Drinking Sugarcane Juice in Pregnancy

Women crave different things during pregnancy. All of a sudden you will want to eat something that you never liked before. What you eat during pregnancy impacts the health of your baby; hence, it is important that you maintain a healthy diet during pregnancy. If you have a sweet tooth, then you will probably enjoy drinking fresh fruit juices, but can you drink sugarcane juice when pregnant? All other juices are recommended during pregnancy, but whether sugarcane juice can be consumed during pregnancy or not is not known to many. Here, we shall discuss if sugarcane juice can be consumed during pregnancy or not, its health benefits, and precautions to take while drinking it.

What Does Sugarcane Contain?

Sugarcane juice is made from sugarcane, which is a perennial tall grass. Sugarcane is usually grown in warm climates and is mostly found in Southeast Asia. This plant is mainly processed to make sugar. However, one of the best ways to consume it is in the form of refreshing sugarcane juice. Sugarcane is loaded with Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and Vitamin C. It also contains calcium, magnesium, and iron. Sugarcane juice is safe and extremely healthy for a pregnant woman. However, if you are suffering from diabetes or gestational diabetes, you should refrain from drinking sugarcane juice during pregnancy. Otherwise, sugarcane juice is very good and safe to drink during pregnancy.

Can You Drink Sugarcane Juice While Pregnant?

Yes, you can have sugarcane juice in pregnancy. It is totally safe to consume it when pregnant. But do consult your doctor if you have gestational diabetes.

Nutritional Benefits of Sugarcane Juice

Let us look at the nutritional benefits of drinking sugarcane juice during the pregnancy period:

1. Rich in Proteins

Sugarcane is rich in proteins, and proteins are vital for the baby and mother to be during pregnancy.

2. Instant Energy Booster

Sugarcane contains sucrose that gives the body an instant and the right amount of energy to kick-start your day and normalise the release of glucose in the body to regain lost sugar levels.

3. Fights Cavities and Bad Breath

Sugarcane juice is loaded with minerals like calcium and phosphorus that strengthens the enamel of the teeth and protects it against decay. In fact, the nutrients present in sugarcane juice help fight bad breath that can occur due to nutrient deficiency.

How Is Sugarcane Juice Prepared?

Sugarcane juice is not only very healthy and delectable but also very easy to prepare. The sugarcane stalks are crushed through a manually operated juicing machine. The juice obtained is strained. Mint, lemon juice, ginger and ice are added to enhance its flavour.

Health Benefits of Drinking Sugarcane Juice in Pregnancy

Sugarcane is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals and, thus, very beneficial for you during pregnancy. Here are some sugarcane juice in pregnancy benefits that you can derive from consuming this tasty drink:

1. Helps Relieve Constipation

Constipation is one of the major problems faced by most pregnant women; consuming sugarcane juice during this time may help. Drinking sugarcane juice during pregnancy can provide relief from constipation and including it in your daily diet can also save you from various stomach infections.

2. Fights Infections

Your pregnancy diet should include foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Drinking sugarcane juice not only provides you with nutrition, but it also contains antioxidants, which helps in fighting against bacterial, fungal, or viral infections during pregnancy.

3. Keeps Cold and Cough at Bay

If you are suffering from a cough or cold in pregnancy, then consuming sugarcane juice may help. This is surely a better remedy rather than consuming over-the-counter medicines.

4. Balances Bilirubin Levels

Right amount of bilirubin levels are essential for the better functioning of your liver. Consuming sugarcane juice on a daily basis keeps bilirubin levels in check.

5. Boosts Immunity

Pregnancy takes a toll on your hormones and you may feel sick and tired. Drinking sugarcane juice when you are pregnant can strengthen your immune system and keep you healthy.

6. Keeps Weight Under Control

Gaining excessive weight is a major concern of pregnant women. Sugarcane contains polyphones, which helps in speeding up the metabolism and keeps your weight in check. However, drinking too much of it can have the opposite effect.

7. Helps Tackle Morning Sickness

Sugarcane juice provides relief from morning sickness to an extent. You can add a few drops of ginger juice to overcome the symptoms of morning sickness.

