Sugarcane juice has many benefits but who should not use it?

Sugarcane is also known as the orange tree, belonging to the Poaceae family with the scientific name Saccharum officinarum L. Sugarcane juice is made by squeezing peeled sugarcane to get the juice, which can be mixed with lemon or other fruit juices and added with ice to create sugarcane juice with a better flavor. Sugarcane juice is also processed to make cane sugar, brown sugar, and molasses.

In Oriental medicine, sugarcane is also known as "Pulse Restoring Medicine", has a sweet, cold taste, is nutritious, greatly nourishes the spleen and yin, nourishes the blood and strengthens the tendons and bones, calms the nerves and stops wind, clears lung heat, benefits the throat, reduces phlegm and fire, stops vomiting, harmonizes the stomach, and reduces heat. Used to treat physical weakness, clears heat and moistens the throat, treats coughs, asthma, vomiting, panic, and mental instability.

According to modern medicine, sugarcane juice is very rich in nutrients. The main ingredients in sugarcane juice are sucrose, calcium, chromium, zinc, vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C), along with many phytonutrients, antioxidants, proteins and soluble fiber necessary for the body.

Sugarcane juice has many good effects on the body.

Thanks to its cooling, hydrating, electrolyte-supplementing and delicious taste, sugarcane juice has become a very popular drink on hot days. In addition to its thirst-quenching effects, sugarcane juice also has many health benefits, specifically:

Improve fatigue, restore health:Research has shown that sugarcane juice is a drink that improves exercise performance and rehydrates the body, eliminating fatigue. The carbohydrate content and the vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes in sugarcane juice help restore energy to the body after exercise.

Regulate blood sugar levels:Sugarcane juice is classified as a low glycemic index (GI) beverage, which helps prevent blood sugar spikes, so if consumed in moderation, sugarcane juice can be beneficial for diabetics. However, sugarcane juice also increases total blood sugar, so if consumed in excess, it will increase the body's blood sugar levels.

Improve dental problems:There are ancient books that say that drinking sugarcane juice by chewing has two benefits: One is that drinking a little at a time is more beneficial and two is “Exercise for healthy teeth”. Sugarcane is also rich in calcium and phosphorus which helps strengthen tooth enamel, strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Eating sugarcane also helps fight bad breath caused by nutritional deficiencies and bad breath caused by tooth decay, which creates an environment for bacteria in the mouth to grow.

Anti-aging, cancer prevention, liver detoxification:Sugarcane juice is a rich source of phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants, many vitamins, which can protect the body against cell damage caused by free radicals, help delay signs of aging, prevent cancer cells, especially prostate cancer and breast cancer. They also help protect the liver from inflammation and regulate skin pigmentation.

Prevent kidney stones, urinary tract infections:With an abundant amount of water, about 70-75% water, sugarcane juice helps prevent and eliminate kidney stones, supporting kidney function. The diuretic effect of sugarcane juice helps support the treatment of urinary tract infections and kidney stones. In addition, drinking sugarcane juice with lemon and coconut water has been studied to help improve the burning sensation in the urinary tract caused by certain diseases such as sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, kidney stones and prostatitis.

Sugarcane juice also helps strengthen the immune system, is good for the digestive system, prevents morning sickness, provides essential vitamins and minerals for the fetus, and beautifies the skin.

Although sugarcane juice brings many great benefits, it is necessary to drink sugarcane juice properly: Do not drink too much even if you are very thirsty, should only fluctuate under 240ml per day (about 2 glasses); should be used immediately after squeezing, do not leave sugarcane juice outside for too long as it can easily become contaminated.

The following people should not drink sugarcane juice or drink too much to ensure health.

- People with poor digestive systems: Due to its cold nature and high sugar content, people with weak spleen and stomach, poor digestion, and frequent bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, and cold stomach should not drink sugarcane juice regularly. If necessary, combine it with ginger to reduce the cold nature of sugarcane.

- People who are taking medication: do not drink sugarcane juice while taking supplements or anticoagulants to avoid drug interactions.

- People with diabetes.

- People who are on a diet and want to lose weight should drink sugarcane juice in moderation because sugarcane juice is high in energy. If you drink too much, it will lead to obesity because the body has excess energy.

Pregnant women should not drink too much sugarcane juice, it can easily cause infection or gestational diabetes, and should eat a variety of foods.