What Is Nopal Cactus Good For?

Prickly pear fruit

Nopal cactus is more commonly known as the prickly pear. For centuries, people have eaten the pulp and drank juice from the fruit of the nopal cactus. Nopal cactus is rich in antioxidants. In the past, it was used to treat a variety of conditions from asthma to snake bites.

Historic Uses

Nopal cactus is native to Mexico, where people have been using it as a source of nourishment and for medicinal purposes for a long time. It was once thought to be an effective treatment for skin ailments, hemorrhoids and liver disease.

Modern Research

Today, prickly pear supplements are marketed as a treatment for diabetes. While it is unclear whether prickly pear contains chemicals that block the absorption of glucose, Nopal cactus is high in fiber, and fiber does have hypoglycemic properties.

Culinary uses

The fruit of the Nopal cactus is slightly sweet and acidic. It is used to make beverages, jellies and jams.

Eating the Paddles

The stems, or paddles, of Nopal cactus can be eaten as a vegetable. After the spines are removed, they can be sliced or diced and cooked like green beans.

Nutritional properties

In addition to being a good source of fiber, Nopal cactus paddles are high in potassium and calcium and provide Vitamins A, B, and C. They can be purchased whole or processed as frozen or jarred vegetables.

References

• Prickly Pear Cactus
• Harvesting & Processing Prickly Pear Fruit
• Part Fruit, Part Vegetable