During pregnancy, women have various cravings. However, what you consume when pregnant influences your baby’s health. Therefore, it is important to make sure your pregnancy craving won’t get in the way of the healthy progression of pregnancy. If you are pregnant and desperately craving something refreshing to drink? Find everything here about drinking refreshing sugarcane juice during pregnancy.
Of course, plain water alone will not help you navigate your pregnancy. The majority of women develop sweet teeth during pregnancy. Therefore, you will also crave to drink something sweet and refreshing. Sugarcane juice is one of the best choices to energize and refresh you.
But how safe is drinking sugarcane juice during pregnancy? Does sugarcane juice cause miscarriage? This post tells you whether sugarcane juice is safe to drink during pregnancy, as well as its health advantages and precautions to consider when drinking it.
Is Sugarcane Juice Nutritious?
Sugarcane juice, as the name suggests, is derived from sugarcane. Therefore, it contains all of the nutrients found in this perineal long grass (that falls in the family of bamboo). According to Healthline, 70 to 75 percent of sugarcane juice is water, around 15 percent sucrose, and the remaining 10 to 15 percent fiber.
To eat sugarcane, you need to chew it until you extract the juice and then spit it out the remnants. One of the best ways to consume sugarcane is in the form of refreshing sugarcane juice. According to the source, sugarcane is high in vitamins A, C, and B vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6.
Related Reading: 13 Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
Sugarcane is also enriched with magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and several amino acids. It is also rich in antioxidants. Sugarcane juice, which contains all of these essential elements, is highly advantageous to pregnant women.
Is It Safe To Drink Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy?
Yes, sugarcane juice is safe to drink while pregnant. Because of its low glycaemic index, unlike the other juices, sugarcane juice is not a big No during pregnancy However, sugarcane juice, if consumed in excess can wreak havoc on the blood glucose levels of women suffering from gestational diabetes.
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As a result, pregnant women with gestational diabetes should limit the consumption of sugarcane juice. If you have gestational diabetes and crave sugarcane juice, check with your doctor.
Otherwise, sugarcane juice is extremely healthy and safe to consume throughout pregnancy.
8 Health Benefits Of Drinking Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy
Sugarcane juice is highly nutritious since it holds a lot of important minerals and vitamins that are very good for you during pregnancy.
Here are some of the advantages of sugarcane juice during pregnancy:
1. Helps tackle morning sickness
Drinking sugarcane juice during pregnancy’s first trimester provides relief from morning sickness to some extent. According to research, adding a few drops of ginger juice to a glass of sugarcane juice helps fight off the symptoms of morning sickness. Also, a small amount of sugar cane juice two to three times a day is found to alleviate the fatigue associated with morning sickness.
2. Helps fights infections
During pregnancy, women are prone to infections. Therefore, it is mandatory to include vitamin and mineral-rich foods in the pregnancy diet. Sugarcane juice not only offers nourishment but is also rich in antioxidants.
It is an excellent source of Vitamin C. Therefore, drinking sugarcane juice during pregnancy fights bacterial, fungal, and viral illnesses. If you have a cough, throat infection, or cold while pregnant, drinking sugarcane juice can be beneficial.
Just add some lime juice and a pinch of black salt into a glass of sugarcane juice. This drink is very effective in soothing an irritated throat. This is unquestionably better than taking over-the-counter medications.
3. Helps to prevent unnecessary weight gain
Excessive weight gain is one of the major concerns of pregnant women. Women undergo rapid weight gain during the third trimester. Drinking sugarcane juice during pregnancy 3rd trimester may help to stop unnecessary weight gain.
Sugarcane contains polyphones that help to enhance metabolism and thereby helps maintain healthy weight gain. Drinking too much of it, on the other hand, might bring about the opposite effect.
4. Helps to alleviates constipation and heartburn
Most pregnant women have to handle constipation at some point in time. Sugarcane juice is well known for its laxative property. Therefore, drinking sugarcane juice can provide some much-needed relief. It can also save you from various stomach infections.
Sugarcane juice is alkaline. Therefore, it provides relief from acidity and heartburn that is quite common during pregnancy.
5. Helps deal with UTI during pregnancy
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common issue during pregnancy. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is characterized by severe discomfort and a burning feeling when peeing. Sugarcane juice is high in natural anti-oxidants and numerous essential minerals, which aid in preventing/ treating urinary tract infections during pregnancy.
