Sugarcane Juice: Benefits, Nutritional Facts, & More

What is more refreshing than iced sugarcane juice on a hot sunny day? If you are in India, sugarcane juice is usually served with a dash of lime and ginger. The sourness of the lime and the kick of ginger add a refreshing twist to the sweetness of sugarcane.  While we talk about its taste, you must be wondering about its health benefits and nutritional value? You will be surprised to know the numerous amazing health benefits of raw sugarcane juice. This article explores what best in health you can get from the tasty sugarcane juice.

Nutritional Value of Sugarcane Juice

Sugarcane juice is mostly known for its sweet taste. It is because it is rich in glucose and gives instant energy boost. Along with sugar or glucose, it has a basket full of nutrients packed within.  Taking a sneak into the nutritional content, one serving or 240 ml of sugarcane juice contains:

• 250 Calorie
• 50 grams of Carbohydrates
• Nil saturated fats, cholesterol, and proteins

Fresh sugarcane juice is the purest form available for consumption, apart from raw sugarcane stick pumped with additional minerals and vitamins including:

• Iron
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
• Folic acid (Vitamin B9)

The nutritional value of sugarcane juice per 100 ml is listed below: 

Nutrient	Value per 100g
Energy	24 Kcal
Carbohydrates	13 mg
Calcium	7 mg
Iron	0.1 mg
Magnesium	3 mg
Sodium	43 mg
Zinc	0.02 mg
Copper	0.021 mg
Selenium	0.8 mg

Super 20 Health Benefits of Sugarcane Juice

Raw sugarcane extract is much more beneficial and healthy than refined sugars. Ganne ka ras, as they say in India, has a number of hidden benefits, apart from the freshness and uplifting effect of its juice.

1. Shot of instant energy

If you are braving the scorching sun and are short of energy, the roadside stalls of sugarcane juice will feel nothing short of an oasis to you. It is an instant energizer. With a high amount of glucose and carbohydrates it can immediately pump up your energy. The simple sugars are easily and readily absorbed by the body to help replenish your drained glucose levels. 

2. Balances the pH levels

Maintaining the pH balance is essential for a healthy digestive system and good digestion. This is what sugarcane juice does. It can neutralize the acids due to its alkaline nature, making digestion easier for the body. 

3. Improves Liver Function

One of the natural treatments for liver-associated conditions, such as jaundice is sugarcane juice. The alkaline nature it has neutralizes the excess bile juices and acids of the stomach while strengthening liver functions.

4. Helps combat Cancer

The excess mineral content, alkaline nature, and flavonoids (natural sugars) ward off cancerous cells. Evidence suggests it can exert anti-cancer activities against a range of cancer-causing cell lines.

5. Aids digestion

The potassium in sugarcane juice helps neutralize stomach acids and improves the secretion of digestive juices required for digestion. It helps ease digestion and prevent stomach infections. 

6. Benefits Diabetics

Despite the sugar content and the instant glucose spike it can produce, sugarcane juice has a low glycemic index with the potential to inhibit the frequent rise of blood glucose. 

7. Alleviates Body Inflammations

Diluted sugarcane juice with lime and ginger can help alleviate infections caused due to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), urinary tract infections, prostatitis, and stones in the kidney. It has the power to block excess bleeding (hemorrhage) and heal wounds.

8. Bone and Teeth Development

Chewing a raw sugarcane stick can strengthen your teeth. The calcium content in the sugarcane juice can ensure the development of proper skeletal systems, bones, and teeth. 

9. Maintains Kidney Health

No saturated fats, low cholesterol, and low sodium content in sugarcane juice add to its benefits of ensuring good kidney health. 

10. Maintains Electrolyte Concentrations

High minerals and water content in the sugarcane juice is a natural electrolyte. It can help compensate for the loss of water and minerals in the body. Hence, it acts as an excellent detoxifying agent. 

