The prickly pear: effect on your body and beauty
The prickly pear is a type of fruit that grows on the edges of the plates of a certain type of cactus (Nopales cacti). This type of cactus includes more than 200 different species, some of which are unfit for human consumption.
Prickly pear fruits have a cylindrical shape and the outer shell of the fruit contains some spines, and the color of the prickly pear shell and pulp is initially green, and the pulp of the prickly pear changes from the inside to yellow and red tones as the fruits mature.
- The prickly pear is a perennial plant belonging to stemless or short-stemmed plants.
- The prickly pear is bushy or treelike and reaches a height of 5.5 m (18 ft).
- Prickly pear has large yellow flowers 7.5 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) wide.
- Prickly pear fruits appear white, yellow, or reddish-purple, depending on the variety.
- Prickly pear is widely grown in warmer regions for fruit, edible paddles, and as a forage crop.
- The prickly pear produces beautiful yellow flowers in summer, which then give way to large fleshy and edible fruits.
- When the prickly pear matures, it will have soft skin and hair with tiny spikes (thorns).
- Prickly pear, in species that produce young, nutritious fruits (stem pads, also called drupes), which are used as a vegetable.
- Prickly pears are divided into three components that can be used commercially: seeds, skin, and pulp
Nutritional value of prickly pear
The nutritional value of aloe vera fruit is high. It contains sugars, fiber, proteins, and vitamins (A, C, K, and B6), and also contains the following acids: citric, malic, and oxalic.
Aloe vera or prickly pear is characterized by the presence of various minerals, including phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and copper.
Each prickly pear contains about 42 calories, and one serving contains less than one gram of fat. Therefore, prickly pear is suitable for those who want to lose weight.
for 100gr
Calories: 42
Protein: 1g
Fat: 0.5 g.
Carbohydrates: 10 g.
Fiber: 4 grams.
Magnesium: 85mg.
Phosphorus: 24 mg.
Potassium: 220mg.
Sodium: 5mg.
Calcium: 56mg.
Selenium: 0.6 mcg.
Vitamin C: 14mg.
Niacin: 0.46 mg.
Iron: 0.3mg.
Zinc: 0.12mg
Types of prickly pear
1- Vagayokan
This variety originated in Mexico, as a result of hybridization between Indian figs and some wild models. The fruit is green, weighing 187 grams, the percentage of the pulp is 61%, and the percentage of soluble solids is 14%. It ripens in July - August.
2- Al-Jiriyan
One of the most prominent varieties of prickly pear appeared in South Africa. The fruit is dark pink in color, with an average weight of about 110 grams, and the pulp represents about 56% of the total weight of the fruit, and the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 12%. The fruits ripen in January - February.
3- Amarilla
Of the varieties that appeared in Argentina, the Indian fig type follows, the fruit is yellow in color, weighing 160 grams, and the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 15%.
4- Amarilla Huesona
One of the Indian prickly pear varieties appeared in Mexico, the fruit is yellowish-brown, weighing 143 grams, the pulp represents 58% of the fruit, the percentage of soluble solids is 15%, and it ripens in August - September.
5- Dianka
One of the most prominent varieties of prickly pears that appeared in Italy, and follows the Indian prickly pear, the fruit is a light cream color, weighing 123 grams, the percentage of the pulp is 68% of the weight of the fruit, the percentage of total soluble solids is 15%, it ripens in August - November.
6- Blanca de Castilla
It originated in Mexico, and it is one of the varieties that resulted from the cross-breeding of the Indian prickly pear and some other wild models, its color is green, it weighs 148 grams, and the pulp represents about 55% of the weight of the fruit, the percentage of soluble solids is 14%, it ripens in August - November.
7- Plumoto
This variety originated in South Africa, its color is light yellow, the average weight of the fruit is about 140 grams, and the pulp represents about 51% of the total weight of the fruit, the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 12%, it ripens in February - March.
8- Boruna
It originated in Mexico, one of the varieties that resulted from the cross-breeding of the Indian prickly pear and some wild models. Its color is green, large in size, its average weight is 205 grams, and the pulp represents 65% of the fruit. The percentage of total soluble substances is 13%. It ripens in September - October.
9- Castello
This variety originated in South Africa, the fruit is light brown, with an average weight of about 114 grams, the pulp represents about 52% of the total weight of the fruit, the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp reaches 14%, ripening in February - March
10- Chaipeda
Of the varieties that appeared in Mexico, it resulted from the cross-breeding of the Indian prickly pear and some wild models. The fruit is green, weighing 128 grams, and the pulp represents 52% of the weight of the fruit. The percentage of total soluble solids is 14%. It ripens in July-August.
