Objective To explore the effects of different concentrations of sugar-containing drinks consumed preoperatively on serum glucose, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and albumin levels, and postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms in patients at different time points of the perioperative period. Methods A total of 190 patients scheduled for elective spinal surgery under general anesthesia were divided into 3 groups based on the drinks (the warm boiled water group, the 5% glucose solution group, 12.5% glucose solution group) they consumed in the morning of the operation day. All the patients were asked to finish the drinks (350 mL) within 0.5 h. The changes in fasting serum glucose, CRP and albumin levels and their effects on postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms were compared among the 3 groups at different time points. Results There were significant differences in serum glucose levels among the 3 groups 1 hour before surgery, during the surgery, and 6 hours after surgery (P<0.01 for all). There were no significant differences in CRP and albumin levels among the 3 groups postoperatively (P> 0.05 for all), while there were significant differences in CRP and albumin levels within each group at all the time points (P<0.01 for all). Incidence rate of postoperative abdominal distension had significant differences among the 3 groups （P＜0.05）. Conclusion Oral sugary drinks before surgery can lessen perioperative stress levels. Among others, 5% glucose solution can reduce abdominal distension after surgery, and can be used as a pre-operative drink.