Can You Drink Cactus Juice? The Surprising Truth

Yes, cactus juice is safe to drink and is often enjoyed for its refreshing taste and potential health benefits.

Many people wonder if cactus juice is safe to drink, especially in survival situations. While some cacti produce drinkable liquid, most contain toxic compounds that can cause severe illness. Understanding which types are safe and how to prepare them properly is crucial.

Is Cactus Juice Safe to Drink?

Not all cactus juice is created equal. While Hollywood often portrays cacti as natural water sources, the reality is more complex. Most cacti contain harmful substances that protect them from desert animals.

Toxic Cactus Varieties to Avoid

Many common cacti contain dangerous compounds:

• Barrel cactus – Contains oxalic acid that can damage kidneys
• Saguaro – Produces bitter alkaloids causing nausea
• Prickly pear pads – Contain irritating oxalates unless cooked

The milky sap from African euphorbias (often mistaken for cacti) can cause blindness and severe skin burns.

Potentially Safe Options

Only two cactus species might provide drinkable liquid in emergencies:

1. Fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)
2. Prickly pear fruit (Opuntia species)

Even these require careful preparation to remove harmful compounds. The best vegetable juicer machines can help extract liquid while filtering out pulp and spines.

Health Risks of Drinking Cactus Juice

Consuming the wrong type of cactus juice can lead to serious health consequences:

Symptom	Caused By	Timeframe
Vomiting	Alkaloids	30-60 minutes
Diarrhea	Oxalic acid	1-3 hours
Temporary paralysis	Certain glycosides	4-6 hours

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, these effects can worsen dehydration rather than relieve it.

How to Safely Prepare Cactus Juice

If you must use cactus for hydration, follow these steps carefully:

For Prickly Pear Fruit

1. Use tongs to harvest ripe fruits (red or purple)
2. Burn off spines with flame or scrape with knife
3. Peel skin completely
4. Mash pulp and strain through cloth

For Barrel Cactus

1. Cut top off mature plant
2. Scoop out inner pulp
3. Strain through multiple layers of fabric
4. Dilute with water if available

For regular consumption, consider investing in a quality juicer designed for tough fruits and vegetables.

Cactus Juice in Modern Mixology

While wild cactus juice poses risks, commercial preparations have become popular in cocktails. The DeKuyper Cactus Juice liqueur offers a safe, flavorful alternative inspired by prickly pear.

Popular Cactus Juice Cocktails

• Cactus Cooler – Vodka, lime, and prickly pear syrup
• Desert Sunrise – Tequila, orange juice, and cactus nectar
• ATLA Inspired – Soju, yakult, and star fruit syrup

These drinks capture the exotic flavor without the dangers of raw cactus consumption.

Nutritional Value of Cactus Juice

Properly prepared cactus juice offers some health benefits:

• High in vitamin C (prickly pear)
• Contains antioxidants
• May help regulate blood sugar
• Provides electrolytes

However, these benefits only apply to commercially processed or carefully prepared juice – never raw cactus liquid.

For those interested in healthy juices, explore the benefits of dragon fruit juice as a safer alternative.