar, and jaggery. Moreover, it is utilised to make rum, while in Brazil, it is fermented to create a liquor known as cachaça.

Despite its sweet taste, sugarcane juice isn’t purely sugar. It consists of about 70%–75% water, 10%–15% fibre, and 13%–15% sugar in the form of sucrose, similar to table sugar. In its natural state, it also contains valuable phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants, which contribute to some potential health benefits.

Unlike many other sugary drinks, sugarcane juice retains its minerals and vitamins since it is not heavily processed. It also contains electrolytes like potassium, making it a subject of interest for the hydrating effects it has. In fact, a study conducted with 15 cycling athletes revealed that sugarcane juice is as effective as a sports drink in improving exercise performance and rehydration.

However, it is worth noting that the juice can cause a rise in blood sugar levels during exercise. Its benefits, on the other hand, are largely attributed to its carbohydrate content, which helps restore energy reserves in muscles after a workout.

Let us dig deeper to understand all about the health benefits of sugarcane juice and sugarcane nutritional value.

List of Nutrients in Sugarcane Juice Sugar cane Nutrition Facts

Before we proceed further, let us talk about the various health benefits of drinking sugarcane juice. Here is a list of nutrients contained in 1 glass of sugarcane juice:

• Natural Sugar
• Zero fat and Cholesterol
• Calcium
• Iron
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Protein
• Carbohydrates
• Vitamins A, B-Complex and C
• Flavonoids

A 240 ml serving will have roughly 250 sugarcane juice calories, making it a healthy and energetic drink for any season.

However, it is important to keep in mind that though the glycaemic index (GI) of sugarcane juice is low, indicating a slower rise in blood sugar levels compared to high-GI foods, it still has a high glycaemic load (GL). This means that despite the slow impact on blood sugar levels, the overall quantity of carbohydrates in sugarcane juice can still lead to a significant increase in blood sugar levels.

10 Biggest Health Benefits of Sugarcane Juice

Drinking sugarcane juice can have several positive impacts on your health. Here is a list of the top health benefits of consuming sugarcane juice on a regular basis: 

1. Provides Quick Energy – Sugarcane juice gives a burst of energy almost instantly upon consumption, helping fight dehydration and exhaustion. The natural sugar gets absorbed swiftly by your system and keeps blood sugar levels balanced at all times. 

2. Boosts Liver Functioning – Sugarcane juice is also helpful for enhancing liver functions and keeping ailments like jaundice away. This sweet juice of sugarcane has alkaline properties and can balance out electrolytes smoothly in the body. 

3. Combats Various Types of Cancer – Reports state that sugarcane juice can help in tackling various types of cancers including breast and prostate cancer. It has high potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese and iron content which enables this attribute.

4. It Boosts Digestion – Sugarcane juice is excellent for those who have digestive issues. The potassium content maintains pH balance in the stomach while stimulating digestive juice secretions and combating infections. 

5. Helps Diabetics –This may sound weird because sugarcane is rich in sugar and diabetics may dread to drink it. Sugarcane juice, if consumed moderately, may help diabetics since it can combat frequent blood glucose jumps.

6. Improves Kidney Health – Sugarcane juice has zero cholesterol and is low I sodium without any saturated fat content. Hence, it helps in keeping the kidneys in good condition.

7. Relieves Pain from UTIs/STDs –  Sugarcane juice is a fantastic aid in maintaining kidney health and can effectively prevent issues related to urinary tract infections (UTIs). To utilise its benefits for treating UTIs, you can simply consume a glass of sugarcane juice mixed with lemon and coconut water twice daily. Sugarcane juice may help in lowering inflammation in the body, especially if caused due to urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, sugarcane juice elevates protein levels within the body, which in turn helps prevent various kidney-related ailments such as UTIs, stones, prostatitis, and STDs. 

8. Ensures Healthier Teeth and Bones – Sugarcane juice goes a long way towards stimulating the growth of better bones and teeth, with its calcium and phosphorus content. So, feel free to drink this delicious juice for your bones and teeth.

