Plant-based dietary additives are becoming more popular as they’re affordable and offer less side effects than some traditional medications. One such plant being used is the prickly pear cactus, which is native to Central America and the Southwestern United States. In these regions, prickly pears have been traditionally used as herbal remedies for their potential health benefits such as:
- Inflammation reduction
- Antimicrobial properties
- Antioxidant content
- Neuroprotectivity
- Hypoglycemic effects
One of the chronic diseases that people have used prickly pears to manage is type 2 diabetes. So, are prickly pears a cost-effective way to manage your diabetes at home?
It is not fully understood how exactly prickly pear cladodes reduce blood sugar levels. Some suspect that their high fiber content increases the thickness of food in the gut, which slows the absorption and release of sugar into the bloodstream. Other studies have even suggested that they act directly on pancreatic beta cells to stimulate the production of insulin. This increased production of insulin therefore removes sugar from the blood at a higher rate.
While more research is needed to fully understand prickly pears as a treatment for diabetes, current literature suggests it has a temporary effect on lowering blood sugar levels. Prickly pears should not be used to treat diabetes nor relied on to regulate hyperglycemia. However, they are safe to consume without any notable health effects. Cladodes are typically consumed as a vegetable in salads, soups, and stews. Alternatively, cladode powder is an easy additive to meals that doesn’t alter flavor. Be sure to check with your doctor first to make sure there are no interactions with any of your current medications or other conditions if you want to try prickly pear.
Want to learn more about managing diabetes? Check out these resources:
References:
Gouws, C. A., Georgousopoulou, E. N., Mellor, D. D., McKune, A., & Naumovski, N. (2019). Effects of the consumption of prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.) and its products on blood glucose levels and insulin: A systematic review. Medicina, 55(5), 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55050138
Kashif, R. R., D’Cunha, N. M., Mellor, D. D., Alexopoulos, N. I., Sergi, D., & Naumovski, N. (2022). Prickly pear cacti (Opuntia spp.) cladodes as a functional ingredient for hyperglycemia management: A brief narrative review. Medicina, 58(2), 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58020300
Sabtain, B., Farooq, R., Shafique, B., Ranjha, M. M. A. N., Mahmood, S., Mueen-Ud-Din, G., Irfan, S., Shehzadi, K., Rubab, Q., Asad, L., & Ishfaq, M. (2021). A narrative review on the phytochemistry, nutritional profile and properties of prickly pear fruit. Open Access Journal of Biogeneric Science and Research, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.46718/jbgsr.2021.07.000164
Authors:
- Abbie Pollitzer, UPIC Intern, Rural Health and Nutrition
- Melissa Bales, Rural Health and Nutrition, Extension Associate
