Prickly pears are a refreshing fruit with fiber, vitamins and beneficial compounds . May help reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
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Thursday, December 19
Prickly pears can help decrease inflammation and benefit metabolic health
Prickly pears are the fruit of the nopal, a cactus native to Mexico . Both are edible, nutritious, and can offer health benefits. They provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and proteins. Prickly pears are sweet, fresh and juicy, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
Both the nopal and the tunas have been consumed since pre-Hispanic times . The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) points out that food was made with the plant, including desserts and drinks. They were also used to make oil, paper, glue and waterproofing.
These fruits with edible seeds wrap their pulp in a thick skin with small thorns, although this skin is easy of cut.
Prickly pears are usually consumed as fresh fruit and as a drink by mixing its juice in water. 341360558 With them jams, wine, alcohol and jams such as “tuna cheese” are also made.
Prickly pears are also beneficial as nopales. These fruits have been consumed as a natural remedy to treat various stomach diseases , colds, high cholesterol and also considered healthy for people with diabetes.
What does the prickly pear bring?
In addition to being hydrating. Prickly pears are a good source of fiber and other nutrients, among which magnesium and vitamin C stand out. They are also rich in flavonoids, antioxidant compounds and with anti-inflammatory properties.
A cup of prickly pears has 5.4 g of fiber, 20 mg (23% Daily Value), 1g Protein, 127 mg magnesium (30% of DV), also contribute 83 mg calcium (6% of DV) and 328 mg of potassium (7% of the DV). They are rich in water (87%) and low in calories (61).
Benefits of prickly pears
Prickly pears can help reduce inflammation
The fruits Nopal have a high content of compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as betalains, especially purple prickly pears. Studies have shown that the daily consumption of this fruit has caused a decrease in inflammatory markers . One of these studies was published in 2015 in the journal Antioxidants (Basel).
Prickly pears can help reduce blood sugar and fat levels
The consumption of prickly pear has shown positive effects on the reduction of blood sugar, cholesterol levels , as well as oxidative stress.
Studies suggest that the efficacy of prickly pear to reduce blood sugar would be related to its ability to bind with sugar in the intestine , according to the blog of the Shared Risk Trust in Mexico.
On 2018 Food Science & Nutrition published the results of a high-quality study with athletes who were given p provided 5 ounces (150 ml) of prickly pear juice per day, before and after intense exercise.
After 14 days of supplementation with prickly pear juice, participants recorded a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL (bad) as well as a reduction in oxidative stress . In addition, decreased muscle damage caused by endurance exercise.
With a flavor that is like a fusion between berries and melons, prickly pears are a very popular choice. healthy snack or complement in dishes.
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