It might be true, but no rigorous tests have been performed on this issue (other than home tests and subjective subjective experiences) all yielding inconclusive or ambiguous results. Such a study requires really a lot of time and equipment that kitchen chemists do not haev access to. And this issue does not rank high enough to even consider for outside funding, so go figure.

As for the cuttings, 1 foot of cactus is equal to 40-60g of dried flesh powder, this is guesstimated from the average amount the average person needs for the average trip, i.e 1 footlong or 50g of powder.