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Prickly pear is another name for tuna fruit, which is not to be mistaken with this marine fish. Opuntia is the scientific name for a fruit that develops around the Nopales cactus.
Puntia (prickly pear) is a versatile dietary source. Both of them, the pads (nopales) as well as the fruits (tunas), are edible, but harvesting and preparation should be done with caution.
The fruit from specific cactus types is referred to as tuna fruit. This unusual fruit is indigenous to dry places, most notably Mexico and parts of the Americas. The fruits are extremely sweet and may be eaten right off the tree.
They range from green (somewhat acidic) to red (extremely sweet). Some of them are even orange.
Benefits of tuna fruits
1) Enhances mental health
Owing to its rich folate profile, it functions as an antidepressant and hence decreases stress. A lack of folate may result in the development of severe depression. Similarly, having a folate shortage or malabsorption problem is linked to a poor reaction to antidepressant drugs.
2) Weight loss benefits
The tuna fruit may satisfy your sweet craving while also helping you reach your weight-loss objectives. This fruit's fiber interacts with dietary fat and limits absorption, resulting in weight loss.
Fiber also reduces appetite and promotes fullness, making it simpler to lose weight and stick to a diet.
3) Manages cholesterol levels
Keeping with the weight loss theme, prickly pear may additionally reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Its fiber (pectin) concentration may be to blame for this, as it aids in the elimination of LDL cholesterol through the body.
Experiments have revealed that eating prickly pear can lower both plasma and liver cholesterol levels.
4) Enhanced immunity system
Prickly pear is packed with vitamin C and magnesium. The nutrients are key for your immune and nervous systems, as well as for your skin, heart, and other organs. A lot of people, especially older adults, are lacking these vital minerals in their meals.
5) Balances blood sugar
Too much blood sugar can lead to health problems like diabetes, stroke, and heart diseases. Some research suggests that people who eat tuna fruits every day have lower blood sugar. But experts need to do more studies to find out why.
6) Boosts digestion
Just like many other fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, prickly pears aid digestion. This is because of their high fiber content. Increase your fiber intake to avoid bloating, constipation, and more severe gastrointestinal disorders such as colon cancer and gastric ulcers.
7) Improves heart health
Tuna fruit contains various nutritional components that are beneficial to general heart health. It includes enough potassium to reduce blood pressure by reducing the load on the cardiovascular system and thereby soothing the blood vessels.
The fruit also includes betalains, which serve to strengthen the endothelium walls of blood vessels, reducing overall system weakening or damage.
Lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and strengthening blood vessels all contribute to a lower risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis.
8) Enhanced hair health
Tune fruit could be a fantastic option to consider if you're seeking a natural solution to increase the health of your hair. This fruit has been used in traditional medicine for generations to cure a range of illnesses, including hair loss.
According to recent research, prickly pear extract may increase hair development and prevent hair loss.
It is critical to properly prepare tuna fruit before eating it. Choose one with pinkish or reddish-purple skin since it is the most ripe.
Start by removing the top and bottom of the fruit before slicing the fruit in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds that are present on both sides.
Remember to thoroughly wash the fruit before eating it. This will aid with the removal of any residual pesticides or grime that may be present on its surface.
