Being pregnant implies a switch from an unhealthy diet to a healthy and balanced diet. With primary focus being the normal growth of the baby, moms-to-be take all the necessary precautions to have a comfortable and safe pregnancy. Nuts, fresh fruit juices, vegetable smoothies, and healthy soups are the best sources of a spectrum of nutrients. Fresh juices do not just provide the pregnant woman with quick energy, but also ensure easy supply of nutrients to the fetus. Sugarcane juice is one of them, though there are a lot of apprehensions about consuming the same during pregnancy.
Sugarcane juice is loaded with nutrients like vitamin B6, B5, B3, B2, B1, A, and C. In addition to these, it also has antioxidants, fiber, and traces of magnesium and calcium. It is safe for consumption during pregnancy unless you have gestational diabetes.
Below are the reasons why you should consider having a glass of sugarcane juice once or twice a week during pregnancy.
Benefits Of Sugarcane Juice During Pregnancy
1. Reduces Morning Sickness
The most annoying part of pregnancy is morning sickness, which most women dread about. Having sugarcane juice with a dash of ginger can help you get a relief from nausea and vomiting. Dividing a glass of the juice into smaller portions and having it throughout the day is recommended. This also keeps you hydrated and helps you maintain a consistent blood sugar level.
2. Prevents Constipation
The hormones are in full swing during pregnancy. One particular hormone, progesterone, relaxes the smooth muscles of the body, with gastrointestinal muscles being no exception. This leads to a slower movement of food through the intestines and ultimately, constipation. Sugarcane juice helps get rid of constipation by aiding digestion. It also prevents any infections that could arise due to the imbalance in the microbial flora of the intestine.
3. Enhances Liver Health
As mentioned above, the process of digestion gets affected during pregnancy. The liver plays a vital role in digestion, especially of fats. It needs to work in harmony with other organs for proper breakdown of the food. This is achieved by maintaining normal levels of bile juice produced by the liver. Sugarcane juice ensures the optimal production of bile.
4. Keeps A Check On Weight Gain
Piling up around 25–35 pounds during pregnancy is recommended for a woman with normal BMI. But, it is important to ensure that the weight gain is gradual and distributed across the three trimesters. A sudden weight gain could be an indication of issues like hypertension or gestational diabetes. The polyphenols present in sugarcane juice are the natural antioxidants which speed up the metabolic rate, keeping a keen check on your weight.
5. Relieves Fatigue
Your body is growing the baby throughout the 9 months and that takes a lot of effort, even when you are sitting idle. This leads to fatigue, which is one of the most common issues during pregnancy. As sugarcane juice has a low glycemic index, the sugar levels rise gradually after consumption. This ensures a constant supply of energy, unlike a sudden spike in the sugar levels which, upon reduction, lead to lethargy.
6. Boosts Immunity
The immunity levels are usually low during pregnancy. All thanks to the hormones again! It is, therefore, of prime importance to include the foods rich in antioxidants and vitamin-C during pregnancy. Sugarcane being rich in both regulates the immune health. Studies show the effectiveness of sugarcane juice in providing considerable relief from common cold and sore throat. As over the counter medicines are to be avoided during pregnancy, trying out this home remedy helps.
7. Cures Urinary Tract Infections
During pregnancy, your body is prone to infections due to decreased immunity. Urinary tract infection is one of them. It results when the bacterial flora in your vagina gets compromised due to the impact of hormones. Sugarcane juice treats this infection by flushing out the toxins and dead bacteria out of the body. When mixed with lemon or tender coconut, the benefits manifold.
Note Of Caution
- Ensure that the sugarcane juice is made in a hygienic set-up. Mere contamination of the water or an infected set up could lead to food poisoning or other stomach infections.
- Make sure you drink it immediately after making it. Long exposure to sunlight might change the taste which might not be too palatable.
- Drink the juice in moderate quantities. Since sugar is its main component, overconsumption could always have adverse effects.
In any case, it is best to discuss your consumption plan with your doctor before proceeding further.
