Prickly Pear:

Prickly pear is the fruit of opuntia cactus. It is a super fruit known also as cactus fig, Indian fig, and nopal. One cup of prickly pear contains 14 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein.

Average calories: 60 per one cup of fruit.

Vitamins found in higher amounts: vitamins C, B2, B3 and B9.

Minerals found in higher amounts: magnesium, potassium, calcium, and copper.

Phytonutrients found in higher amounts and their health benefits: the phytonutrients in prickly pear are betalain, betanin and indicaxanthin. They are powerful antioxidant pigments found in beets and amaranth as well and used as natural food dyes.

Candicine and hordenine are other organic compounds found in prickly pears. Some species of prickly pears might contain psychoactive substances.

Reportedly, some health benefits of prickly pears are as follows:

– Contain powerful antioxidants.

– Have diuretic effects without significant loss of minerals and negative effects on blood pressure.

– Used in weight management.

– Useful in swelling and water weight gain.