8. Helps Deal With UTI’s

UTI or urinary tract infection is a common problem in pregnancy and it can be an extremely painful and uncomfortable experience. Drinking sugarcane juice can help you battle a urinary tract infection in pregnancy.

9. Low Glycemic Index

Sugarcane juice has a low glycemic index, which makes it ideal for consumption in pregnancy. Pregnancy can drain you and can make you tired and exhausted. Consuming sugarcane juice gives you instant energy and also helps overcome tiredness.

10. Makes Your Skin Glow

Sugarcane juice contains riboflavin, which is beneficial for healthy skin. Vitamin B in sugarcane juice can also give you long and lustrous hair.

11. Helps Cure Acne

Due to hormonal imbalance during pregnancy, you may get occasional bouts of acne. Drinking sugarcane juice on a regular basis can help cure acne. You can also apply sugarcane juice and fuller earth’s face pack to cure acne.

12. Good for Dental Health

Pregnancy can make you prone to dental issues and problems. Sugarcane juice contains calcium and magnesium, which are good for dental health during pregnancy and will keep any dental problems at bay.

How Much Sugarcane Juice Can You Drink Per Day in Pregnancy?

Pregnant women should not drink more than one glass of sugarcane juice in a day. During pregnancy, the diet should be varied in food, energy, and nutrients for the development of the foetus.

Precautions to Take When Consuming Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy

Sugarcane juice is safe to consume during pregnancy. However, it is suggested that you exercise the following precautions while drinking sugarcane juice:

1. Hygiene is necessary at all times, and even more, during pregnancy. Make sure you buy sugarcane juice from a hygienic place. Refrain from drinking sugarcane juice from street vendors, as it may lead to food poisoning or stomach infections.

2. It is recommended that you take moderate amounts of sugarcane juice. Sugarcane juice has high sugar content and may cause various health complications if consumed in more than the required amounts.

3. Refrain from consuming sugarcane juice if you have diabetes or gestational diabetes.

4. Consult your obstetrician before you include sugarcane juice in your daily diet.

FAQs

1. Is It Safe to Drink Stored Sugarcane Juice in Pregnancy?

Always try and drink fresh sugarcane juice as it may spoil afterwards. If you are purchasing it from a store drink, check the ingredient list and avoid products containing artificial ingredients.

2. Does Sugarcane Juice Lead to Miscarriage?

No, the sugarcane juice is safe to drink and does not cause miscarriage.

Sugarcane juice has immense health benefits for you during pregnancy. But it does not mean that you drink too much of it. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before adding this delicious and refreshing drink in your pregnancy diet.

References/Resources:

1. M. Nisha, K. Chandran, R. Gopi, V. Krishnapriya; NUTRITIONAL AND THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF SUGARCANE AND ITS PRODUCTS; semanticscholar.org; https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/NUTRITIONAL-AND-THERAPEUTIC-BENEFITS-OF-SUGARCANE-Nisha-Chandran/c6ee290bea2930d5f6ca1fb048fcf2edf4e35a89

2. Chewing Sugarcane Production: An Approach to Combat Malnutrition and Poverty; fscluster.org; https://fscluster.org/sites/default/files/documents/chewing_cane_prsentation_final_fsc_com.pdf

3. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus; diabetesjournals.org; https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/26/suppl_1/s103/21729/Gestational-Diabetes-Mellitus

4. Raw Sugarcane Juice: The Next Big Health Trend?; jewworldorder.org; https://www.jewworldorder.org/raw-sugarcane-juice-the-next-big-health-trend/

5. U.S. Kadama, S.B. Ghosha, Strayo De, et.al; Antioxidant activity in sugarcane juice and its protective roleagainst radiation induced DNA damage; researchgate.net; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234059251_Antioxidant_activity_in_sugarcane_juice_and_its_protective_role_against_radiation_induced_DNA_damage; February 2008

6. Amandeep Singh, Uma Ranjan Lal, Hayat Muhammad Mukhtar, et. al; Phytochemical profile of sugarcane and its potential health aspects; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4441162/

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