6 of the most important amazing benefits of prickly pears
The prickly pear is an oval-shaped fruit with a hard outer shell with thorns. Despite its unusual appearance, the prickly pear has a delicious taste and many nutritional benefits.
In addition, prickly pear contains small amounts of carbohydrates, provides the body with very few calories, and can be added to low-carb diets.
In this article, learn about the benefits and potential harms of prickly pear.
Calories in prickly pear
The nutritional value of aloe vera is high, as it contains sugars, fiber, proteins, and vitamins (A, C, K, and B6), and it also contains the following acids: citric acid, apple acid, and oxalic acid.
Cactus or prickly pear is distinguished by its various minerals, including:
- Phosphorous.
- Calcium.
- Potassium.
- Magnesium.
- Iron.
- Copper.
Each prickly pear fruit contains approximately 42 calories, and one serving contains less than one gram of fat, so prickly pear is suitable for people who want to lose weight.
As for the benefits, there are many benefits to the prickly pear, and below we mention a number of them.
Benefits of prickly pear for slimming
Many are looking for solutions to treat obesity, and many can benefit from adding prickly pear to diets, as prickly pear helps to lose weight for the following reasons:
Prickly pear is extremely low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and full of vitamins and minerals. Which makes it nutritious and a good choice for losing weight.
One of the benefits of prickly pear for slimming is that it is also low in calories. It provides only 42 calories, and its sweet taste satisfies the individual's cravings without gaining weight.
Compared to most fruits, prickly pear is very low in carbohydrates. it contains only about 10 g of it.
The antioxidants in prickly pear help reduce levels of triglycerides and harmful cholesterol in the blood, and they are also able to reduce body fat levels.
The fiber in this fruit binds to dietary fat, and reduces its absorption; Which leads to weight loss, and fiber also reduces appetite and increases the feeling of fullness, which makes it easier for the individual to reduce calories and adhere to his diet.
The benefits of prickly pear for the colon
Prickly pear helps maintain the health of the intestines and colon, as it contains many nutrients that are very beneficial for the health of the digestive system, such as:
Dietary fiber: prickly pear fruit contains a large level of dietary fiber, which works to increase stool volume. To help food pass through the digestive system easily, eliminating constipation and bloating.
Antioxidants: The benefits of prickly pear for the colon lie in the fact that it contains antioxidants, such as betalain, which works to get rid of free radicals, thus cleansing and protecting the colon. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and helps prevent many inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease, which affects the intestines and colon.
Benefits of prickly pear for joints
Prickly pear helps prevent and reduce inflammation, especially in conditions such as arthritis, gout, and muscle strains. Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (CRF), and other markers of inflammation, were significantly reduced in people who ate prickly pear twice daily, while simultaneously increasing antioxidant levels.
The vitamins and antioxidants that are found naturally in prickly pear, such as betalain, kaempferol, and carotenoids, are responsible for the benefits of prickly pear for joints, as betalain relieves arthritis pain by an amazing percentage.
One of the benefits of prickly pear leaves for joints in traditional medicine is that they were mashed and placed topically on inflamed parts of the body, and were also used to relieve the pain of insect bites.
Benefits of prickly pear for skin
Prickly pear has many nutritional properties that make it very beneficial for the skin. Here are the most important benefits of prickly pear for the skin:
ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES: Oxidative damage is the primary cause and most important contributor to skin aging; Therefore, the antioxidant chemical compounds in prickly pear provide a good defense mechanism against premature aging symptoms such as wrinkles and brown spots on the skin.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Prickly pear contains anti-inflammatory compounds. The betalain and phenolic compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and also help reduce swelling and irritation from insect bites or scratches when applied topically.
Wound healing properties: Prickly pear also contains phenolic compounds in good concentrations, which have effects that help repair damaged skin, heal wounds, and treat scars.