Sugarcane contains diuretic characteristics that aid in the removal of excess salt and water, therefore improving kidney function. Consuming sugarcane juice with lime and coconut water has been shown to alleviate the burning feeling produced by UTI.
6. Aids in fetal growth
Sugarcane juice contains essential nutrients and vitamins that aid in fetal growth and development. Furthermore, the juice’s small levels of folic acid or vitamin B9 may help to prevent neural birth abnormalities such as Spina bifida.
7. Boosts immunity and energy level
Sugarcane juice is high in antioxidants. It contains a lot of vitamin C. Besides, sugarcane juice contains minerals that aid in the maintenance of bilirubin levels. This enhances liver function. As a result, consuming sugarcane juice when pregnant helps to improve the immune system.
Pregnancy affects your hormones, and it is normal to feel fatigued throughout pregnancy. Consuming sugarcane juice provides rapid energy and aids in fatigue relief. Sugarcane juice is great for providing a quick burst of energy since the sucrose in sugarcane is easily absorbed by the body thereby providing instant energy.
8. Beneficial for skin and teeth
The hormone levels change significantly during pregnancy. As a result, occasional bouts of acne and other skin problems are common during this time. Also, if you have acne, it tends to worsen during pregnancy. The major reason is an increase in estrogen levels.
Regularly consuming sugarcane juice might aid in the treatment of acne. This is because sugarcane juice contains glycolic acid and alpha hydroxy acid, both of which aid in combating acne. Both topical application and consumption of sugarcane juice are equally beneficial when it comes to treating acne.
Pregnancy can increase a woman’s susceptibility to oral problems. Bad breath and dental rot are two frequent pregnancy concerns. Sugarcane juice includes calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, minerals that aid in the formation of dental enamel and hence prevent tooth disease.
Sugarcane juice is highly nutritious, and the nutrients in it are quickly absorbed. As a result, regular intake of sugarcane juice aids in the relief of bad breath, which is one of the signs of nutritional insufficiency.
How Much Sugarcane Juice Not Too Much During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, pregnant women should not consume more than one glass of sugarcane juice each day. They must also supplement their diet with additional vitamins and minerals from fresh fruits and vegetables rather than fully relying on this natural drink.
What Are The Side Effects Of Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy?
There are no significant side effects associated with drinking a limited amount of pure sugarcane juice. However, excessive consumption of sugarcane juice can bring about many issues.
Likewise, it is important to make sure the juice is prepared in hygienic conditions. The risk of contamination is high if you have juice from roadside vendors. Similarly, packaged sugarcane juice that is processed or refined can adversely affect blood sugar level, weight gain, and heart health during pregnancy.
Related Reading: 10 Drinks To Avoid During Pregnancy
Sugarcane has blood-thinning properties, another reason to limit its intake during pregnancy. Policosanol present in sugarcane can upset the stomach and also could bring about dizziness and insomnia.
Excessive consumption can also raise triglycerides in the blood and havoc cholesterol levels. Headaches and weight loss are other side effects of sugarcane juice during pregnancy.
Precautions To Take When Drinking Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy
Sugarcane juice is safe to drink while pregnant. However, you should take the following precautions when consuming sugarcane juice:
- Consult your doctor before drinking sugarcane juice daily while pregnant
- Avoid drinking sugarcane juice from street vendors since it might cause food poisoning or stomach illnesses
- It is advised that you consume modest amounts of sugarcane juice. Sugarcane juice contains a lot of sugar, and drinking too much of it can lead to a variety of health problems
- Consume fresh sugarcane juice whenever possible. However, if you choose packaged sugarcane juice, be sure it is free of added sugar and chemicals
- It is mandatory to drink freshly made juice within half an hour to reap its benefits. This is because sugarcane juice spoils quickly at room temperature. You may store it in the refrigerator to extend its freshness for a few more hours
Conclusion
Not only the sugarcane juice is a healthy alternative to soft drinks or aerated drinks. It is used to make at least a dozen additional products, such as jaggery, molasses, rum, biofuel, and ethanol.
During pregnancy, sugarcane juice offers several health advantages. However, this does not suggest that you consume an excessive amount of it. Before including this tasty and refreshing drink in your pregnancy diet, it is suggested that you check your doctor.