How to Eat Prickly Pears What are the Benefits and Harms?

Do you like pear? Or the thorny one. Although they are both different fruits, they share the same name. Only one has thorns extra.

prickly pear, a fruit belonging to the cactus family. Native to South America. Although it looks scary, it tastes good. prickly pearflour has many health benefits.

What is a prickly pear?

prickly pear, a fruit that grows on the leaves of the Nopales cactus, belonging to the genus Opuntia. Its scientific name is Opuntia ficus-indica. 

prickly pearA cylindrical fruit with a soft inner flesh and a hard outer shell. It is initially green and turns reddish-pink as it matures. Its taste watermelonis a mixture of raspberry and cucumber It has a similar smell.

Prickly pear nutritional value

Nutritional profile of prickly pear, depending on the variety. It is a good source of fiber and contains many vitamins and minerals. One cup (149 grams) nutritional content of raw prickly pear is as follows:

• Calories: 61
• Protein: 1 grams
• Fat: 1 grams
• Carbohydrates: 14 grams
• Fiber: 5 grams
• Magnesium: 30% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin C: 23% of the DV
• Potassium: 7% of the DV
• Calcium: 6% of the DV

What are the Benefits of Prickly Pear?

Lower cholesterol

• prickly pearlowers the cholesterol level in the blood. 
• pectin fiber It helps to remove LDL cholesterol from the body with its content.

inhibiting cancer growth

• prickly pearThe flavonoid compounds in fish reduce the risk of breast, prostate, stomach, pancreatic, ovarian, cervical and lung cancers. 
• It inhibited the growth of cancer cells in laboratory and mouse models. 

ulcer development

• prickly pearhas a positive effect on the gastric mucosa.
• Regulates mucus production in the stomach and ulcer reduces the risk of developing.

Blood sugar control

• prickly pearIt lowers high blood sugar levels due to its hypoglycemic activity. 
• Once the blood sugar level is under control, type II diabetes is prevented and effectively controlled.

colon cleansing

• prickly pearThe high fiber content of flour not only lowers cholesterol, but also regulates the overall functioning of the colon. 
• prickly pearAntioxidants in it cleanse and protect the colon by eliminating free radicals and compounds that cause inflammation.

stomach relief

• prickly pear, maintains digestive health and constipation Prevents. 
• The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in this fruit soothe the stomach.

Hangover

• This fruit has the ability to reduce the effects of hangovers. 
• prickly pear juiceIt reduces the production of inflammatory mediators that cause discomfort after alcoholic beverages. 
• Nausea ve dry mouth relieves symptoms as well.

boosting immunity

• prickly pearun C vitamin Its content enhances the body's immune response to various infections. 
• It increases the production of white blood cells, which undertake the process of killing and removing infectious microorganisms from the body.

Colon cancer

• prickly pear flavonoids, quercetinContains various antioxidants such as , gallic acid, phenolic compounds, betacyanins. 
• Their antioxidant activity was tested in colon cancer cells and it was found that the viability of the cells decreased.

Heart health

• prickly pearThe fiber content of flour helps to lower cholesterol and maintain blood pressure. 
• These factors reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and other heart diseases.

Hypertension

• prickly pearIt is rich in potassium mineral.
• Regularly eating prickly pearmaintains normal blood pressure level and hypertensionit prevents.

Osteoporosis

• prickly pear great, arthritis, fibromyalgia and flavonoids that prevent the release of compounds that cause inflammation of joints and muscles caused by allergies. 
• Therefore, it is effective in alleviating osteoporosis, an inflammatory disease.

Reducing migraine frequency

• Migraineis an inflammatory condition that causes severe headaches along with digestive and visual disturbances. 
• If this fruit is consumed frequently, it reduces the intensity and frequency of migraine pain, thanks to its compounds that reduce inflammation.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

• Premenstrual syndrome It causes an increase in the levels of prostaglandins (hormone-like chemicals) in the body.
• prickly pearIt is known to inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, thereby relieving PMS symptoms.

bones and teeth

• Our teeth and bones calciumconsists of
• prickly pear With its calcium content, it strengthens our bones and teeth.

Nail health

• prickly pear oilUsed to moisturize dry and damaged nails. It protects the health of the cuticles.
• Linoleic acid, oleic acid and moisturizing fatty acids such as palmitic acid.

Does prickly pear weaken?

• prickly pearContains fiber that will make you feel full for a long time. 
• It helps to remove fats from the body by binding and removing them from the system. 
• Since the intestines do not absorb the fat taken from the food, this fruit has a great role in weight loss.

What are the benefits of prickly pear for the skin?

The benefits of the fruit on skin and hair are generally prickly pear oilIt comes from. 

• It contains vitamins E and K and a good amount of fatty acids that soften and nourish the skin. With this content, it prevents the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
• Insect bites, scrapes, psoriasis and swelling and irritation from inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis, prickly pear oildecreases with the use of
• This oil nourishes the skin and removes dullness. Protects the skin from UV radiation.
• prickly pear oil heals cut wounds, scars and other imperfections with regular use.
• prickly pear oil, dark circles and under eye circles illuminates. 

What are the benefits of prickly pear for hair?

• prickly pear oil, Vitamin E content It nourishes the hair and scalp.
• Restores hair's natural shine.
• Reduces hair loss

How to eat prickly pear?

Eating prickly pear fruit peel off the skin. Eat the meat pulp contained in it. Pay attention to the thorns when handling the fruit, and the seeds when eating. 

prickly pearIt is consumed as fruit juice by squeezing the flour juice. Fruit jam and jelly are made.

What are the harms of prickly pear?

• stomach upset, diarrhea, bloating and headache are the most common known side effects.
• Because of its diuretic property, it can interfere with the body's ability to absorb certain medications.
• Pregnant or lactating women should not do anything as it may hinder the development of the fetus or child. prickly pear should not eat.