Accessed 12 Nov. More Definitions for prickly pear. See the full definition for prickly pear in the English Language Learners Dictionary. Nglish: Translation of prickly pear for Spanish Speakers. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Log in Sign Up. Save Word. Definition of prickly pear. Illustration of prickly pear prickly pear 1. Examples of prickly pear in a Sentence Recent Examples on the Web In Kobamirafo, which is in Androy, children huddle over a basket of prickly pear cactus fruit.
Clark, Los Angeles Times , 30 Sep. The prickly pear cactus has wide, flat, green pads or paddles that are commonly referred to as nopales. Nopales are edible and served in Mexican egg dishes , salads, tacos, and soups 1. The taste of nopales has been described as vegetal, slightly tart, and citrus-like 1. The small, oval fruit that grows on top of nopales is the prickly pear, also known as tuna. It varies in color and can be green, pink, red, purple, or yellow-orange 1.
The flesh of prickly pears is juicy, contains seeds, and has a sweet taste similar to that of watermelon. You can eat prickly pear flesh raw or cooked. Prickly pear flowers are also edible 1. As the name suggests, prickly pear fruit and pads have prickles on their exterior.
Known as glochids, they can stick to your hands and be very painful. Glochids need to be removed before consuming prickly pear 1. Since it mainly grows in desert environments, prickly pear is very common in Mexico and the American Southwest. In fact, prickly pear cactus is the state plant of Texas.
It is also grown in Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean 2. You can find prickly pear fruits and nopales at markets and grocery stores in these areas. They may also be imported to grocery stores in other locations, particularly Mexican food markets and grocery chains that carry unique fruits or ingredients.
Due to the many beneficial plant compounds and nutrients it contains, prickly pear was used in Mexican folk medicine to treat ulcers, liver conditions, and other issues. The potential medicinal properties of this cactus fruit continue to be explored 2 , 3. Prickly pear is the name of the oval fruit with prickly skin and juicy flesh that grows on top of cactus paddles.
The nutritional profile of prickly pears may vary slightly depending on the variety. One cup grams of raw prickly pear contains 4 :. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber , both of which are important for healthy digestion 4 , 5. The magnesium, potassium, and calcium in prickly pears are key nutrients for healthy blood pressure , while vitamin C plays an important role in immune system health 6 , 7.
Prickly pears also contain many beneficial plant compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and pigments, which act as antioxidants. Prickly pears are good sources of fiber and provide several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. Many of the purported benefits of prickly pear stem from its fiber and antioxidant content. The fiber in prickly pear cactus plants may aid weight loss by binding to dietary fat, increasing its excretion and reducing energy absorption 8 , 9.
A study including 20 healthy adults found that taking 2 tablets, each containing mg of cactus fiber, 3 times per day a total of 3 grams of cactus fiber daily after meals led to significantly more fecal fat excretion, compared with a placebo 9. The study authors concluded that these results supported the idea that cactus fiber could play a role in weight loss by reducing the amount of dietary fat available for absorption.
However, they did not measure weight loss in the participants 9. One week study noted that supplementing with cactus fiber led to greater weight loss, compared with a placebo 8. A typical prickly pear fruit contains more than three grams of fiber and is relatively low in calories, so you may see similar weight loss benefits.
However, more research is needed to understand how eating prickly pear may play a role in weight management 4. Eating prickly pear is often boasted as a way to get glowing skin and shiny hair. Variations of prickly pear are even added to hair conditioners and skin care products. Some of its compounds and nutrients, like vitamin C and betalain pigments, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Prickly pear also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially in the seeds and peel, which play a role in skin and hair health 10 , A small study including 18 healthy adults found that consuming grams of prickly pear fruit pulp twice daily for 2 weeks was comparable to a vitamin C supplement in regards to increasing blood levels of the antioxidant vitamins C and E and reducing oxidative stress The antioxidant boost from prickly pear may improve skin and hair health by protecting against damage to these areas caused by oxidative stress related to aging, inflammation, sun exposure, or other causes 12 , Keep the peeled interior resting on its skin and off the work surface in case loose glochids have been shed.
Next, slice and gobble it up. Or you can be patient and peel some more fruit, slice them, dress them with a squeeze of lime, and serve for dessert. All About This Sweet Fruit. What Is Prickly Pear? Marie Viljoen, Freelance Writer.
By Marie Viljoen February 19, Save Pin More. Comments Add Comment. Back to story Comment on this project. Tell us what you think Thanks for adding your feedback. All rights reserved. Close Sign in.
0コメント