Is Sugarcane Juice Really Healthy Or Safe For Diabetes Patients?

Living with diabetes is not easy. You have to follow many dietary regulations and restrict foods that can spike your blood sugar levels. For this, you are usually supposed to avoid all sugary beverages like soda and carbonated drinks. However, does a natural beverage like sugarcane juice fall under this category? Let’s find out. 

What Is Sugarcane Juice?

Sugarcane juice is a sweet liquid pressed from peeled sugar cane. It is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in India, other parts of Asia and Africa. 

In its unprocessed form, sugarcane juice is an excellent source of phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants, which make it one of the healthiest natural beverages. It also contains several electrolytes, such as potassium that help hydrate your body, especially after an intense workout session.  

Is Sugarcane Juice Safe for Diabetes Patients?

Although sugarcane juice provides several nutrients and antioxidants, it is still rich in sugar and carbs. A 1 cup of sugar cane juice typically provides 50 grams of sugar, which is about 12 teaspoons. This is much higher than the recommended sugar intake for diabetes patients.  

In addition, sugarcane juice also has a high glycemic load, despite having a low glycemic index. While GI measures the rate at which blood sugar levels rise after eating or drinking something, GL measures the total amount of blood sugar that rises. Therefore, sugarcane juice may not spike blood sugar levels immediately, but it still will have an outsized impact on blood glucose levels. 

Are There Any Benefits of Sugarcane Juice for People with Diabetes?

It is true that sugarcane juice can adversely impact blood sugar levels. However, one cannot ignore the health benefits of sugarcane juice for diabetes patients.

• Rich in antioxidants, it helps fight oxidative stress, which plays a pivotal role in the development of numerous diabetes complications. 
• The anti-inflammatory properties of sugarcane juice help relieve inflammation, which is a risk factor for developing diabetes.  
• The glycemic index of sugarcane juice is low, making it a better choice in the category of sweet beverages. 

Should You Drink Sugarcane Juice if You Have Diabetes?

Based on the sugar content of sugarcane juice, it is best avoided if you have diabetes. People with severe diabetes or extremely high blood sugar levels should definitely refrain from having sugarcane juice. However, people who have controlled diabetes may have raw sugarcane juice in moderation sometimes to satisfy their sweet cravings. 

Since sugarcane juice has both advantages and disadvantages for diabetes patients, it is always best to consult your doctor before consuming it.  

References

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19704096/
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346008285_Glycemic_Response_of_Natural_Sweeteners_like_Sugarcane_Juice_Honey_and_Jaggery_in_Healthy_Individuals
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996922/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17123161/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24206679/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26009693/
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sugarcane-juice-diabetes