Is Prickly pear cactus juice good for you?

Prickly pear cactus — or also known as nopal, opuntia and other names — is promoted for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. It’s also touted for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

How long does prickly pear cactus syrup last?

Prickly Pear Simple Syrup (40% sugar) Heat over medium heat and bring to a boil. Add prickly pear juice and lemon juice and stir for one minute, then remove from heat. Use immediately or store in a refrigerator (up to 5 days) or freezer (up to 12 months) in a sealed container.

What is pear cactus used for?

Only the young plant is eaten; older plants are too tough. Prickly pear cactus is also used for medicine. Prickly pear cactus is used for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, alcohol hangover, colitis, diarrhea, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). It is also used to fight viral infections.

Can you drink prickly pear cactus juice?

Known to few, the fruit of the nopales cactus (cacti with beaver tail-like paddles), are actually quite edible. Called prickly pears, these neon fruits provide delicious juice that tastes like a cross between all-natural bubble gum (if indeed there is such a thing) and watermelon.

Is cactus good for kidneys?

Nopal should be avoided in pregnant and nursing women and in people with kidney disease. Side effects may include abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and nausea. It should be used with caution in subjects on antidiabetic medications (one case report).

Is prickly pear good for your liver?

Liver health Prickly pear has been historically used to treat liver problems, and some modern studies back this idea. It’s thought that the antioxidant compounds in prickly pear help protect against inflammation and oxidative stress that can damage the liver ( 11 ).

Does prickly pear syrup need to be refrigerated?

For a syrup that will be shelf stable, add an equal amount of granulated sugar to your prickly pear juice. If you like things less sweet, you can add less, but the resulting syrup will not last as long and will need to be refrigerated.

What does prickly pear syrup taste like?

What does prickly pear syrup taste like? It’s beautifully sweet and fruity, and has a bright magenta color. Some people say it tastes like bubble gum. It’s sweet tart with notes of watermelon and raspberry.

What are the health benefits of cactus?

A study found that eating cactus can reduce body fat, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Incorporating cactus fruits into your diet can help reduce the risk of diseases like stroke, coronary heart disease, and peripheral vascular diseases.

Is Prickly pear juice good for your liver?

Does cactus juice make you lose weight?

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) fiber was shown to promote weight loss in a 3-month clinical investigation. As demonstrated by in vitro studies, cactus fiber binds to dietary fat and its use results in reduced absorption, which in turn leads to reduced energy absorption and ultimately the reduction of body weight.