11- Fresno
The original home of this variety is South Africa, the color of the fruit is whitish yellow, the weight of the fruit is about 147 grams, the pulp represents 55% of the total weight of the fruit, and the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 14%, it ripens in January - February.
12- Jillala
One of the pioneering varieties that originated in Italy, the plants push on late flowering, the fruit is yellowish-orange, weighing 125 grams, the pulp in which reaches 65% of the total weight of the fruit, the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is about 14%, it ripens in August - November.
13- Jimno Carbohydrate
The South African region is the original home of this variety, the color of the fruit is yellow, it weighs 126 grams, the pulp represents about 52% of the total weight of the fruit, the pulp contains 12% total soluble solids, ripening in February - March.
14- Mexican
It grows in Mexico, the color of the fruit is light green, weighing 139 grams, the pulp represents about 54% of the weight of the kidneys of fruit, and the pulp contains 14% of total soluble solids, ripening in January - February.
15- Morado
The original home of this variety is South Africa, the fruit is pale yellow, weighing 114 grams, the pulp represents 48% of the total weight of the fruit, the pulp contains 13% of total soluble solids, ripening in January - February.
16- Naranja
Of the varieties belonging to the Indian prickly pear, which originated in Argentina, the fruit is yellow, with an average weight of 130 grams, and the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 12%.
17- Niagara
The original home of this variety is South Africa, the fruit is whitish yellow in color, weighing 147 grams, the pulp represents about 47% of the total weight of the fruit, the pulp contains about 13% of total soluble solids, ripening in January - February.
18- Nodoza
This variety originated in South Africa, the fruit is reddish-brown at maturity, weighing 175 grams, the pulp represents about 47% of this weight, and the pulp contains 11% of total soluble solids, ripening in January - February.
19- Over
One of the varieties that appeared in Israel, the color of the fruit is yellow, its average weight is about 116 grams, the pulp represents about 55% of the total weight of the fruit, and the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 14%, it ripens in July - August.
20- Aws Cap
The original home of this variety is South Africa, the color of the fruit is greenish-white, weighing about 151 grams on average, the pulp represents 49% of the total weight of the fruit, and the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 14%, it ripens in January - February.
21- Roja Bellona
Of the colorful varieties of the Indian prickly pear, the fruit is crimson red, weighing 116 grams, the pulp makes up 55% of the weight of the fruit, the percentage of total soluble solids is 14%, and it ripens in July - August, the original home of this variety is Mexico.
22- Rosada
The fruit is red in color, the average weight is 140 grams, and the percentage of total soluble solids in the pulp is 13%. This variety originated in Argentina
and follows the Indian prickly pear.
23- Rosa
Of the varieties that appeared in Italy, plants push on late flowering, followed by the Indian prickly pear type, the fruit is red, medium in size, weighing 127 grams, the pulp represents 53% of the weight of the fruit, the percentage of total soluble solids is 15%, it ripens in August - November.
prickly pear benefits
1-for weight loss.
Many are looking for solutions to treat obesity and many people may benefit from adding prickly pears to their diet because prickly pear helps to lose weight for the following reasons:
Prickly pear is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol and packed with vitamins and minerals; This makes it nutritious and a good option for weight loss.
Prickly pear's benefits for weight loss include being low in calories; It contains only 42 calories and its sweet taste meets human needs without gaining weight.
Compared to most fruits, prickly pears contain very few carbohydrates; It contains only about 10 grams.
The antioxidants in prickly pear help lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol in the blood and can also reduce body fat.
The fiber in this fruit binds dietary fats and reduces their absorption. This leads to weight loss, and fiber also reduces appetite and increases satiety, making it easier for a person to cut calories and stick to the diet.
2-Benefits of prickly pear for the colon
Prickly pear helps maintain intestinal and colon health as it contains many nutrients that are very beneficial for digestive health, such as:
- Dietary fiber: the fruit of the prickly pear contains a large amount of dietary fiber, which increases the volume of feces; Helping food pass easily through the digestive system, relieving constipation and bloating.
- Antioxidants: One of the benefits of prickly pear for the colon is that it contains antioxidants such as betalain, which works to eliminate free radicals, thus purifying and protecting the colon. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps prevent many inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease which affect the intestines and colon
The benefits of prickly pear for joints
Prickly pear helps prevent and reduce inflammation, especially in conditions such as arthritis, gout, and muscle fatigue; Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and other inflammatory markers were significantly reduced in people who ate prickly pear fruit twice a day, while antioxidant levels increased.Researchers attribute these findings to the vitamins and antioxidants naturally found in prickly pears, such as betalain, kaempferol, and carotenoids; Because betalain relieves arthritis pain at an incredible rate.
