This Mistake Turns Sugarcane Juice Into 'Poison': Street Vendors Are Doing This Every Day!

New Delhi: Sugarcane juice is a favorite beverage during the summer season. Its cool and refreshing taste offers much-needed relief from the scorching heat, making it a truly enjoyable drink. During the summer, you will often find roadside juice stalls serving up chilled sugarcane juice.

While sugarcane juice is indeed beneficial for health when consumed in moderation, there is one specific mistake that can turn it into a toxic substance. You might be surprised to learn that this mistake is being committed at most juice stalls. Through an Instagram post, Dr. Brajpal Tyagi explained how sugarcane juice can become no less than poison if it is packaged and served in polybags or plastic pouches. Let's explore this in greater detail.

How Does ​​Sugarcane Juice Turn into 'Poison'?

If you have ever had sugarcane juice packed to go from a roadside stall, you may have noticed that they typically fill it into polybags—that is, thin plastic pouches. Dr. Brajpal points out that this is the very mistake that renders your sugarcane juice toxic. Even if the sugarcane juice remains in a polybag for a mere 5 to 10 minutes, it becomes toxic. Its color changes, becoming darker and thicker, and foam begins to appear on the surface—signs indicative of contamination.

Does Sugarcane Juice React with Polybags?

Doctors explain that single-use plastic bags are commonly used to package juice, and these bags leach both microplastics and fungal spores. These materials contain mycotoxins, which significantly increase the risk of fungal infections. Polybags react very rapidly with sugarcane juice, causing the juice to begin spoiling within just a few minutes. 

When is Sugarcane Juice Safe?

Dr. Brajpal explains that numerous studies have revealed that sugarcane juice reacts with every material—whether metal or plastic—except for glass. This means that if you store it in a steel glass or a plastic bottle, a chemical reaction begins to occur, and the juice starts to spoil within just a few minutes. This reaction accelerates even further, particularly during the summer months.

What Are the Risks of Drinking Sugarcane Juice Sold in Plastic Bags?

Several studies have revealed that sugarcane juice packaged in plastic bags contains various hazardous compounds—such as mycotoxins, neurotoxins, and aflatoxins—which contaminate the juice. Doctors warn that if you consume such juice regularly, it can adversely affect your intestines, liver, and other vital organs. Prolonged consumption may even lead to issues such as diarrhea and vomiting. Furthermore, in severe cases, it may even increase the risk of developing cancer.