Is it Safe for Diabetics to Take Sugarcane Juice? It is asked most commonly when people with diabetes ask which type of beverages they should take or they should refrain from taking. Diabetes prevents consumers from having so many foods and substances and considering that sugarcane juice is a sweet drink there comes curiosity. In this article here, an attempt has been made to elaborate on the pros and cons and whether it is healthy for diabetic patients to take sugarcane juice or not.
Recognition Diabetes
Types of Diabetes
Before delving into the specific effects of sugarcane juice on diabetes, let’s briefly differentiate between the two main types of diabetes: which are grouped into two types they include Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is where the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-manufacturing cells in the body particularly the pancreas to such an extent that it stops producing any insulin. That is why those who have type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections at least so that their levels of blood glucose can be regulated.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is characterized by insulin resistance whereby the target organs of the hormone do not respond properly to the hormone. This can in turn result in high levels of blood sugar and other nutritional deficiency disorders.
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The Nutritional Profile of Sugarcane Juice
Sugarcane juice is made from crushed sugarcane where the liquid part of the cane is filtered out. It is packed with virtually all the nutritional commodities in terms of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins ( Vitamin C and B complex vitamins), and minerals (Iron, calcium, and magnesium among others).
Is Sugarcane Juice Safe for Diabetics?
Now, the big question is: Sugarcane juice contains a high amount of sugar and thus it might not be safe to consume for people with diabetes. Now let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of this system.
Benefits of Taking Sugarcane Juice
1. Natural Sweetness: Sugarcane juice is sweet and this is quite fulfilling especially when one is looking for a drink with no added or refined sugars.
2. Rich in Antioxidants: It includes antioxidants whose function is to fight free radical activity together with inflammation, a common feature of diabetes.
3. Hydration: Diabetes patients should drink a lot of water and sugarcane juice will help with this
There are some disadvantages and they include the following:
High in Sugars: Being natural, sugarcane juice is still rich in natural sugars, therefore, one should not take too much of it as this might cause high levels of glucose in the blood.
Low in Fiber: Juicing of sugarcane minimizes fiber that is contained in whole sugarcane and which if consumed helps in slowing down the absorption of sugar.
Caloric Content: Sugarcane juice contains a lot of calories added to the fact that it has natural sugars. Diabetics should also have a consideration of the type of calories they take.
Tips for Consumption
If you decide to enjoy sugarcane juice, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Moderation: Taking them in freest is recommended for a diabetic patient to prevent a high surge in their blood glucose level.
Pairing: Possibly, consumption of sugar cane juice should be accompanied by protein or fiber-containing foods to reduce the effects on blood sugar levels.
Freshness: Choose raw mature sugarcane juice that does not contain any extra sugars or sweeteners.
Conclusion
Therefore, whether or not to consume sugarcane juice for patients with diabetes is a matter of some consideration. Even though sugarcane juice contains some micro-nutrients and antioxidants, it is very high in fructose and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. However, if you decide to pamper yourself, portion control and combination with other nutrients are the buzzwords. However, Nutri-Co’s famous slogan is still valid – ‘always consult your doctor or registered dietitian before making any change.