Cactus water is the latest beverage to enter the natural
beverage market, along with other plant-based beverages such as coconut water
and aloe Vera juice.
Most
cactus water is made by squeezing sap from cacti or the bright pink fruit of a
cactus. For this reason, the water of the cactus is pink, and not clear.
This
drink is naturally low in calories and sugar, and is rich in nutrients and
antioxidants that promote health. In addition, it is usually marketed to
athletes because it contains electrolytes that contribute to hydration.
Cactus
water can also be used for skincare, and many beauty and cosmetic products
contain cactus water.
There are
varieties of brands of cactus water to choose from, and you can easily make
your own cactus water with cactus fruit and some common kitchen supplies.
This
article reviews cactus water, including its nutritional content, benefits, and
how to make it.
Nutritional composition
Because
it is made from the fruit of a cactus, cactus water contains a small amount of
sugar and some nutrients.
One cup
(240 ml) of cactus water contains the following ingredients (1):
- calories: 19
- protein: 0 g
- fat: 0 g
- carbohydrates: 4 g
- fiber: 0 g
- Magnesium: 4% of
Daily Value (DV)
- Potassium: 3% of DV
All
carbohydrates in sugar-free cactus water are natural sugars in cactus.
However,
some brands contain added sugars, so calories are higher.
Cactus
water also contains magnesium and potassium, two minerals that help manage
fluid balance, muscle control, and heart function. (2）。
In
addition, magnesium has countless other roles in the body, including supporting
immune and bone health, as well as reducing the risk of chronic diseases such
as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, many people do not get enough of
this mineral (3).
in
addition to these nutrients, cactus water also contains a variety of
health-promoting antioxidants found in cacti.
Summary: cactus water is low in sugar and calories, but some brands may contain added sugar. The drink also contains magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.
Advantage
Animal and test-tube studies have shown
that cactus water has many health benefits, although more research is needed to
fully understand its effects on humans.
Rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants
Cacti
contain a variety of antioxidants such as betaine, beta anthocyanins, and
aspirins, which have many health benefits. (4, 5, 6, 7）。
These
powerful compounds can help protect against cellular damage caused by harmful
free radical molecules (8).
Free
radicals are unstable compounds that people are exposed to through natural
biochemical processes, food, water, and air. at high levels, they can stress
the body and cause chronic inflammation, leading to conditions such as type 2
diabetes and heart disease (8).
Fortunately,
the antioxidants in cactus balls can neutralize these harmful compounds, and
they are also highly anti-inflammatory (8, 9).
Therefore,
drinking cactus water made from antioxidant-rich cacti can improve many health
indicators.
for
example, in a 2-week study of 22 men, supplementation with about two-thirds of
a cup (150 ml) of antioxidant-rich prickly pear juice per day improved muscle
recovery after exercise while lowering triglycerides, blood pressure, total
cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol (10).
May help heal stomach ulcers
One of the most promising benefits of
cactus is its potential to help cure stomach ulcers and treat a disease called
ulcerative colitis (UC), which is characterized by inflammation and ulceration
of the large intestine.
Some
studies have pointed out that supplementation with cactus juice slows the
growth of stomach ulcers in rats. these powerful anti-ulcer effects are thought
to be due to the antioxidant betaine (4, 11).
A
similar study in rats found that UC-induced intestinal damage was reduced after
supplementation with cactus juice. (11）。
However,
these benefits have not been observed in humans and more research is needed.
Skin benefits
Cacti
also have some benefits for the skin.
According
to some animal and test-tube studies, applying cactus ball extract directly to
the skin can help reduce damage from excessive sun exposure. (12, 13, 14, 15）。
in
addition, several rat studies have noted that cactus extract accelerates wound
healing and kills harmful bacteria. (16, 17, 18）。
in
addition, the cactus extract may help reduce the appearance of scars (19).
Other benefits
Cacti
have long been used as a natural remedy for diseases such as type 2 diabetes,
constipation, pain, and even hangovers. in fact, some animal studies support
these claims (7).
Cactus
water is sometimes touted as an antidote, and some animal studies have shown
that cactus can reduce liver damage caused by alcohol and other liver toxins. (20, 21, 22, 23）。
In
addition, cacti have been shown to lower blood sugar levels in rats with type 2
diabetes. (24, 25）。
in
addition, in animal and test-tube studies, cacti reduce constipation, improve
blood iron stores, relieve pain, and kill cancer cells. (26, 27, 28, 29）。
Many of
these benefits are due to the antioxidants in prickly pears (30).
However,
more human studies are needed to confirm these claims.
in
addition, much of this study was conducted using highly concentrated cactus
extracts, so any effects of cactus water on health would not be as strong.
Summary: cactus
is rich in antioxidants that may help cure stomach ulcers and promote skin health,
among other potential benefits. However, more human research is needed.
Precautions
Cactus
water is usually made from cactus fruit. Because cacti have laxative effects,
cactus water may cause diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems in some people
(31).
In
addition, high doses of cactus balls may lower blood sugar levels. Therefore,
their combination with hypoglycemic drugs can lead to hypoglycemia, a dangerous
condition characterized by low blood sugar levels. (24, 25）。
Conversely,
some cactus water drinks contain added sugar. Excessive added sugar in the diet
can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease (32, 33).
You
should limit your intake of added sugars to less than 10% of your daily
calories, although limiting them to 5% or less is ideal. Try to choose a cactus
water drink that does not contain added sugar (34).
if you
have any concerns about cactus water, discuss them with your healthcare
provider.
Summary: cactus
water may have laxative effects on some people. if you are taking hypoglycemic
medications, you should avoid drinking plenty of cactus water as it may
excessively lower your blood sugar levels.
How to make cactus water
Making cactus water at home is a fairly
simple process. you will need the following ingredients and items:
- a pan
- a piece of
shimmer
- a knife
- water
- 1-2 cactus
fruits
- sugar or
sweetener (optional)
If you
are harvesting fresh cactus fruit, you will need to wear skin gloves to protect
your hands from the long, pointed thorns on the cactus leaves.
However,
you can find cactus fruits at a local grocery store or farmers' market.
Follow
these steps to make cactus water at home:
- Wash the cactus fruits thoroughly and
cut off their ends, then cut them in half in diameter, without cutting
them completely in half.
- Bring the water
to a boil in a saucepan and add the fruit to the boiling water. cover and
simmer over low heat. let the fruit simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or
until soft. remove them from the water and let them cool.
- Place the muslin
in a bowl or cup. the flesh of the cactus bulb is scooped from the peel
into a muslin cloth.
- Allow the liquid
in the fruit to filter through a chiffon cloth and collect in a bowl or
cup. you can squeeze the cheesecloth to speed up the process.
- Alternatively,
you can add sugar or sweetener to the cactus juice. if concentrated cactus
water is too strong for your taste, simply water it.
Cactus
juice should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How
much water you can extract from cacti depends on their size and how soft they
become during cooking.
Summary: just
use cactus fruit and some common kitchen tools to easily make cactus water at
home. your homemade cactus water can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
Cactus
water is made from the fruit of a cactus.
It is
low in calories and sugar while providing nutrients and antioxidants.
Given
the antioxidant content of cactus water, it may help treat inflammation,
stomach ulcers, and many other problems.
if
you're looking for a unique, health-good natural drink, you can buy unsweetened
cactus water – love this product – in select stores and online.