This time of year, in the desert, when magenta colored fruits begin to replace yellow blossoms on top of green cactus pads. Even though you will see these prickley pear or nopal cactus as far away as Israel, it is not a native. It's only native to the southwestern United States down through Mexico. It was spread to other hot and dry parts of the world during the colonial age. On it's home turf, North America, the plant was really important to ancient Native American cultures. Aztec legend states that Aztec civilization, started at the foot of prickly pear cactus stand. The story goes that a group of Aztec men saw an eagle perched in a prickly pair cactus with a snake in it's beak. The eagle had overcome the snake.
They
took this as an omen that they too would overcome their adversaries,
and in reverence for the vision they built their capital on the site of
the vision. The prickly pear fruit is a rich source of magnesium, and
the amino acid taurine, nutrients important to brain, and heart health.
Prickly pear cactus is a rich source of flavanoids. These flavanoids are
responsible for its health-enhancing benefits. Traditional Indian
tribes have used prickly pear cactus as a food item, and a medicinal
plant for centuries. The desert climate makes agriculture difficult in
the absence of irrigation technologies. Out of necessity, prickly pear
cactus was used as a food item by ancient Indian tribes. It has been
used to make jellies, soups, pickles, and even cheese type products.
Medicinally, prickly pear cactus has been used to heal superficial
wounds, like cuts, and scrapes. Like Aloe Vera, it is usually applied
topically.
Fast
forward to 2017 and you'll find that modern science has uncovered the
reasons for the many health benefits of prickly pear cactus. Studies
show that in addition to being able to heal minor cuts and wounds,
prickly pear cactus can protect the immune system, and prevent oxidative
stress by acting as a scavenger of free radicals. This tough fruit is
high in antioxidants, and may contain the highest amount of betalains
known in the plant kingdom. Betalains are phytonutrients that can kill
destructive free radicals in the body and stimulate the immune system by
supporting the formation of stress recovery proteins. The free radical
fighters in prickly pear also support the liver with detox abilities.
It's antioxidant action will protect cells, and organs, slow the aging
process, and help prevent disease. Recent studies the scientific
community have also validated traditional uses. For example, a prickly
pear extract was traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory. In tests
with rats, the extract inhibited experimentally induced joint
inflammation. Researchers found that this anti-inflammatory effect was
at least partly due to a potent inhibition of white blood cell migration
into sites of inflammation and the suppression of white blood cell
release of inflammation causing compounds. Looks like the Aztecs,
followed by the Spanish missionaries, and then the cowboys, were all
smart users of various parts of the prickly pear to cure both chronic
joint problems, and out on the range accidents. A French research
scientist, Gilles Gutierrez, believes that prickly pear is much more
than a remedy for arthritic joints, and thrown out backs. He feels it is
the ideal supplement for anyone leading an active life. At his
institute in Malta, Gutierrez established that professional athletes
were able to go longer and harder while using a prickly pear extract.
Even more importantly, they recovered from strenuous exercise more
rapidly when taking the pear. According to Gutierrez, the key to this
action is prickly pears ability to stimulate the production of the
bodies natural restorative compounds. During stressful exercise the body
produces compounds known as heat shock proteins. These compounds help
the body heal itself after a work out. The researcher has established
that the body synthesizes more heat shock proteins when dosed with his
prickly pear extract. 
Additionally,
prickly pear cactus can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and this
will help lower blood pressure and the workload placed upon the heart,
and strain on other organs like your eyes. A 2003 medical study
published by Nuclear Medicine Review: Central and Eastern Europe
demonstrated that ten patients with high blood cholesterol levels were
given dietary counseling for six weeks, then asked to eat prickly pear
cactus for six weeks. The scientists found that these patients' livers
were able to handle the regulation of LDL cholesterol significantly
better by eating prickly pear cactus. A 2004 clinical study published in
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences states that the betalains in
prickly pear were clearly demonstrated to protect vascular endothelial
cells from the free radical effects of redox alteration from cytokines,
the "signal" proteins that regulate the immune system. 
Not
surprisingly, recently athletes have turned to prickly pear cactus to
get more energy in the gym, to reduce post-exercise muscle soreness, to
speed recovery and to reduce the chances of getting DOMS (delayed onset
muscle soreness). Prickly pear extract has proven remarkably useful as
an ergogenic recovery aide. In addition to its effects on exercise and
recovery, prickly pear cactus has shown promise as a diabetes treatment.
Clinical trials have shown that it helps stabilize blood sugar levels,
and is effective for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. The effects of
prickly pear cactus on alcohol consumption are equally impressive. I see
also that research has shown that it can help reduce the effects of
excessive alcohol consumption because of it's ability to cut
inflammation. Anyone can benefit from supplementing with prickly pear
cactus, but especially diabetics, the obese, and athletes. You can buy
the pads at small markets, and cut them up for your salads, or eat the
fruits or jellies made from them. The fruit of the nopal cactus, tastes
like a cross between bubblegum and watermelon. As always if under a
doctors care or prescription medications check with your doctor.
Otherwise give this ancient plant a try, and power up a workouts, speed
your recovery, and detox your body. Good Luck...Doc's Fitness Tip's Publishes Twice Weekly.
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