Coconut water is a big business now. The island drink is something that many fitness gurus swear by.
However, coconut water has a competitor now; cactus water.
The fitness industry has shifted and introduced a new contender into the mix, which you can find in deserts instead of the island.
These waters are healthy and have unique qualities that set them apart. But in the debate of Cactus Water vs. Coconut Water, some features can edge one over the other.
The article below will discuss the pros and cons of each and why one may have an edge compared to the other.
Table of Contents
Cactus Water vs. Coconut Water
Cactus Water
Cactus Water used to be reasonably low-key until recently. Our knowledge of cactus water was limited to internet threads that claimed that drinking cactus water in the desert would save us from dehydration (more on this later).
However, now it feels like everyone’s drinking cactus water and having the best time doing so.
Cactus water has received a lot of hype as the best post-workout drink recently, as it hydrates you without extra calories.
It also has a variety of nutrients that make it exceptionally healthy. Cactus water is another drink in the line of plant-based hydration therapies that are picking up.
Various celebrities are launching cactus drinks, including Vanessa Hudgens and Travis Scott.
The recent trend has much to do with how accessible and abundant cacti are.
Cacti are plants that don’t require special conditions to exist. The best thing about these plants is that they don’t require a lot of water to survive.
Thus, cactus water is also exceptional in terms of supply-chain considerations. We can get cactus water from the prickly pear cactus fruits that are trendy in Mexico.
Mexico is near the United States, thus making prickly pear cactus water more accessible to markets in America.
Benefits of Cactus Water
Cactus water has many benefits, which is why it’s so popular now. We have mentioned some of these benefits below.
- Prickly Pear cactus fruit is filled with antioxidants. It has vitamin C, which is excellent for skin and gums, and other antioxidants like betalain, quercetin, and taurine. Other antioxidants include carotenoids, which help restrict cell damage by collecting free radicals. The skincare industry is on the rise, and many people prefer drinking cactus water due to the vitamin C it provides, which is beneficial for the skin.
- Cactus water also has betalains derived from the pink pigment of the prickly pear cactus. The pigment is highly anti-inflammatory, which can help distribute pain. This cactus water will also be helpful if you have inconsistent blood sugar.
- There are many electrolytes in cactus water. Electrolytes are necessary because they help the body function and support blood flow. These electrolytes include magnesium, potassium, and calcium, which help ensure that the fluids in your blood are balanced. They also help care for the other body parts, including your nerves, bones, kidneys, heart, and muscles.
- The antioxidant and electrolytes help restrict any inflammatory responses in the body after a workout. It can help with the buildup of lactic acid, which results in cramps. It also keeps blood sugar at a moderate level. The fluids in your body are also likely to remain well within the equilibrium, and muscle recovery will be much quicker.
- There’s also research that states that if you take cactus water before the consumption of alcohol, you are less likely to get a hangover or hangover symptoms. Drinking this water means avoiding the harsh effects of dry mouth and nausea and having a more productive day even after a night of drinking.
- Taurine is also an antioxidant in cactus water that adds a lot of energy to the drink. It makes cactus water a lovely drink after an intense workout.
- Besides the health benefits of cactus water, its extrication is also environmentally friendly. The reason behind this is that cactus water is sourced from cactus plants. Cactus plants are not water exhaustive, i.e., they don’t require much water to grow. This fact means they’re very sustainable and can be planted relatively quickly. They also don’t require an insane amount of land mass to grow.
- The increased commercialization of Cactus water means it is now available in all sorts of flavors, making it much more drinkable. So even if you don’t enjoy the flavor, there are many options for you to choose from to have a much healthier lifestyle.
Precautions For Drinking Cactus Water
Like anything, even with the several advantages of cactus water, there are also some precautions that you must take care of before ingesting this drink.
- Cactus water is majorly Derived from the fruit of a prickly pear cactus. This fruit can function as a laxative, so you may want to drink the cactus water in moderation. If you don’t do so, it may result in gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea which can severely dehydrate you and worsen your health.
