There are a number of components of prickly pears that make it very good for heart health. This ends up with several benefits through its consumption. John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). By ensuring you have enough calcium in your system, you can prevent various dental issues, as well as age-related bone disorders like osteoporosis. The fruit, called “prickly pears” are very sweet and can be eaten raw. Digestive Health. While the fruit is probably the most appetizing part of the cactus, almost the whole plant is edible including the leaves and the stems. Prickly pear or cactus fruit is the common name of the fruit that grows on top of the leaves of Nopales cacti. Images are provided by Shutterstock & our contributors. For this, you will have to look out for green stems. Cactus fruit refers to the fruit that grows on the prickly pear cactus, often called tunas. In traditional medicine, the cactus fruit was mashed and applied topically to parts of the body that were inflamed. Prickly pear plant is utilized to manage type-2 diabetes, colitis, diarrhea, high cholesterol, obesity, mild prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and support viral diseases. If you are not convinced that eating a cactus plant is the best idea, you may be surprised to learn just how much nutritional goodness it contains. The best way to use the fruit is to smash and strain the fruit thus collecting its puree through a strainer. Its use in treating diabetes, lipid disorders, inflammation, and ulcers, as well as its other pharmacologic effects, have been documented. Prickly Pear Cactus Plant (Opuntia ficus-indica) Benefits Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica), is an edible cactus plant that grows in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Instead of... 2. last updated - July 01, 2020 With high fiber and nutrient density, low calories, and saturated fat, prickly pears can keep your body in a healthy form without adding any extra weight. Because prickly pears are such a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, they can play a... For the Bones and Teeth. Apart from the unusual name, appearance, and origin of this fruit, it also has a unique composition of nutrients, including high levels of vitamin C, B-family vitamins, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper, and dietary fiber (source: USDA National Nutrient Database). It can also be topically applied to eliminate the swelling of bug bites, which in fact is a method in use for hundreds of years. Not only is the fruit edible but the pads can also be eaten after they have been properly prepared. Furthermore, vitamin C is an important component of various enzymatic and metabolic processes, including the creation of bone and muscle tissue. Prickly pear neutralizes the free radicals that cause premature aging signs, … Additionally, research tests conducted on laboratory mice led by a team from the University of Arizona found that Arizona prickly pear cactus helped suppress tumor growth; however, the researchers stated further studies are required as the mechanism of anti-cancer effect was not completely understood. Benefits of Prickly Pear. 1. Prickly Pear Fruit Benefits They Help Protect your Heart. Although native to America, prickly pears are now grown in other parts of the world including Morocco, Egypt, the Middle East and Mediterranean Europe. First of all, the levels of fiber in the fruit can help lower the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body. The colour of the fruit can range from greenish yellow to deep red and even purple. Prickly pear cactus — or also known as nopal, opuntia and other names — is promoted for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve. Prickles (sharp spines) must be removed, obviously, since they are very dangerous. ✓ Evidence Based. English names for the plant and its fruit are Indian fig opuntia, barbary fig, cactus pear, spineless cactus, and prickly pear, although this last name has also been applied to other less common Opuntia species. Our articles are evidence-based and contain scientific references, fact-checked by experts. Average rating 4.1 out of 5.0 based on 505 user(s). Also, the fiber and carbohydrates prevent you from overeating! Health benefits of Prickly Pear The health-promoting properties of cactus fruit and other parts have been the object of great interest, with special attention to antioxidant phytochemicals. The skin and the prickles must be removed before cooking the pads as you would cook a vegetable. The health benefits of prickly pear include its ability to lower cholesterol levels, improve the digestive process, decrease the risk of diabetes, boost the immune system, and stimulate bone growth. What is Prickly Pear? The flavonoid mixes in thorny pear bring down the danger of bosom, prostate, stomach,... 3. … http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.200400071/abstract, http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1008000232406, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1983.tb00259.x/abstract, http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/217133, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf025696p, https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/80/2/391/4690322, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3661902/, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874101001969, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814602005502, http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/80/2/391.short, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1242252/, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814603001286, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899302041501, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367326X00002872, 12 Proven Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar, Hibiscus Tea: Benefits, How to Make, & Side Effects, Calamansi Juice: Benefits, Recipe, and Side Effects, Native Americans often used prickly pears to make colonche, and certain varieties of the cactus possess. 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