Explore the benefits of nopales: these edible cactus tablets offer anti-inflammatory effects and may help manage blood sugar. Find out why this desert plant can be a nutritious addition to your diet.
To a cactus with menacing spikes and tough skin, you might not immediately think, “Yeah, that’s something I could eat.” But guess what? Some forms of cactus are edible, delicious, and very good for you!
Find out why it’s a good idea to go with nopales, a pear pillow cactus.
The nopal cactus, also known as prickly pear or opuntia, is bushy and flowery. cactus native to parts of Mexico, Arizona, the Mediterranean, Australia and other desert areas. It can be recognized by the large number of petals attached to the flower heads. (The flower in bloom looks a bit like a flat, green pawpaw.)
Nopales flowers are filled with a sticky substance and seeds that are often used in jams, jellies, pies, cakes and other desserts. But the stems, leaves, and whole stem (with the spines removed, obvs) are also edible. Traditional Mexican preparations include boiling, grilling, and baking.
Science is still exploring the potential benefits of nopales, so some of the health benefits are highly speculative. Here’s what we know about these desert fruits.
Has anti-inflammatory properties
Almost any time you see bright colors in edible fruits, it’s a sign that they contain antioxidants. This is absolutely true for Nopales!
older reads found that the fruit inside their flowers is rich in antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, phenols and a mixture of betacyanin and betaxanthin. These compounds help fight inflammation by scavenging harmful free radicals from your cells.
Can improve joint mobility
Because they fight inflammation, the antioxidants in pears can improve joint mobility. In a 2020 educationpeople who drank 3 ounces of pear juice every day for 8 weeks had better range of motion and ease of daily activities than a control group who drank a placebo.
It can help manage blood sugar
Research shows that nopales can help stabilize blood sugar. A 2014 study It found that people with type 2 diabetes who ate nopales with a high-carb breakfast had significantly lower blood sugar and insulin levels than those who didn’t. However, this study included only 14 participants.
In 2019, older a systematic review evaluated the potential of the fruit to regulate blood sugar. Although it found insufficient evidence to support the use of nopales to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, the authors noted that it can significantly reduce blood glucose levels.
It can support liver health
Showing your liver some love can include adding nopales (or a bottle of nopal juice) to your diet. according to research from 2023this is related to the effect of pears on triglycerides. By helping to reduce the accumulation of triglycerides, nopales can relieve stress on the liver.
Contains electrolytes
Whether you’ve consumed too much alcohol or suffered from an upset stomach, it’s important to replenish with a drink that contains electrolytes. Consider pear juice as your tailgate drink. It contains potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which help restore your electrolyte levels.
Forms and doses of nopal cactus
If you can track down fresh nopales where you live, cooking them yourself is a fun (if somewhat complicated) way to reap its benefits. Otherwise, look for pear products, such as juices, making sure to check for added sugar.
You can also get extra. Nopales supplements usually contain 500-650 milligrams (mg) per day.