11. Hydrating Agent

It is considered an effective hydrating agent, as compared to any other sports drinks (having natural sugars) or even plain water. 

12. Helps in Reducing Weight

Sugarcane juices are often touted to increase weight and have high calories. Myth busted! Sugarcane juice can boost your metabolism and moderate your weight gain, especially during pregnancy. The major weight loss benefit of sugarcane juice is that it can minimize your cholesterol, as it has no cholesterol and no saturated fats that can add up in your body. 

13. Helps in Conception and Pregnancy

Ginger with sugarcane juice can ease your pregnancy symptoms- morning sickness and strengthen the immune system for a healthy conception. The iron and folic acid in sugarcane juice play an effective role in ensuring proper growth and development of the baby.

14. Maintains good oral health

If you are experiencing bad breath or tooth decay, sugarcane juice and eating raw sugarcane sticks can help eliminate the issue. The rich minerals- calcium and phosphorus, help build tooth enamel, leading to teeth strengthening. Hence, ensuring to keep the tooth decay and associated bad breath at bay.

15. Reduces Acne

Sugarcane juice has the natural ability to reduce acne and other skin woes. It contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)- glycolic acid which aid in revitalizing skin tissues and improving skin cell turnover. It can exfoliate the skin, therefore effectively reducing acne breakouts. It can also be applied as a face mask with Fuller’s earth (Multani mitti).

16. Immunity Booster

Packed with vitamin C, sugarcane juice boosts the body’s immune system and helps fight infections including flu, sore throat, and cold. 

17. Rich Source of Antioxidants

With good antioxidant properties, sugarcane juice can help neutralize the free radicals developed as a result of oxidative stress. Thus, improving overall health. 

18. Keeps infections at bay

The antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, and immunity-boosting properties of sugarcane juice can help fight many infections of the kidneys, urinary tract, reproductive system and can also help in reducing its symptoms. 

19. Diuretic properties

Sugarcane juice has the potential to eliminate excess salts and water from the body while improving kidney functioning. 

20. Treats Anemia

If you leave the sugarcane juice as it is, it can turn dark. This is because of the high iron content in it. The iron-filled sugarcane juice can invariably improve the hemoglobin levels in the body, preventing, and treating low hemoglobin conditions or anemia.  Warning bells: The sugar content in sugarcane juice is natural, essential sugar. It is always advised to have it in moderation or check with your nutritionist or fitness specialists on its ways and means of consumption. 

Additional 10 Health Benefits of Sugarcane Juice 

• Lower Stress— Besides all the listed health benefits, sugarcane juice can also help lower stress and provide a sense of relief to the body. Its naturally sweet and refreshing flavor helps relieve stress and anxiety and promotes relaxation. Sugarcane juice benefits overall health by lowering stress. 
• Improve Skin Health— The antioxidant compounds in sugarcane juice fight against radicals and chemicals that deteriorate skin cells. They also help delay aging. Sugarcane juice significantly reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and other aging symptoms, improving healthy and glowing skin. 
• Regulate Blood Sugar Levels- Sugarcane juice has a low glycemic index, which in return helps regulate blood sugar levels. When consumed in moderation, sugarcane juice improves overall health and prevents random energy damage. It also satisfies cravings without gaining weight. 
• Rich in Nutrients- The nutrient content in sugarcane juice benefits overall health without side effects or weight gain. Because of the rich nutrient content, there are benefits to eating sugarcane. This helps improve overall health and maintain it as well. 
• It may act like jaundice- Sugarcane juice benefits from cleansing the liver, effectively treating jaundice. It can remove toxins from the body. Better to consult a doctor before drinking sugarcane juice, as it can cause serious health complications. 
• A Remedy for Cough and Cold— Sugarcane juice's natural electrolytes replenish lost fluids in case of dehydration. It is an effective remedy for combating cough and cold, especially during pregnancy. 
• Support Healthy Blood Pressure- The high levels of potassium and magnesium in sugarcane juice benefit by improving overall cardiovascular health. A prominent benefit of sugarcane juice is that it supports healthy blood pressure levels during pregnancy. Remember to consult your doctor (gynecologist) for better understanding. 
• Gives a temporary mood boost- Have a glass of sugarcane juice if you feel low. It can boost serotonin levels, providing a minute mood boost. Additionally, dips in serotonin levels can cause you to crave sugar, especially when you are low. As a result, this led to a drop in blood sugar levels, affecting the benefits of sugarcane juice. 
• Relieves UTI Pain and STD— It is an unknown fact, but sugarcane juice does help relieve UTI pain and STDs. Its antimicrobial properties help ease the pain and discomfort associated with these medical conditions. 
• May Help Battle Cancer— Vitamins and antioxidants, such as phenolics and flavonoids, can protect the body from free radical damage. This is a natural mechanism for slowing down the aging process and preventing the formation of cancer cells. 

