If you’re looking for your next best answer to glowing skin, you should be sure to include drinking cactus water as a part of your daily habits. Just until recently, coconut water had been the ultimate go-to health drink. Now however, research has proven cactus water amazing health and skin benefits, with only half of the sugar and calories than coconut water. Keep reading to find out five incredible benefits of drinking cactus water, plus three additional ways to use cactus for your health and beauty.
Cactus water is a plant-based beverage derived from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus and packed with incredible health and skin benefits. Think coconut water, but even better. Cactus water is made with half the calories and sugar than lots of coconut water products sold on the market. In an interview with four health experts, Byrdie UK dug in the science behind the wonders of cactus water for glowing skin. Let's have a look at why everyone should be drinking up the secret to stunning skin, in other words, cactus water.
1. It's packed with anti-ageing compounds for your brain.
Cactus leaf contains flavonoids and phenolics. Both of them have anti-ageing and anti-oxidant effect on the body. They can be able to protect the cells of your body from certain types of cancers. In addition, certain compounds present in the stem of cactus plant are said to act like neuroprotectors that prevent damage done to the brain cells.
2. It helps detoxify and body cleanse.
The blend of cactus extract and puree, water, organic cane sugar and organic lemon juice supposedly cleanses and detoxes the body with a combination of electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and a rare antioxidant known as betalain, believed to prevent against some degenerative diseases. They also are good for the skin and can promote a healthy appearance.
3. It promotes your immune system.
“As a drink, cactus water boasts benefits including fighting free radical damage, damage from UV/UB rays, and pollution because it contains taurine. Taurine is a very potent and dense antioxidant that reduces inflammation and detoxifies your skin. In addition, it contains vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron that can help boost your immune system.”- Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD.
4. It boosts hydration.
Cactus water helps improves body's hydration. “Whereas the majority of water passes through our system, cactus water is much better absorbed in our bodies and retained through our thirsty skin cells, nerves, muscles, organs, and other tissues. It’s also full of electrolytes, which give us glowy skin, better sleep, and more energy and help women cramp less.” - Susie Wang, Cosmetic chemist and 100% Pure founder.
5. It's great for your skin.
Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, believes that drinking cactus water is one of the best anti-agers to incorporate into your diet: “The skin benefits are derived from a high number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. These help decrease puffiness and redness in the skin while concurrently hydrating without adding excess sugar. Ultimately, there’s no such thing as miracle anti-aging sources yet, but with its collection of skin-boosting vitamins and antioxidants, cactus water is leading the pack.”
One of the best decisions we can make for our skin is staying hydrated, and drinking cactus water provides the moisture your cells need to function properly. “When consumed, cactus water is a natural source of electrolytes, which the body requires to remain properly hydrated. Hydration is essential to healthy and supple skin,” Dermatologist Engelman says.
Other ways you could use cactus for health & beauty.
Besides drinking cactus water, you could also use the cactus plant and its water for the following health and beauty benefits.
1. Hydrate skin with a topical application of cactus.
According to Dr. Nazarian, topically applying cactus water in oil form works wonders for your skin. “It works like many other facial oils to hydrate your skin due to its high fatty acid content. The real benefit is that it helps prevent water loss throughout your skin, so your skin will retain hydration for longer periods of time.”
2. Refresh skin by splashing cactus water.
Wang takes a more DIY approach and puts her cactus water in a spray bottle to mist her skin throughout the day. “I also put cotton pads soaked in cactus water in my fridge and put them on my eyes in the morning—it helps with my puffy eyes in the a.m. I also love using cactus water as a toner. My facial oil is better absorbed on my dampened skin after I’ve applied cactus water.”
3. Help control sugar levels by consuming cactus leaves.
Those suffering from diabetes can also consume cactus leaf as it is said to control blood sugar levels efficiently.
How do you use cactus in your daily life?
We've listed above all the benefits of using cactus for your daily health and beauty. Is there another benefit that we didn't include on this list? Please let us know in the comments. Also don't miss our beautiful Cactus Decor Collection to find amazing decor inspired in cactus. Find stunning cactus wallpaper, cactus canvas art, cactus tapestries, terrariums, and more. Visit it here.
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