While sugarcane juice is low in glycemic index, it does have an extremely high glycemic load - which directly affects your blood sugar levels
Summers are synonymous with dehydration, and so it is important to keep yourself hydrated with enough electrolytes. While water can do that job perfectly well, you would also want something delicious. According to experts, you need to replenish fluids that are lost through sweating and fatigue.
And so, sugarcane juice ticks all the boxes as it contains natural sugars that provide a quick energy boost. However, it is not as healthy a drink as it seems.
Why is sugarcane juice a health hazard?
Sugarcane juice is freely available across the country at every nook and corner - where vendors sit with a juice machine serving it to you along with a generous load of ice, some masala, a dash of lemon, and some mint leaves—all of which are great for your health. However, nutritionists say sugarcane juice is also high in sucrose, which dangerously spikes your blood sugar levels.
And so, those with type-2 diabetes or prediabetes should completely avoid drinking this beverage. A few reasons why you should not be consuming sugarcane juice include
Increases the risk of diabetes
While sugarcane juice is low in the glycaemic index, it does have an extremely high glycaemic load—which directly affects your blood sugar levels. Consistent high sugar levels cause various complications that affect your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
Increases the risk of cavities in teeth
Those with issues in their dental cavity should not drink sugarcane juice daily, as large amounts of natural sugar give rise to bacteria in your mouth. According to doctors, sugar is like a magnet for bad bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbents—both of which feed on the sugar you eat and form dental plaque, a sticky, colourless film that forms on the surface of the teeth.
If the plaque does not get washed away by saliva or brushing, the environment in your mouth becomes more acidic and cavities start to form.
Obesity
Sugarcane juice is extremely high in calories, and so, its overconsumption can cause weight gain and obesity as it leads to a caloric surplus and blood sugar fluctuations.
Causes digestive issues
Sugarcane is packed with policosanol, which leads to indigestion and upset stomach. Drinking too much sugarcane juice can also cause vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, gas, and diarrhoea—all gastric issues along with extreme tummy ache. Doctors say the juice's high fibre content can also make you ill. If your digestive system is already weak, it is better to drink sugarcane juice only after consulting your doctor.
What happens when you drink sugarcane juice moderately?
According to experts, sugarcane juice is loaded with many health benefits—but it should be had in moderate amounts so that it can have a positive effect on your health.
It helps in the prevention of cancer—especially breast and prostate cancer. It is also among the best natural remedies for liver-related diseases like jaundice. Sugarcane juice is alkaline in nature and helps maintain electrolyte balance in the body.
