Cactus Water Actually Lives Up To The Hype

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Succulents are no longer just a window decoration obsession. People are drinking the juice of the prickly pear cactus fruit in their water, hoping to extract a multitude of benefits from this desert native. And despite our initial skepticism of yet another miracle water craze, cactus water just might live up to all the hype.

Cactus water made from prickly pear cactus supplies a solid amount of beta-carotene, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and calcium to those who drink it. It’s also an excellent source of taurine, an amino acid naturally produced in our bodies that serves as a very powerful antioxidant. And some manufacturers of this elixir say that it naturally has less sugar and fewer calories than the equivalent amount of coconut water, which has obviously been a hit among health-conscious consumers in the United States over the past few years.

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Consuming the juice of this plant is popular in Mexican and Mexican-American cultures. It’s used medicinally to lower blood sugar levels associated with type 2 diabetes, and it’s supposedly a solid hangover cure as well. According to a 2004 study, taking 1600 IU of the plant extract five hours before drinking can help reduce hangover symptoms the following morning thanks to the antioxidant betalains.

Our main caution is to note the difference between “cactus juice” and “cactus water.” Cactus juice is the concentrated extract from the plant that provides all the nutrients. You actually only need a few tablespoons a day to reap the benefits of the fruit. But cactus water is the juice (and puree) plus water, organic cane sugar and organic lemon juice, depending on the particular product you’re buying. So you’re getting the nutrients in a diluted form with a little bit of added sugar. It’s certainly not the end of the world, but the difference in potency is an importance distinction.

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An even bigger question for us is about the taste. The Caliwater brand describes it as an “earthy, berry flavor” that provides an “incredibly refreshing experience.” That sounds way better than what we’ve heard about drinking collagen, and the nutrients are just as likely (if not more likely) to benefit your complexion the way collagen drink brands claim. It’s also vegan, so no contest there.

“It’s too early to call prickly pear cactus a superfood, but it can be part of a healthy diet,” writes Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., for the Mayo Clinic. It’s hard to deny the benefits of its high fiber content, detoxifying antioxidants and skin-nourishing carotenoids. Just make sure you ease into consuming it on the regular since some people can struggle with some not-so-fun digestive side effects.