Post-run hydration can be a prickly issue. There’s plenty of brands that promise improved performance and speedier recovery, but the hard science is thin on the ground. Help may be at hand from an unlikely source: cactus juice. It seems drinking just 150ml of this prickly customer can make you both faster and fitter, according to new research, published in Food Science & Nutrition.
A study conducted by the Tunisian National Centre of Medicine and Sports in Science found that a daily intake of cactus juice led to impressive aerobic improvements over a two-week period.
Related: 7 of the best cheeses for runners
After a fortnight of quenching their thirst on cactus juice, test subjects were able to run further and found exercise easier. In addition, their VO2 max – the maximum rate at which your heart and muscles can effectively use oxygen during exercise – had increased, while drinking cactus juice also seemed to decrease the muscle damage caused by endurance exercise. The compounds that make training so painful were found in lower concentrations in the blood of the cactus drinkers post-run.
Related: 9 dehydration symptoms that aren't thirst
Other studies suggest that cactus juice may also help to create a healthier gut as it promotes the growth of good bacteria in the stomach, while there’s also some evidence to suggest it has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
With cactus juice available from most supermarkets, maybe it’s time added some succulence to your drinks.
