Sugarcane juice is a refreshing drink which is mostly consume by people during summers. During the summer months, when one is exhausted and drenched in sweat, sugarcane juice stands out as a universally loved beverage that offers instant physical relief and cooling. However, this natural drink is not necessarily beneficial for everyone.
Many of us consume sugarcane juice without a second thought, simply assuming it is 'natural and healthy.' Yet, consuming sugarcane juice in excess or at the wrong time can actually prove detrimental to the body. Sugarcane juice can pose health risks for women with certain conditions. Weight loss and hormonal health expert Leema Mahajan of 'Get Fit with Leema' in Gurgaon explains on Instagram who should avoid this summer beverage and why it might act as a 'slow poison'.
1. Diabetes: If you suffer from diabetes, you should strictly avoid drinking sugarcane juice or at the very least, never consume it without consulting your doctor. This is because a single glass of sugarcane juice typically contains approximately 40 to 50 grams of sugar. Furthermore, sugarcane juice has an extremely high 'Glycemic Load' (ranging from 20 to 25). This implies that consuming this juice can cause blood sugar levels to spike rapidly a situation that can be extremely dangerous for individuals with diabetes.
2. Weight Gain or Obesity (Weight Loss): If you are troubled by increasing weight and are attempting to lose weight, you should avoid drinking sugarcane juice. A single glass of sugarcane juice typically contains between 150 and 180 calories. Since this juice is essentially 'liquid sugar,' drinking it does not induce a feeling of fullness. Consequently, you tend to feel hungry again and again, which can lead to rapid weight gain.
3. Fatty Liver: When the sucrose present in sugarcane juice enters the body, it is converted into glucose and fructose. When we consume fructose in excessive quantities, it begins to accumulate in the liver in the form of fat. This can exacerbate the problem of fatty liver. Therefore, women who already suffer from fatty liver issues should strictly avoid drinking sugarcane juice on a regular basis.
4. Kidney-Related Problems: If you suffer from any kidney-related issues, you should strictly refrain from drinking sugarcane juice without consulting a doctor. The primary reason for this is that a single glass of sugarcane juice typically contains approximately 250 to 300 milligrams (mg) of potassium. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, this potassium is not effectively eliminated from the body; instead, it begins to accumulate in the bloodstream. Such elevated levels of potassium in the body can have severe adverse effects on both your cardiac function and your muscles. Therefore, individuals suffering from kidney ailments should, as far as possible, avoid consuming sugarcane juice.
5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS – A Digestive Disorder): IBS is a highly distressing disorder affecting the digestive system. For women who suffer from this condition, consuming sugarcane juice can prove to be problematic. The primary symptoms associated with this include abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, gas, and frequent bouts of diarrhea or constipation (or both). Sugarcane juice contains an exceptionally high concentration of sugar, which creates an 'osmotic effect' within the intestines. Simply put, this sugar draws water into the intestines, thereby increasing the risk of sudden bloating, gas, or diarrhea. Individuals who frequently suffer from digestive upset or those with a 'sensitive stomach' would be better off avoiding sugarcane juice altogether.