Health trends come and go, but this one has us feeling a little prickly, if we're being honest. That's because the latest ~wellness~ trend has people drinking water from...a cactus. We already drink regular water and water from coconuts, but now there's a new form of hydration stemming from the one place that notoriously isn't hydrated. Consider us confused.
The person behind this latest trend is none other than the unbelievable, indescribable Vanessa Hudgens. You know, Baby V. We're shocked and confused and we had to look into it further.
First of all, what does Vanessa Hudgens have to do with this?
What is it and why do I need it?
Specifically, it comes from the body of prickly pear cacti, which are known for their vibrant pink flowers. So, fittingly, the water that comes from them is also pink. Similar to beets, this pink hue contains betalain pigments, which have anti-inflammatory properties great for reducing swelling -- think, after a hard workout or *cough* when you're insanely hungover.
And the benefits don't stop there; not only is cactus water anti-inflammatory, but it's high in those much-needed antioxidants.
“Antioxidants play a huge role in our body,” said nutritionist Scotty Schellner. “Oxidative stress in our bodies is one of the leading causes of inflammation and plays a major role in the breakdown of our bodies. By adding high antioxidants foods and beverages, we help to fight off these stressors. They are not an overnight ‘magic pill,’ but they work in a compounding effect over time.”
Are there any risks?
Oh, and if you're buying this at the store, make sure to check the label for added sugar. Because, ya know, that just defeats the purpose of #health.