Tips to Enjoy Sugarcane Juice 

Sugarcane juice is a happy, healthy meal in itself. However, here are a few simple and healthy ideas to enhance its overall health benefits. 

• Always choose freshly extracted sugarcane juice from a reliable supplier. 
• Avoid adding more sugar or additives and enjoy the natural sweetness of sugar cane juice. This will enhance its overall health benefits. 
• ‌Dilute sugarcane juice with water or a dash of lemon juice. It gives a cool twist along with the sugarcane juice benefits. 
• Combine it with other natural fruit juices like pineapple to enhance the benefits of sugarcane juice.
• To grab all the health benefits of sugarcane juice, enjoy it in moderate form. 
• Enjoy a glass of sugarcane juice in between meals. This can help you stay hydrated and maintain focus throughout the day. 

4 Side-Effects of Sugarcane Juice 

Like every other food item, sugarcane juice has certain side effects. Nonetheless, sugarcane juice has more health benefits than the side effects. 

1. Studies found that storing sugarcane juice for a long time before drinking can cause it to oxidize and become hazardous. 
2. Sugarcane juice contains policosanol, which can disrupt sleep cycles and lead to signs like weight loss, nausea, insomnia, and headaches. Policosanol is a long chain of alcohol present in sugarcane. 
3. Research observed that people who consume sugarcane juice in large amounts experienced adverse effects. 
4. Sugarcane juice may affect cholesterol levels and thin the blood. Therefore, people using blood thinners should avoid consuming it, as it can cause serious bleeding problems. 

FAQs 

Ques1 What are the benefits of sugarcane juice for a female? 

Ans1 Sugarcane juice has a plethora of benefits for a female. It includes relieving menstrual discomfort, boosting immunity, and aiding digestion. Besides, sugarcane can also be beneficial during pregnancy by controlling weight and neural tube defects in babies.

Ques2 Can sugarcane juice benefit weight loss? 

Ans2 Yes, sugarcane juice can benefit in weight loss. It is low in GI and contains natural sweeteners, aiding digestion and weight management. 

Ques3 Are there any benefits of sugarcane juice for hair? 

Ans3 Yes, sugarcane juice can benefit hair by promoting hair growth, reducing hair fall, and strengthening hair follicles. 

Conclusion

Although sugarcane juice is known for its high calorie or sugar content, the unknown fact is that it is diabetic friendly, a potent anti-cancer, and an anti-inflammatory agent. The antioxidant and immune-boosting properties can keep one away from infections of the internal systems, alongwith preventing tooth decay and skin problems.  Power-packed with minerals and vitamins, sugarcane juice exhilarates the electrolytes in the body, making it a popular, detoxifying, and hydrating agent. It is a potential remedy to treat and prevent anemia. Nevertheless, too much sugar in your body in a single go, can pose health concerns. Having small quantities or consulting a dietician or a nutritionist to know your body-acceptable proportions of sugarcane juice is often recommended.