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| Image Prickly Pear or Cactus pear |
The benefits of Prickly Pear or Cactus pear for our health:
1. High Nutritional Value
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Prickly Pear Cactus is packed with essential nutrients. In every 100 grams of Prickly Pear fruit, you can find the following nutritional content:
- - Protein: 0.73 grams
- - Total Fat: 0.51 grams
- - Carbohydrates: 9.57 grams
- - Fiber: 3.6 grams
- - Calcium: 56 milligrams
- - Iron: 0.3 milligrams
- - Magnesium: 85 milligrams
- - Phosphorus: 24 milligrams
- - Potassium: 220 milligrams
- - Sodium: 5 milligrams
- - Zinc: 0.12 milligrams
- - Copper: 0.08 milligrams
- - Selenium: 0.6 micrograms
- - Vitamin C: 14 milligrams
- - Vitamin B1: 0.01 milligrams
- - Vitamin B2: 0.06 milligrams
- - Vitamin B3: 0.46 milligrams
- - Vitamin B6: 0.06 milligrams
With these diverse nutritional components, it's no surprise that Prickly Pear Cactus is considered beneficial for health.
2. Boosts the Immune System
According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming cactus fruits like Prickly Pear is believed to enhance the immune system. This benefit is attributed to the presence of vitamins C and E in cactus fruits. A Prickly Pear can provide one-third of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C, which stimulates white blood cell production and acts as an antioxidant in the body.
3. Strengthens Bones and Teeth
Prickly Pear contains a significant amount of calcium, which is essential for strengthening bones and teeth. By meeting your daily calcium needs, you can prevent dental problems and bone diseases like osteoporosis.
4. Aids Digestion
Cactus fruit, including Prickly Pear, is rich in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for the digestive system. Fiber helps compact stool and facilitates the movement of food through the digestive tract, preventing constipation, bloating, and more severe digestive issues like ulcers.
5. Maintains Heart Health
Prickly Pear contains components that are good for heart health. Firstly, it has fiber that can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in the body. Secondly, its potassium content can reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, protecting the cardiovascular system from stress. Prickly Pear is also believed to prevent conditions like atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and stroke.
6. Potential Cancer Prevention
According to a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2004), Prickly Pear contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and betalains. These compounds act as antioxidants and neutralize free radicals before they can cause cell mutations. This is why Prickly Pear is thought to have cancer-preventing properties. Another study from the University of Arizona also revealed that Prickly Pear can inhibit tumor growth in mice, but further research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
7. Weight Loss
As reported by Organic Facts, Prickly Pear can help with weight loss. This benefit is attributed to its high fiber content and low calorie count. Additionally, Prickly Pear is low in saturated fat, and its fiber and carbohydrate content can help prevent overeating.
8. Enhances Sleep Quality
Another benefit of Prickly Pear Cactus is that it can improve sleep quality. This is thanks to its magnesium content, which is a mineral known to induce drowsiness in individuals with insomnia, chronic anxiety, or restlessness. Prickly Pear also releases serotonin and increases melatonin levels in the body, promoting relaxation and better sleep.
EXCEPTION : Effects Consumption Cactue Pear
A person with the following conditions should not eat Cactus Pear or Prickly Pear fruit:
1. Allergy to fruit.
Cactus Pear or Prickly Pear contains proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to fruit. Common allergic reactions are skin rashes, itching, and swelling. In severe cases, allergic reactions can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction.
2. Digestive disorders.
Cactus Pear or Prickly Pear fruit contains high fiber. Fiber can help improve digestion, but it can also cause bloating, gas and diarrhea in people with digestive disorders.
3. Kidney disease.
Cactus Pear or Prickly Pear contains high levels of oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can form crystals that can build up in the kidneys and cause kidney stones. People with kidney disease, especially those with a history of kidney stones, should limit their consumption of Cactus Pear fruit.
The effects if someone eats too much Cactus Pear fruit are:
- - Digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
- - Allergic reactions, such as skin rashes, itching and swelling.
The following is the recommended amount of consumption of Cactus Pear fruit:
- * Adults: 1-2 Cactus Pears per day.
- * Children: 1/2-1 Cactus Pear per day.
If you have certain health conditions, such as allergies or digestive disorders, you should consult a doctor before consuming Cactus Pear fruit.
