What Is A Prickly Pear?
The common term for the fruit that grows on top of the leaves of the nopales cactus is “prickly pear” or “cactus fruit.” About 200 species of nopales cactus (opuntia) exist in the north and south America and produce prickly pear fruit.
However, not all types are edible. The Indian fig opuntia (o. Ficus-Indica), also known as the Indian fig opuntia, is the most widely consumed and cooked of all the Opuntia species.
The most intriguing feature of this fruit is that it grows at the very edge of the spiny leaves of these imposing cacti. These leaves are among the hardiest lowland cacti globally, the property passed down to the fruit from its parent plant.
They are elliptical in shape and vary in color from yellow and light green to orange, pink, and red, depending on the type and stage of maturity at which they were harvested. The fruit of the prickly pear has spread across the world, from Egypt to Morocco to Europe and the middle east, even though all cacti are strictly native to north and south America.
Nutritional Values of Prickly Pear
Besides having a strange name, appearance, and origin, this fruit also has a strange nutritional content. The content includes high vitamin C and B-family vitamins and potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, and dietary fiber.
Organic components found in cactus fruit include significant concentrations of flavonoids, polyphenols, and betalains, all of which have been demonstrated to benefit one’s health.
Health Benefits of Prickly Pears
The following are the specific health benefits of this pear, as detailed in more detail below:
Weight Control
In this age and day, obesity is a global epidemic that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. As an alternative to drastic measures such as hazardous drugs or surgery, it is possible that ingesting adequate amounts of dietary fiber could be the solution to this problem.
Prickly pear fruits are high in fiber, which helps you feel fuller for longer periods and reduces hunger cravings. It is believed that this fruit assists in weight control and even weight loss because it contains dietary fat from being sponged by the digestive system.
Increases Immunity
Because of the possibly high levels of vitamins c and e in cactus pear fruit, as documented by a study published in the American Journal of clinical nutrition by Luisa Tesoriero et al., consuming cactus pear fruit is favorably associated with toxin elimination and antioxidant activity in the body.
In fact, one serving of prickly pears may provide more than one-third of your daily recommended intake of vitamin c (source: USDA). Vitamin c, also recognized as ascorbic acid, is an important antioxidant in the body that helps to intensify the immune system by boosting the generation of white blood cells and functioning as an immune system booster.
Aside from that, vitamin c is well-known for its role as an enzyme and metabolic cofactor in a variety of activities, including the formation of bone and muscle tissue.
Less Frequent Migraine and Headaches
Migraine is a chronic inflammatory disorder defined by the presence of a severe headache (typically on a particular side of the head) as well as digestive and visual abnormalities. It is caused by inflammation of the brain’s blood vessels.
Anti-inflammatory substances are required in order to alleviate swelling and inflammation. These are abundant in the prickly pear fruit, particularly the compound indicaxanthin, which is a carotenoid. Actually, it’s an anti-inflammatory food pigment that can help reduce a variety of pro-inflammatory variables in the body.
When ingested on a regular basis, this fruit can benefit people who suffer from migraines. It also lessens the intensity and frequency with which they occur.
Cardiovascular Health
Prickly pears include a lot of beneficial components for heart health, and one of these is prickly pear fruit. First and foremost, the high quantities of fiber in the fruit can aid in the reduction of LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the body.
Second, the high levels of potassium in the diet can lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and lowering stress on the cardiovascular system, which is beneficial. Finally, the betalains contained in prickly pear have been shown to be directly linked to the strengthening of the endothelial walls of blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of the circulatory system becoming weakened as a result.
Atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and stroke can all be prevented with the use of cactus fruit in general.
Keeps the Liver Healthy
We continually ingest carcinogens and so many other chemicals that can cause liver damage without realizing the peril we are putting ourselves and our loved ones in. Here’s a possible solution: eat prickly pear fruit or preserve it in the form of jams or jellies to keep your liver from getting damaged.
It includes a high concentration of antioxidants, which can help to lessen the oxidative stress that such substances have on the liver. It has a hepatoprotective effect, which is primarily characterized by the elimination of free radicals and the enhancement of the body’s antioxidant activity against these chemicals.
Anti-Cancer Properties
As reported by an investigation published in the American Journal of clinical nutrition (2004), prickly pears contain significant quantities of flavonoids, polyphenols, and betalains.
These blends have the potential to serve as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals before they cause healthy cells to mutate.
A team of experimenters from the University of Arizona conducted laboratory tests on mice and discovered that the prickly pear cactus from Arizona was effective in inhibiting tumor growth. However, the researchers stated that additional research is needed because the mechanism of the anti-cancer effect was not completely understood.
Keeps Blood Sugar Levels Under Control
Because of its hypoglycemic properties, cactus pear is frequently recommended. The consumption of this fruit or its extract has been shown to lower high blood glucose levels while also maintaining normal levels of blood sugar.
Several studies conducted on diabetic and nondiabetic rats have revealed a reduction in blood glucose levels in both groups. The primary mechanism of this reduction is a decrease in the absorption of glucose from the digestive tract.
The fiber and pectin content of the prickly pear cactus fruit is believed to be responsible for this behavior. It is quite simple to manage type ii diabetes once the blood glucose levels have been kept under control.
Potency as An Antioxidant
These powerful antioxidants do more than only fight cancer; they also shield the skin from sun damage, reduce the likelihood of premature aging, improve vision, prevent macular degeneration, and boost the health and functionality of the brain.
Studies conducted in Germany revealed that the prickly fruit has significant levels of tocopherol and beta-carotene, both of which are extremely useful for the health of the skin and eyes. Free radicals play a role in the oxidation of neuronal cells that results in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to recent research1.
Researchers have discovered a relationship between polyphenolic compounds and higher cognitive function.
Prevents Ulcers
Stress, both physical and mental, can produce changes in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract that can result in gastric ulcers. Inflammation develops as a result of an increase in the production of pro-inflammatory compounds that cause damage to the stomach wall.
Prickly pears have a beneficial effect on the mucosa of the stomach, and this action is made possible in large part by the presence of a chemical known as betanin in this fruit. This regulates the development of stomach mucus while also lowering the levels of pro-inflammatory substances in the bloodstream.
Because of this, eating prickly pears reduces the likelihood of developing ulcers to a substantial degree.
Reduces Inflammation
It was traditionally used to treat inflammation by crushing the fruit of the cactus plant and applying it straight to the affected areas of the body.
Consuming the antioxidants and minerals that may be contained in prickly pears can help to reduce inflammation, which is advantageous for people suffering from ailments such as arthritis, gout, and muscle strain.
A study conducted at Seoul national university confirmed that it had anti-inflammatory qualities. It can also be used topically to reduce the swelling caused by bug bites, which has been a prevalent practice for hundreds of years and has been shown to be effective.
Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
Continuing on the topic of weight reduction, prickly pear has been shown to lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Its fiber (pectin) content can be attributed to this since it aids in the elimination of LDL cholesterol from the body.
In experiments, it has been demonstrated that prickly pear can lower cholesterol levels in both the plasma and the liver. Additionally, certain phytosterols present in cactus seed oil have been shown to have a beneficial effect on cholesterol metabolism. Hyperlipidemia, a disorder characterized by elevated cholesterol levels, can also be managed successfully.
