Who wouldn’t love a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice? It’s sweet and tasty and gives you a boost of energy while hydrating your body. But wait a minute! A myth says drinking sugarcane juice at night is bad for you. There’s not much scientific evidence to support this claim, though. And we’re not buying it until we see some hard proof!
In this article, we will bust this myth open and understand the misconceptions, if any. So, grab a glass of sugarcane juice, sit back, and get ready to discover whether you can safely enjoy this sweet elixir before hitting the sack.
Does drinking sugarcane juice at night has health benefits?
Yes, drinking sugarcane juice at night may help combat insomnia. The reasons why drinking sugarcane juice at night help improve sleep quality are:
✅ Hydrates the body
Dehydration can cause disrupted sleep. Sugarcane juice before bed is a natural source of hydration, which can improve your sleep. Further, it provides your body with essential nutrients that may promote relaxation and reduce the risk of sleep disruptions.
✅ Contains beneficial compounds that aid sleep
Sugarcane juice is high in magnesium. It also contains compounds such as tryptophan, one of the eight essential amino acids, and octacosanol, an antioxidant.
While octacosanol has beneficial properties, including anti-hypoxia, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fatigue, which reduce stress and promote better sleep, tryptophan boosts serotonin levels, making you fall asleep sooner and sleep longer.
Magnesium reduces central nervous system excitability, thus helping regulate your sleep.
✅ Aids in digestion
A calm stomach means a relaxed body and a happy mind. Potassium in sugarcane juice helps contract stomach muscles, aiding in churning and digesting food. Further, potassium also provides an alkalinising effect, which can alleviate acid reflux and heartburn. Therefore, by promoting stomach health, sugarcane juice may help you fall asleep faster and have a more restful night’s sleep.
More Reads On Sugarcane
- Would You Believe The Naturally Sweet Sugarcane Is Actually Healthy?
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- Sugarcane Juice – The Don’ts
Side effects of drinking sugarcane juice at night
While drinking sugarcane juice at night may improve your sleep, it is also important to be aware of side effects.
❌ May cause blood sugar spikes
Of particular concern is the impact on blood sugar levels. Drinking sugarcane juice before bedtime can cause a sudden increase in blood sugar, especially in individuals with diabetes or prediabetes, which may interfere with falling asleep and disrupt the overall quality of sleep.
❌ May cause weight gain
Sugarcane juice is nutrient-dense. But, it is also high in calories, which may lead to weight gain when consumed in excess.
❌ May cause an upset stomach
Some studies show that policosanol found in sugarcane juice may be beneficial in reducing cholesterol levels. However, policosanol may cause an upset stomach leading to bloating, gas, and diarrhoea, particularly in people with sensitive stomachs when consumed in excess.
❌ Harms your teeth
Sugarcane juice is high in natural sugars and can contribute to dental problems such as tooth decay if consumed frequently without proper oral hygiene.
Therefore, drinking sugarcane juice in moderation and being mindful of these potential side effects is essential.
So, what is the best time to drink sugarcane juice?
No doubt, sugarcane juice is a great beverage with numerous health benefits. However, the timing of consumption plays a crucial role in reaping the full benefits of this drink.
Experts tout late morning or just before noon as the best time to drink sugarcane juice, as it acts as a morning energy boost and provides a natural energy source to move through your day. Further, the side effects of drinking it at bedtime can be dodged.
Another best time to drink sugarcane juice is post-workout since it replenishes lost fluids and electrolytes.
Mid-day fatigue can be a common issue for many people, especially when their energy levels drop in the afternoon. One way to combat this is by drinking sugarcane juice, which contains a combination of glucose and fructose that the body can rapidly absorb to provide a quick energy boost.
Does Ayurveda recommend drinking sugarcane juice at night?
According to Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, drinking sugarcane juice at night is not recommended. This is because sugarcane juice is considered heavy to digest and can disrupt the body’s natural balance, leading to health issues. Instead, Ayurveda recommends consuming sugarcane juice during the day to reap all its health benefits.
To enhance its benefits, Ayurveda suggests adding other beneficial ingredients to sugarcane juice, such as ginger, lemon, or mint. These ingredients can further aid digestion and provide additional health benefits.
Our verdict
The belief that drinking sugarcane juice at night is harmful is partially true, as it can have both positive and negative effects on the body. On the one hand, sugarcane juice contains beneficial compounds that may improve sleep quality for people who suffer from insomnia and stress. On the other hand, however, drinking it at night can also lead to adverse effects such as blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and an upset stomach.
In Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine, sugarcane juice is typically recommended for consumption during the day to reap its maximum health benefits.
If you do not have diabetes or a history of stomach issues, drinking sugarcane juice at night may not have any negative consequences. However, if you are susceptible to these issues, it is best to enjoy sugarcane juice earlier in the day when the sun is still shining. Moderation is key, as excessive consumption of sugarcane juice can have adverse health effects.
In summary, drinking sugarcane juice at night can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the individual’s health status, and Ayurveda recommends consuming it during the day to maximise its benefits.
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