Benefits of prickly pear for the skin
Antioxidant properties: Oxidative damage is the main cause and most important factor of skin aging. Therefore, the antioxidant chemical compounds present in the prickly pear provide a good defense mechanism against premature aging symptoms such as wrinkles and brown spots on the skin.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Thistle contains anti-inflammatory compounds. Betalain and phenol compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and help reduce swelling and irritation caused by insect bites or scrapes when applied topically.
Wound healing properties: prickly pear also contains phenolic compounds in good concentrations that help in repairing damaged skin, healing wounds, and healing scars.
Benefits of prickly pear for diabetics
Prickly pear helps prevent type 2 diabetes and also helps control blood sugar. Prickly pear contains large amounts of water-soluble fiber and also contains pectin, and these components affect the absorption of glucose from the intestine and also help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels.
It should be noted that prickly pear is not a cure for diabetes, on the contrary, it helps to control blood sugar and a diabetic should stick to the medications he is taking and not quit them.
The benefits of prickly pear for pregnant women
Despite the health benefits of prickly pear, we don't have enough information to prove whether it's safe to eat prickly pear while pregnant. As there is not enough research on the benefits of prickly pear for pregnant women and its side effects during pregnancy, it is recommended that pregnant women consult their doctor before taking prickly pear or food supplements containing them.
Prickly pear oil:
is an oil obtained from the hard seeds of a prickly pear? This is a high-quality 100% natural oil. Its color is yellow-green and sticky. Because it is high in vitamin B5, essential fatty acids, omega-6s, antioxidants, and many essential minerals, it is used as a key ingredient in many natural face and l. The oils are safe and do not contain dyes, preservatives, or chemicals that can harm the skin in the long run.
The prickly pear seed oil contains the highest amount of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce free radical damage and reduce the cellular aging process, thus helping to hide expression lines.
The prickly pear seed oil also contains high levels of linoleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid that helps moisturize the skin, while fig seed oil helps treat acne and skin, pimples, and dark circles.
One of the most famous physical properties of prickly pear oil is that it belongs to the group of so-called dry oils, that is, it does not have a greasy effect on the skin and is absorbed very quickly, making it the perfect medium. for the realization of the active ingredients of the principles for the dermis and parenchyma. Thanks to its penetrating feature, it is highly preferred in restoring the elasticity of the tissues as it affects all three skin layers at the same time.
The effect of prickly pear on beauty
Major cosmetics companies are rushing to produce a variety of materials with additional properties that help fight or hide wrinkles. On the other hand, nature offers us several natural materials capable of giving us the same results without fear of collateral damage. Among these is the prickly pear.
A rare and precious oil obtained from the seeds of the prickly pear native to the Mediterranean. According to the French health magazine Doctessimo, this oil is very rich in sterols, omega-6, and vitamin E, and is ideal for fighting wrinkles and caring for hair and skin.
The French magazine Petit Chigé reported that the prickly pear originated in Latin America, noting that today it has become popular mainly in the Mediterranean basin. It is obtained from the seeds of the pits of the fruits of the tree.
The magazine adds that prickly pear oil is suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin. It also perfectly nourishes and nourishes the hair, heals damage, strengthens the nails and gives them shine.
According to Doctissimo magazine, prickly pear oil can be used in day or night care, explaining that its use in the evening increases the chances of benefiting from its beneficial properties by applying it to clean skin. Simply apply a few drops to the face then gently massage in circular motions to leave the face looking radiant.
In terms of hair benefits, an article in Doctissimo magazine confirms that this rare oil nourishes the hair and makes it shinier. Applying ten drops to affected ends and strands 30 minutes before shampooing will help heal and add shine.
The French magazine "Beauty Chigé" claimed that regular use of prickly pear oil helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, dark spots, and rosacea. Pregnant women also use it to prevent or reduce stretch marks caused by the expansion of the abdomen and the stretching of its skin.
Botty Chigi magazine listed the difficulties of obtaining a prickly pear magazine and stated that it takes a whole ton of prickly pear seeds to produce a single liter of oil. A reminder of the difficulty of picking up these prickly fruits and peeling them to access their inner seeds.
The magazine absolutely recommends choosing an oil that is 100% pure and natural. Its high price makes it a rarity. The magazine also explained that the oil can be stored for up to two years in the dark and at room temperature.
This fruit contains a unique combination of nutrients, including high levels of vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper and fiber, which provide incredible health and disease prevention benefits.