- Another effect of cactus water is that it can lower your blood sugar level. Cactus water is excellent if you have diabetes or are pre-diabetic. However, you may face hypoglycemia if you drink this with medicine that already reduces your blood sugar, you may face hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can end badly for you, so you must refrain from drinking this water if you are on any blood sugar-reducing medicine.
- Cactus water has become very commercialized, so it may not remain as authentic as it was. Many cactus water drinks include extra sugar to make the cactus water more palatable. If you are someone whose goal is to reduce sugar in their diet, processed cactus water can harm your goals.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is quite a trendy drink. There are many reasons that so many people prefer this over any other drink.
Coconut is naturally found in many countries in South Asia. It’s also naturally sweet and hydrating.
The nutritious factors in coconut water make it a drink many people prefer.
Benefits of Coconut Water:
There are many benefits of coconut water. We have listed some of them below:
- Coconut water is chock full of nutrients. Coconut water has 94% water and does not have a lot of fat. However, the liquid found has hydrating features that allow blood flow maintenance. It contains carbohydrates, healthy sugars, and other notable minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. All these minerals allow for hydration and easy body function.
- Coconut water also has antioxidants. These antioxidants help change free radicals, so they can’t harm your body. A study states that as free radical activity decreases, blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels.
- Drinking coconut water regularly can also help with hydration. Hydration is crucial if you want to avoid the creation of kidney stones in your body. Kidney stones are formed when compounds like calcium and oxalate are present in urine in the form of crystals. A study stated that coconut water could help prevent crystals from attaching to distinct kidney and urinary tract parts.
- Coconut water also helps hydrate after an extended period of exercise, which is why it used to be the preferred hydration therapy before cactus water. It has many electrolytes that help the body gain equilibrium. It’s also natural, which is why people are likely to drink it in preference to any sports drink or energy drink after a workout stop
Precautions of Coconut Water
There are also certain precautions you must take when hydrating yourself with coconut water.
- It’s not very effective as a hydration technique for athletes. You should drink plain water to regain electrolytes right after you’ve worked out. The amount of sodium that coconut water has can prevent relevant hydration.
- For people with nut allergies, coconut water may lead to inflammation. Coconut is one huge nut and, thus, is one of the more common allergies people can have, which is why people should not use coconut water in larger volumes.
Final Thoughts: Cactus Water Versus Coconut Water
The benefits of cactus water compared to coconut water are remarkably similar. Both of them have antioxidants and minerals that help with hydration.
Both are good for preventing cell damage and maintaining body fluids.
Both drinks have several flavors available, which is why there’s nothing about the taste that people can’t overcome with suitable flavoring.
Several advantages are unique to each of these waters.
However, the significant difference between the two is that cactus water contributes to lower calories and less blood sugar in the human body.
Cactus water is a better option than coconut water for those who are super careful of their gallery intake.
Furthermore, cactus water is also much more sustainable than coconut water.
Coconut plants or trees can take years to grow, which is very exhaustive for the environment around them, and they also require a lot of water to grow.
Compared to coconut water, cactus water is much more sustainable to produce. Cactus plants, especially the prickly pear cactus, do not require much water to grow.
Thus, these benefits edge cactus water above coconut water in rehydration therapies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Drinking Cactus Water good for you?
Our cactus water is not good for you. A cactus is a succulent plant that consumes water and uses the surrounding air to cool itself.
It does not produce the oxygen that humans need for survival. So, drinking cactus water will not give you enough oxygen.
What are the Side Effects of Drinking Cactus Water?
Drinking cactus water can decrease blood pressure, relax the blood vessels, decrease swelling, and may increase energy.
However, drinking cactus water is not recommended for people who already have low blood pressure.
Is Cactus Water better than Coconut Water?
Coconut water is not bad for you. Some studies suggest that coconut water can be a good source of electrolytes, which are mostly lost when you sweat.
