When it comes to keeping your health in check, water comes first. People are so used to water; they’ve even come up with water alternatives like coconut and maple water. But what about cactus water?

You heard that right, cactus water! Cactus water is a plant-based beverage made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.

Today, we’ll highlight how cactus water is the right choice if you're looking for a new way to get the necessary nutrition. Can it help with stomach ulcers? What about getting flawless skin? We’ll talk about all this AND more…

Helps Diabetes

Are you suffering from diabetes? Are you perhaps prediabetic? Well, listen up, cause this drink can make a huge difference in your life. For those of you who don’t know, cactus water is the newest addition to the natural beverage industry. The juice from the bright pink fruit of the prickly pear, or nopal cactus, is used to make cactus water. This is why it’s pink rather than clear.

The drink is naturally low in calories and sugar, and high in minerals and antioxidants. Traditional Mexican medicine has conventionally utilized prickly pear cactus to treat diabetes. In certain studies, single doses of nopal have been observed to lower blood glucose levels by up to 46%.

The fiber and pectin in prickly pear cactus can help your blood sugar by reducing sugar absorption in the stomach and intestine. It may help lower cholesterol levels and fight infections in the body. Studies have shown that certain cacti have anti-hyperglycemic and anti-diabetic effects, and are used in various traditional and alternative medicines across the world. Along with switching your regular water with cactus water, you can also try it as an alternative to coffee.

So Many Nutrients

Are chugging down too many sugary drinks? Well, it may be time to put down the soda, and say hello to cactus water! Cactus water has only a little bit of sugar and several nutrients. The vitamin C in this natural beverage accounts for 8% of your daily required value. You’ll be surprised to know that 330 ml of cactus water provides approximately 7 mg of magnesium. This is 2% of your daily requirement for the mineral. Cactus water is also rich in potassium.

The magnesium and potassium found in cactus water help fluid balance, muscle control, and heart function. Magnesium also serves a variety of additional functions in the body, such as boosting bone health and lowering the risk of chronic diseases. So many of us aren’t getting the magnesium we need.

Cactus water contains various health-promoting antioxidants present in prickly pear, in addition to these vitamins and minerals. It’s quite popular among athletes because it includes electrolytes that help with hydration.

Makes Hangovers Tolerable

Hungover from a crazy night of drinking? You might want to get a cactus water can. It’s just what you need for those miserable Sunday mornings.

Prickly pear cactus, according to an animal study, can help lower oxidative stress in the body produced by alcohol intake. In other words, it made the inebriated animal groups feel better after they had been exposed to ethanol.

For those of you who do not know, ethanol is present in all alcoholic beverages. Whether you drink beer, wine, or spirits, they all include ethanol. Ethanol is formed when fruits or grains are fermented to make alcoholic beverages.

We can't say that cactus water always completely cures your hangover– If only a drink had that kind of power– But it certainly helps to make them bearable. Think about what your liver is going through during this time. Prickly pear accelerates liver recovery. This is all thanks to its unique blend of antioxidants. You'll be free of hangover symptoms like nausea, dry mouth, and headaches much sooner than usual. According to research, drinking cactus water can significantly cut the chances of a debilitating hangover. You know, the kind that destroys your chances of getting anything done throughout the day. We’ve all been there. If there’s one reason to give this drink a shot, this is it.

Reduces Inflammation

A science lesson might be boring, but antioxidants and inflammation do need to be explained. Antioxidants are beneficial to your health since they help in the battle against free radicals, which are the cause of many chronic diseases. Antioxidants, to put it simply, keep us healthy at the cellular level.

On the other hand, inflammation is your body's response to external invaders, and it's becoming well recognized as a cause, or at least a contributing role in a variety of auto-immune disorders like diabetes and migraine. An anti-inflammatory diet is essential for reducing inflammation, which can cause cognitive fog, acne, and unexplained lethargy. The antioxidants found in prickly pear cactus have been linked to a variety of health advantages. These potent chemicals can aid in the prevention of cellular damage caused by free radicals. Just so you know, free radicals are unstable chemicals that individuals come into contact with through biochemicals, food, drink, and air. They stress the body and promote chronic inflammation, which may lead to illnesses like type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

The antioxidants in prickly pears can help kill these toxic substances. They're also anti-inflammatory. As a result, drinking cactus water might help with a variety of health issues. Supplementing around 150 ml of antioxidant-rich prickly pear juice daily increases post-exercise muscle recovery while lowering triglycerides, blood pressure, and bad cholesterol. Prickly pear fruit is regarded as a superfood because of its strong antioxidant activity. The same can be said about prickly pear-infused water, which has been labeled as one of the best drinks for people consuming natural beverages.

Gives You Glowing Skin

We all want healthy, glowing skin, right? Well, at least I do. While you can’t run from aging, you can certainly slow it down. Coconut water is just one of the many things that can help you.

Prickly pear cactus offers a few different skin advantages. You’ll be surprised to know that it’s found in many beauty and cosmetic products. Studies state that applying prickly pear extract directly to your skin can minimize damage caused by excessive sun exposure. Furthermore, prickly pear extract has been shown to speed up wound healing and destroy dangerous microorganisms. Putting cactus water to your skin works miracles. Because of its high fatty acid content, it acts like face oil to moisturize your skin. The primary benefit is that it helps your skin stay hydrated for extended periods by preventing water loss. Also, after you apply cactus water to your moistened face, your facial oil absorbs better. You can also try putting cactus water in a spray bottle and misting it on your skin throughout the day. Or, keep cotton pads soaked in cactus water in your fridge and apply them to your puffy eyes in the morning. Cactus water works as a great toner. Prickly pear juice may also aid in the reduction of scars.

Keeps You Hydrated

It's no secret that water makes up the majority of your body. It’s crucial for your metabolism, glowing skin, memory enhancement, and headache prevention. Most of us aren’t getting the proper amount of water each day. To relieve your thirst or gain an energy boost, you frequently turn to coffee or carbonated beverages.

If you’re wondering how cactus water keeps you hydrated, here’s the answer! Its vitamin and mineral content! Cactus water is pleasant and energetic, unlike regular water. Cactus water contains half the sugar and calories of the popular coconut water, so you may drink it guilt-free all day. It doesn't have an overwhelming flavor, so you won't have to compensate for the sweetness with something else.

Heals Stomach Ulcers

One of cactus water’s most promising properties is its ability to cure stomach ulcers and treat ulcerative colitis. This is a disorder marked by inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine.

In a study, prickly pear juice supplementation has been shown to slow down the formation of stomach ulcers. The antioxidant betanin, which is present in this beverage is highly responsible for these potent anti-ulcer properties. Another similar study showed that consuming prickly pear juice reduced UC-related intestinal damage. Just keep in mind that you need to be careful when drinking cactus water. It can give you diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues due to its laxative effect. It’s easy to make cactus water at home using only prickly pear fruits and a few common kitchen tools. Your homemade cactus water can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Several brands are also available in stores and online.