Natural medicine or hype How healthy are cactus and birch sap really?

Cactus water and birch sap: Energydrinks from nature?
Coconut water has long been forgotten. Today, Hollywood stars resort to cactus and birch water, which have significantly fewer calories. The plant juices are said to be very refreshing and to preserve health and beauty. However, there is no scientific evidence for that.

Cactus water has been drinking in the Mexican desert for centuries. The sweet-lemony drink is made from the fruits of prickly pears, which are valuable reservoirs in barren areas. Inside the plant, minerals and vitamins such as vitamins A and C, magnesium, iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids accumulate. Cactus water is a natural awakener due to the acid taurine, which is also found in energy drinks. With regular consumption, even the skin should be firmer. The low-calorie "miracle water" is still not available in German trade. But this can only be a matter of time in the current media hype.

How healthy is cactus water really? Picture: afishman64 - fotolia

Alternatively, it may be some birch sap that the Vikings already appreciated. In Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, the "milking" of the birch has a long tradition. The tree is tapped only in early spring when it pumps the nutritious juice from the roots into the buds. Birch water should taste fresh and sweet and sour. According to the vernacular, it has an invigorating effect, helps with detoxification and relieves headaches. Positive ingredients include potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and sodium.

The calorie content is only 5 kilocalories per 100 ml. Because the sweetness is due to the birch sugar xylitol, which has only half as many calories as ordinary table sugar. In Scandinavia, birch water is not only drunk but also used to sweeten coffee and muesli. Who wants to taste the drink, will find in selected organic supermarkets, health food stores and the Internet. It gives the tree juice pure, but also flavored. Very cheap is the fashion water but not. A 0.3l bottle costs at least 2.50 euros.

Even if trends come and go, the healthiest thirst quencher is still simple tap water or bottled water. And that guarantees calorie-free and cost-effective. Heike Kreutz, aid