What are the harms of eating sugarcane at night?
Dec 09, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
The harms of eating sugarcane at night include affecting sleep quality, increasing the risk of obesity, damaging dental health,加重 gastrointestinal burden, and causing blood sugar fluctuations. At night, the body's metabolism slows down, making excessive consumption likely to have multiple negative health effects. If severe symptoms such as abdominal bloating, toothache, or a sudden rise in blood sugar occur after consumption, medical attention is recommended. Sugarcane has a high sugar content, and nighttime intake of excessive amounts
Eating sugarcane at night may lead to several health issues, including reduced sleep quality, increased risk of obesity, damage to dental health, added gastrointestinal burden, and blood sugar fluctuations. During nighttime, the body's metabolism slows down, making excessive consumption more likely to negatively affect health in multiple ways. If severe symptoms such as bloating, toothache, or sudden spikes in blood sugar occur after eating, medical attention is recommended.
1. Reduced Sleep Quality: Sugarcane is high in sugar. Consuming too much sugar at night can stimulate the nervous system and suppress melatonin secretion, making it harder to fall asleep and leading to lighter, disrupted sleep. Long-term consumption may result in circadian rhythm disorders.
2. Increased Risk of Obesity: Metabolic rate decreases at night. The sucrose and fructose in sugarcane are easily converted into fat, especially abdominal fat. Regularly consuming large amounts of sugarcane in the evening may lead to weight gain over time.
3. Damage to Dental Health: Sugar from sugarcane left in the mouth promotes bacterial growth, which produces acidic substances that erode tooth enamel. At night, saliva production decreases and oral cleaning ability weakens, increasing the risk of cavities and gingivitis.
4. Added Gastrointestinal Burden: Intestinal motility slows down at night. Sugarcane contains coarse dietary fiber; excessive intake may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing bloating, abdominal pain, or indigestion.
5. Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Insulin secretion decreases during nighttime. The monosaccharides and disaccharides in sugarcane are rapidly absorbed, leading to temporary spikes in blood glucose levels. This poses a higher risk for individuals with diabetes or those sensitive to blood sugar changes.
To minimize risks, limit sugarcane intake at night to no more than 100 grams, avoid eating within one hour before bedtime, rinse your mouth with warm water after consumption to maintain oral hygiene, and avoid eating on an empty stomach. It is safer to consume sugarcane in moderation during daytime hours when metabolism is more active.
