A fruit consumed in France, but still little known, the prickly pear has significant nutritional advantages. With a high vitamin content and positive effects on intestinal transit, the prickly pear can be consumed without fear. In this article, Phytomisan gives you a complete overview of the benefits of prickly pear and its possible applications in everyday food.
What is prickly pear?
The prickly pear, which is sometimes found under the name of nopal nahuatl, is a fruit native to Mexico. It is produced by two types of fig trees found in North America. Over the decades, prickly pear cultivation spread to Europe and then to the rest of the world. If it was initially only found in North America, and more specifically in Mexico, it is today possible to find plantations of this fruit in North Africa, Oceania and even in France. France is also on the 15the world producer of prickly pears, far behind Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia which between them produce almost half of world production.
To be able to flourish as best as possible, the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indicia from its Latin name) must be planted in a warm space sheltered from the wind. As a result, the climatic conditions of North Africa correspond perfectly to the development of the tree that produces the fruit.
When picked, the prickly pear appears as a seeded fruit measuring between 3 and 8 centimeters. It can be red, orange, greenish or even white depending on the variety. In France, the prickly pear is mainly consumed as a fruit and sold in greengrocers’ stalls and even supermarkets.
But beyond its sweet taste, did you know that there are many benefits of prickly pear ? We explain all this to you.
What are the benefits of prickly pear?
Due to its composition, the prickly pear is a healthy product, good for the body and who has many benefits. In fact, for 100 grams of prickly pear, there are more than 87 grams of water and more than 4 grams of fiber. As a result, prickly pear is not only rich in fiber for the body, but also low in calories, because it is mainly composed of water. This fruit also has a significant contribution in various vitamins: A, B, C and E.
In daily use, the benefits of prickly pear are numerous:
hydration
Composed mainly of water at more than 85%, prickly pear is an excellent product for hydration. Associated with regular water consumption and in adequate quantities, this fruit can thus have positive effects on your skin and your organization.
The benefits of prickly pear on intestinal transit
Thanks to its high fiber content, prickly pear allows you to better regulate intestinal transit avoiding the risk of constipation. This may therefore be a natural treatment for constipation to consider.
antioxidant
Actively working on cell renewal, prickly pear is an excellent antioxidant. This is explained by its intake of vitamin C which plays a direct role on the consumer's immune system.
An ally in weight loss
Properly consumed, prickly pear can provide regulation of sugar levels and regulation of intestinal transit. Therefore, the benefits of prickly pear in a diet or dietary rebalancing are no longer to be proven!
How to consume prickly pear?
To enjoy the benefits of prickly pear on a daily basis and benefit from its antioxidant action and its vitamin intake, it is necessary to consume this product. Two main choices are then available to you: direct consumption of the fruit or its absorption in capsule form.
In the first case, you will have no difficulty finding prickly pears in commerce at the end of summer and during the fall. To consume it, you will then need to separate the skin from the fruit. This is generally done using a knife to pass under the skin. The helping hand is not easy to take. Be sure to remove any thorns still present on the fruit (from the cactus, the prickly pear stings!).
The other solution you can turn to is consuming prickly pear in the form of capsules. In this case, Phytomisan offers you capsules taking advantage of all the benefits of prickly pear. Our product Remince combines prickly pear and its excellent antioxidant properties with complementary vitamins and amino acids. A cure of our capsules based on prickly pear then allows strengthening the immune system, protect the body against toxins and, above all, promote weight loss as well as help to regulate your blood sugar level.
So, you now know all the benefits of prickly pear. This fruit has very interesting characteristics to take into account in your daily diet or as part of a diet.
If you want to lose weight, consider going through our Remince capsules from Phytomisan, specially designed to support you on this journey.