Cactus Water vs. Coconut Water: How Do They Stack Up and Which Is Better for You?
Coconut water had its moment in the sun, but there’s a new plant-based hydration beverage that’s here to stay: cactus water. Made from the prickly pear cactus, this refreshing drink offers its own unique blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and hydrating benefits. While coconut water is well-known for its natural electrolytes, cactus water brings a lighter, subtly sweet flavor and a different set of health perks. But which one is truly better for you? Let’s compare cactus water and coconut water to see how they stack up.
Cactus water vs. coconut water
Cactus water and coconut water have both carved out a place in the health and wellness scene as natural ways to hydrate. Thanks to its electrolyte content and tropical, nutty flavor, coconut water has established itself as a go-to choice for hydration. But cactus water is emerging as a popular alternative, boasting its own set of health benefits and a refreshingly fruity flavor. Let’s unpack the differences between these two popular drinks, examining their nutritional profiles, hydrating properties, and more to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your hydration routine.
The nutrition facts
On the surface, both cactus water and coconut water might seem like healthy hydration options, but a closer look at the nutrition labels reveals some key differences.
Coconuts are known for their health benefits, especially as post-workout recovery, but they come with a catch—saturated fats. Many people assume that anything plant-based is automatically healthy, but coconut water’s 70 calories and 15 grams of sugar per serving tell a different story. While it's not necessarily bad for you, those sugars and calories can add up if coconut water is part of your daily hydration routine.
On the other hand, cactus water contains less than half the calories and sugars of coconut water and zero saturated fats, making it a lighter option. As a bonus, cactus water contains fiber and anti-inflammatory properties that support balanced digestion and help regulate blood sugar.
When comparing the nutrition facts, cactus water clearly comes out on top.
Hydrating powers
Coconuts and prickly pear fruit are both celebrated for their hydrating powers, not only in electrolyte drinks, but in skincare products as well. When it comes to electrolyte content, both cactus water and coconut water deliver essential electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, which help your body stay hydrated. Electrolytes play a crucial role in replenishing lost fluids, making them essential for both post-workout recovery and daily refreshment.
Cactus water and coconut water each contain several naturally occurring electrolytes–in the battle for hydration, it’s a tie!
Antioxidants
When it comes to antioxidants, cactus water offers more unique benefits than coconut water. Coconut water is a source of several antioxidants like vitamin C and is known for its high potassium content. But although potassium can be beneficial in moderation, drinking too much can throw off your body’s balance and potentially strain kidney health.
Cactus water, on the other hand, is packed with a wider variety of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, betalains, taurine, and flavonoids. These powerful compounds help remove toxins from the body, promote cell health, and can even improve brain function.
Betalains, in particular, stand out for their anti-inflammatory properties, helping to relieve sore muscles and manage chronic inflammation. Cactus water is also a rare plant-based source of taurine–an antioxidant that supports everything from muscular and nervous system function to cardiovascular and digestive health.
While both drinks are a source of vitamins and minerals, cactus water’s broad range of essential antioxidants gives it an edge in promoting long-term health.
For glowy skin
Staying hydrated is key to a glowy complexion. Both cactus water and coconut water provide the essential hydration your skin needs to stay healthy and radiant. But there’s more to it than just hydration.
Antioxidants in both beverages work to neutralize free radicals, maintaining skin elasticity and preventing premature aging. They also contain vitamin C, known to brighten and even skin tone.
However, cactus water takes the lead with its additional vitamin E content, which protects the skin from sun damage and supports deeper repair. The taurine found in cactus water also contributes to healthy skin, hydrating at a cellular level to help repair damaged skin.
For skin that glows from within, cactus water is the favorite.
The taste test
Many enjoy the flavor of coconut water, but it can be an acquired taste with its nutty, slightly overwhelming profile. Cactus water, on the other hand, offers a subtle, fruity flavor that’s light, refreshing, and enjoyed by adults and kids alike.
Caliwater Cactus Water also comes in five fruity flavors, so there’s something for everyone:
- 🌵Prickly Pear: Original but never boring, with a berry-like flavor and a hint of tartness
- 🍑🥭Peach Mango: A juicy tropical combo that tastes like a mini vacation
- 🍉Watermelon: Naturally sweet and refreshingly light–like a sip of summer
- 🍍Pineapple: Crisp and refreshing with the vibrant flavor of ripe pineapple
- 🫚🍋🟩Ginger + Lime: A zesty blend of spicy ginger and tangy lime for an adventurous twist
With a pleasant taste and several flavors to choose from, cactus water delivers delicious hydration that everyone can get behind.
Beyond hydration
While coconut water is typically reserved for post-workout recovery or as a smoothie base, cactus water is all that and more. Mix Caliwater into a cocktail or mocktail, blend it into smoothies, or freeze it into popsicles for a healthy treat.
Cactus water not only contains essential electrolytes and anti-inflammatory properties to replenish fluids and promote muscle recovery, but it’s great for hangover relief as well. Use Caliwater as a healthy mixer, or sip on one the morning after a fun night out.
Cactus water has a wide variety of uses, proving to be the more versatile option beyond just hydration.
Sustainability
Prickly pear cacti are notably resilient, thriving in a variety of environments with minimal water. They’re naturally resistant to many pests and diseases and begin producing prickly pear fruit in just three to five years, making them an eco-friendly crop that doesn’t require any harsh chemicals to grow.
In contrast, coconut farming has a much heavier environmental toll. Mostly grown in Asia, coconuts must travel long distances to coconut water production plants, leaving a significant carbon footprint. The trees take six to ten years to mature and often require pesticides to protect the limited supply. Worse, the industry exploits farmers living in poverty, resulting in overworked coconut trees and strained ecosystems.
At Caliwater, we take the natural resilience of the prickly pear cactus a step further, implementing a process that’s as sustainable as the crop itself. We turn the prickly pear fruit into a powder to lock in its essential nutrients while reducing food waste. Our cactus water is then packaged in fully recyclable aluminum cans, unlike coconut water, which often comes in plastic-lined cartons that are difficult to recycle.
In the sustainability race, it’s not even close–cactus water wins again.
Which plant-based electrolyte drink is better for you?
When you compare cactus water with coconut water, cactus water consistently comes out on top for both health and taste.🌵🥇 Not only does it offer fewer calories and sugars compared to coconut water, but it also packs a powerful punch of antioxidants like vitamin E and betalains that coconut water just can’t match.
Whether sipped on its own or mixed into your favorite recipes, Caliwater Cactus Water delivers a light, refreshing taste that’s hard to beat. Plus, with Caliwater leading the way in sustainability, it’s a choice you can feel good about. For great-tasting hydration that’s as good for your body as it is for the planet, make cactus water your new go-to.
Where can you find cactus water?
Ready to taste the cactus water difference? If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to coconut water or a low-calorie way to boost your hydration game, shop Caliwater Cactus Water variety packs to sample several flavors and find your favorite, or go all-in on a flavor that speaks to you. And with our convenient cactus water kids pouches, you can make hydration fun for the whole family. Find Caliwater online or in stores near you–your taste buds (and your skin) will thank you!
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