Then there’s the added sugars in some of these products, which could be harmful to people with diabetes. Specifically, the authors wrote that it doesn’t appear to have a significant effect on glucose or insulin. A review published in May 2019 in the journal Medicina even notes a lack of evidence for the use of prickly pear products to mitigate type 2 diabetes risk or to manage the disease. 2. Cactus Water May Help Reduce High Blood Sugar in People With DiabetesĪnd just how much cactus water would a person with diabetes need to drink to garner those touted benefits? “There’s not enough research, and the dose is not determined,” says Dr. Prickly pear also contains betalains, anti-inflammatory pigments known for their pink hue and antioxidant properties. The registered dietitian-nutritionist queried refers to a study published in Food & Nutrition Research in August 2018, in which healthy volunteers ate prickly pear cactus fruit for two weeks and had statistically lower pro-inflammatory markers than a control group of people who didn’t eat the fruit. The Antioxidants in Cactus Water May Reduce InflammationĪccording to an article posted by the Mayo Clinic, prickly pear cactus contains antioxidants that may lower inflammation. But here are some of the theoretical perks of the ingredient. Scientific research doesn’t support most of the proposed benefits of cactus water. Meanwhile, 1 cup of Caliwater, according to the USDA, contains:ĥ Potential Health Benefits of Cactus Water Two popular companies, Caliwater and True Nopal, offer small amounts of carbohydrates, as well as the electrolytes magnesium and potassium.Īccording to the USDA, 1 cup of True Nopal contains: The minerals in your water will depend on the brand you choose. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 cup of coconut water contains the following: And that's a reasonable claim: According to the U.S. That said, some cactus water brands claim to contain less than half the calories and sugar in coconut water.
Coconut WaterĬactus water is sometimes compared to coconut water, thanks to its naturally occurring electrolytes - minerals such as potassium that are needed for multiple bodily functions, according to Cedars-Sinai. While most people buy it at the store, it is possible to make cactus water yourself (more on that later).
Prickly pears originated in Mexico, and the Aztecs used the plant medicinally, as the University of Chicago Illinois Heritage Garden notes. What Is Cactus Water?Ĭactus water is sourced from prickly pear cactus pads, also called nopals, and fruit according to a May 2020 article in Food Reviews International. Here’s what you need to know about cactus water before you head to the store to stock up. “They could be healthy - or could be adulterated and not beneficial,” says Ann Marie Chiasson MD, MPH, the director of the fellowship in integrative medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine in Tuscson, Arizona. Still, not all commercial cactus waters are created equal. “Cactus water is hot in the functional beverage space, just like coconut water, because it’s a plant-based beverage that contains electrolytes and antioxidants,” says Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, the Chicago-based creator of the podcast Nourishing Notes. But pretty soon, “cactus water,” a beverage with trace minerals and a natural fruity flavor, may also be on everyone’s radar, available at your local health food store next to the coconut water and sea moss gel. When most people think of cactus, a prickly plant probably comes to mind.
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