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Cactus Water Vs. Coconut Water: Everything You Need To Know
Photo credit: bigstock
Every person who is truly interested in their health knows that sugar and empty calories are not their friends. With so many truly tasty, nutritious drinks on the market today, why anyone would waste their money, calories, and health on sugary sodas or energy drinks is beyond us.
Coconut water has held one of the top spots as the ultimate healthy drink for several years, so if you haven’t seen the newcomer on your store shelves, you soon will. But what is this new drink that threatens coconut water’s position? Cactus water.
You might be smirking right about now, thinking that cactus might have stickers but certainly not water, and you would be partially correct. Remember those old movies where the dying cowboy, lost in the desert, cuts open a cactus and drinks from it, saving his life? That is just a Hollywood movie, friends. To be able to drink from a prickly pear cactus, you would need to cook it first to reduce the acid level. Drinking directly from the cactus can make you sick! The cactus water we are talking about is derived from the fruit of the prickly pear, not the actual cactus.
So what is the difference between coconut water and cactus water? Is cactus water worth the extra money? Let’s take a look at the facts so you can decide for yourself and not have to rely on some television guru to tell you which the drink they are getting paid to promote.
Coconut Water
This is certainly the standard drink to which most health-minded people turn. With more public awareness of the negative impact high fructose corn syrup has on our health, coconut water is a great choice for those trying to get off the soda train because of its sweet flavor.
Coconut water is low in sodium and carbs and is a great way to rehydrate the body. If you are trying to cut out diet sodas or lower your sodium intake, coconut water makes perfect sense.
The downside to coconut water is that there are so many different types, it’s hard to sort out which one is good and which isn’t. Finding pure coconut water that hasn’t been heated so that it loses its healthy nutrients; one that isn’t made from concentrate; and one that hasn’t been filled with unwanted added ingredients such as artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners is not an easy task in today’s world.
All said and done, coconut water is still a really healthy choice and a great way to make the break from sodas.
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BOKinLarksville
Oct 16, 2015 at 12:09 pm
OMFG! Next you will have us believing Toilet water is the fountain of youth.. Enough! People are so stupid, and always looking for a magic pill.. Dedication and hard work is all you need! Eat clean.. Your pocket will thank you! Sites like these are no better than Dr. Oz.. They just push crap
Judy
Oct 17, 2015 at 12:04 am
Cactus (prickly pear type) is a good friend to diabetics.All meds for diabetes makes me very ill. I control it for past 10 years with fresh cactus. I use the green paddles aka: the green leaves. In Mexico before insulin, that was how it was controlled. You take off the stickers cut it up and boil until it turns a little yellowish. Then rinse cactus with VERY hot water.It is like okra it has a sorta slimy clear stuff the hot water rinses away. I refrigerate it until when I want to use it. I make a salad using cactus, tomatoes, celery, green onions,etc. with Italian dressing. Everyone who has tried it is surprised that the cactus tastes like green beans and it has a light crunchy texture. Also I use it in scrambled eggs, green onions, cactus and either cooked (salad) shrimp. I was taught that recipe by a friend from Mexico. Down there they use shredded dried shrimp. The cactus salad is served in many fine restaurants in South America and Texas, N.M. and Az. South America has used cactus for hundreds of years.