Food

Cactus water - The new H2O alternative

As the drive towards healthy alternatives to soft drinks grows, a number of plant-derived waters have skyrocketed in popularity in recent times. Popular for their nutrient density as much for refreshment, these include water from the coconut, watermelon and even a drink extracted from the maple tree!

Each have their own value and all are jostling for room on our supermarket and health food shop shelves. However the one that may yet prove to be one of the best in terms of goodness is cactus water. Also known as nopales, nopalitos or prickly pear juice, the drink has significant nutritional and health benefits as well as being refreshing.

This makes sense as the cactus is famous for storing its water for long periods of time in its natural surrounds: the desert and ancient wisdom has long regarded the cactus as a major source of nutrients as well as nourishment.

As a consequence, the drink is rivalling coconut water as its popularity has grown. So what is it about the desert-dwelling plant that makes it so good for us?

The 6 major benefits include the following:

  1. Contains soluble fibre. This has been shown to help prevent diseases and assist in digestion.
  2. Vital minerals and vitamins. Cactus water contains liberal amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. All are necessary to promote good health.
  3. Great for detox! Cactus water is known to contain all of the powerful 24 powerful antitoxins known as betalains which promotes health and wellbeing as well as helping to flush out toxins from the body.
  4. Stabilises blood sugar levels. Some research is now suggesting that cactus water may help stabilise blood sugar levels. If so this is of major importance for those with diabetes or who are at the pre-diabetic stage.
  5. Gluten free
  6. Low in sugar

Cactus water is a completely natural blend made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus, known as a “superfruit” because of its rare and healthy properties.

Sounds great (I hear you say) but what does it taste like? The flavor is earthy, similar to kiwifruit with a hint of watermelon and raspberry. It is this delicious blend of prickly pear extract of cactus, prickly pear cactus juice and water that brings vital nutrients combined with ultimate refreshment.

Miranda Gray

Article by Miranda Gray

Miranda has had a background in the health and wellness industry for over twelve years, and is a co-founder of Aussie Health Products.

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