The sugarcane juice is made by crushing the fibrous interior of the stems of the sugarcane. This releases the plant's natural sap, which is then filtered by impurities and drunk as is. Sugarcane juice is drunk all over the world, although it is more common in Central and South America and in Southeast Asia. Sugarcane juice is naturally sweet and high in calories.
Calories and Sugar
An 8-ounce serving of raw sugarcane juice, which means it contains no additives, has approximately 180 calories. It does not contain fat, but it has 30 grams of sugars, all from sugar cane. However, while sugar in sugarcane juice is technically natural, because the juice has eliminated all dietary fiber, it is essentially sugar cane dissolved. Because of this, you should consider that sugar in sugarcane juice is similar to added sugar. The American Heart Association recommends that you limit your intake of added sugar from 6 to 9 tablespoons per day, since high sugar consumption increases your chances of obesity and weight gain.
Rich in fiber
Raw sugarcane juice contains 13 grams of dietary fiber per serving, which is 52 percent of the daily value of fiber. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most Americans only consume 10 to 15 grams of fiber per day, while the recommended intake is between 20 and 35 grams per day. A diet high in fiber can not only prevent or reduce the symptoms of constipation, but it can also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Contains natural antioxidants
Sugar cane juice is naturally rich in antioxidants, namely polyphenols. Polyphenols are a class of phytonutrients that provide protection to the cells in your body by defending them against free radicals and toxins found in the environment. A study published in 2014 in "Food Chemistry" found that while antioxidant levels varied in different varieties of sugarcane, all varieties showed high levels of antioxidants. However, the high degree of processing can destroy some antioxidants, so different varieties of sugar cane juice may contain varying amounts of antioxidants.
Using sugar cane juice
You can drink sugarcane juice as a naturally refreshing beverage, you can buy it in cans or bottles at ethnic and health food stores, or you can use it in the kitchen. The natural richness and sweetness of the liquid make it a rich base for soups and stews, especially in Asian cuisine. You can also use sugar cane juice instead of other liquids in coconut-based dishes, where it will help provide flavor depth, acting as a counterpoint to the coconut flavor.