Sugarcane Juice For Diabetes: Sugarcane juice is sweet and delicious, and is very much liked in African and Asian countries apart from India. Apart from being natural, it can also benefit health in many ways. It has been used in many civilizations for the treatment of liver, kidney, and other diseases. Dirty juice is popular because it is tasty, so can diabetics drink it? Let us find out how safe sugarcane can be for them.
It is usually drunk by mixing lemon juice. Which brings a lot of relief, especially in the summer season. It is processed to make molasses, brown sugar, and cane sugar. Sugarcane juice is not completely sugar, it consists of 70-75% water, 10-15% fiber, and 13-15% sugar.
Since sugarcane juice is not processed, it is a good source of phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants. It is because of the presence of these antioxidants that it is considered healthy. It also contains potassium, which is known for its hydrating properties. 15 cycling athletes were tested with sugarcane juice. It was seen that this juice improved their performance and rehydrated the body. However, at the same time, the blood sugar levels of the athletes also increased.
How much sugar is in sugarcane juice?
Many nutrients are found in sugarcane, but there is also a high amount of sugar and carbs.
In one cup i.e. 240 ml of sugarcane juice:
Calories: 183
Protein: 0 grams
Fat: 0
Sugar: 50 grams
Fiber: 0–13 grams
One cup of juice contains 50 grams of sugar, which is equal to 12 teaspoons. According to the American Heart Association, men should avoid consuming more than 9 teaspoons a day and women should avoid consuming more than 6 teaspoons of sugar.
Sugar is a type of carb that our body breaks down into glucose. Some high-carb foods and drinks can cause blood sugar levels to rise excessively, especially if you have diabetes, posing a risk. That's why diabetic patients have to take care of their sugar intake.
Although the glycemic index of sugarcane juice is low, the glycemic load is still high. This means that it increases your blood sugar level.
So should you drink sugarcane juice if you have diabetes?
Just as it is advised to avoid sugar-rich drinks for diabetes, similarly it is considered better to stay away from sugarcane juice. The high sugar content in it can increase your blood sugar levels. So don't drink it.
Nutrients in sugarcane juice are many, but at the same time, the amount of sugar is also very high, which can further increase the blood sugar level in diabetes. You should drink tea, coffee, or other drinks without sugar.