9. It keeps Bad Breath Away – The dental benefits do not end there. Having bad breath is a common reason for public embarrassment for many. If you have a history of unpleasant breath, you should try the juice of sugar cane as a home cure. Sugarcane juice helps in combating bad breath while also helping prevent the possibilities of tooth decay. Thus, drinking sugarcane juice regularly is good for your oral health as well. 

10. Helps with Acne – Sugarcane juice has a magical impact on acne. It can cure such skin problems with its alpha-hydroxy acids or AHAs including glycolic acid. These help in enhancing cell turnover and exfoliation and these combine to lower the chances of acne. You can mix sugarcane juice with Multani mitti to form a paste and apply it to the neck and face areas. 

Is sugarcane juice good for weight loss?

The high fibre keeps you feeling fuller for longer while there are zero fats or cholesterol to increase weight. It thus helps with weight loss in the long run. The usage of sugarcane juice in pregnancy is also recommended since it is immensely healthy for the system. However, those with any diabetes should avoid consumption of the same during their pregnancies. 

Is Sugarcane Juice Good For Liver

The liver benefits greatly from sugarcane juice. It aids the liver’s proper functioning by removing liver-related disorders.

Ayurveda recommends the use of sugarcane juice with other herbal formulations to treat various liver ailments, as it helps with electrolyte balance, and thus, protects the liver from pushing its limits.

In addition to this, drinking sugarcane juice boosts the body’s immunity. The body’s robust immune system protects it from a wide range of diseases.

Is Sugarcane Juice Good for Skin Ageing?

Getting concerned about premature wrinkles? Such wrinkles can make your skin appear more mature than your age.

The good news is that sugarcane juice can help you delay the effects of ageing. It is an excellent option for radiant, soft, and moisturised skin because it contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic components.

You can mix sugarcane juice with a pinch of turmeric powder and apply this to your skin. The glycolic acid present in the juice can help with skin regeneration, and the turmeric can speed up healing. Many people add a few drops of vitamin E oil to this mixture to aid in natural moisturisation

Side Effects of Sugarcane Juice

While sugarcane juice offers numerous benefits, it’s important to note that excessive consumption can have adverse effects on your health. It is crucial to be aware of the potential side effects before fully indulging in this seemingly magical drink. Let’s explore the possible negative impacts that sugarcane juice can have on your body.

• Excessive caloric value
  Consuming excessive amounts of sugarcane juice can lead to a high intake of calories. This is because sugarcane contains natural sugars and is calorie dense. A single glass of sugarcane juice can contain around 269 calories, equivalent to consuming 100 grams of sugar. Therefore, it is advisable to limit your intake to one glass per day to manage your calorie intake effectively.
• Sugarcane Juice Becomes Toxic Quickly
  It is important to note that sugarcane juice can turn toxic if not consumed within an hour. As time passes, the juice undergoes oxidation, resulting in its potential toxicity. This can lead to various stomach-related problems and pose a risk to your health. Therefore, it is crucial to consume sugarcane juice promptly and avoid consuming it after the 15-minute mark.
• Side-effects from sugarcane’s own content
  There are some side effects of sugarcane juice owing to its policosanol content. It may lead to rare instances of stomach upsets, insomnia, headaches, dizziness and even sudden weight loss. It may lead to thinning of blood in some cases and also impact blood cholesterol levels.
• Increases the likelihood of infection
  This staple cuisine is frequently consumed right away from a roadside stall that has no or very poor sanitation. Due to a lack of sufficient cleaning of sugarcane sticks, many bacteria and pesticides may get into the juice, posing a major risk of infection and even food poisoning if consumed.

Therefore, you should always consume sugarcane juice in moderate amounts without resorting to excessive intake of the same.

The Bottom Line

Sugarcane juice is not only a delicious and refreshing beverage but also a powerhouse of nutrients that offer numerous health and skin benefits.

It is highly essential for a healthy and robust system. It not only takes care of dental health, but also improves liver and kidney health along with digestion. It is a natural and refreshing beverage that will give you tons of health benefits if you consume it on a regular basis. So, the next time you have a chance, sip on a glass of sugarcane juice and relish its goodness for your health and skin.