• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Login

Staying Healthy

Everything you want to know about your health and those you love

  • Adults
  • Children
  • Conditions
  • Education/Training
    • Health Education and Training Blog
    • Health Degree Programs
    • Health Short Courses
  • Fitness
  • Healthcare
  • Mental Health
  • Pet Health
  • Health Store

Weight Loss Foods: The Prickly Pear

Leave a Comment

The prickly pear (Opuntia Ficus Indica) is a plant that comes from South America, and grows spontaneously in all the Mediterranean area. It is also known as Opontia or Nopal. Not only is the prickly pear a very important weight loss food, but also very healthy in general. Prickly pear is  effectively used in treatments against:

  • diebetes
  • high cholesterol
  • obesity and overweight
  • gastrointestinal problems
  • skin problems

Here is a shortlist of the most important properties and uses of this incredible plant, which can be included among the best weight loss foods.

Its leaves are a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber (cellulose, hemicelulose, lignans, pectins, mucilage) and vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, C1), minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper).

Prickly pears help control glycaemic index.
A research carried out in Mexico, at the University of Tijuana, showed that this plant can be very effective in keeping glycaemia, by reducing sugar and fat absorption. This is very good news not only for people who suffer from diabetes, but also for whoever needs to lose weight.

They increase the sense of surfeit.
Prickly pears are the ideal food for snacking, thanks to the low calories, and the high content of soluble fibers, mucilage in particular. These fibers, once in the stomach, create a sort of jelly, which expands and relieve the sense of emptiness, typical of when we are hungry, which makes us believe that we have to eat a lot to make it go away. Besides, fibers slow down the absorption of sugars at the end of a the meal, making the sense of surfeit last longer.

Keeps the intestine regular.
Last but not least, fibers help intestinal activity without irritating the mucous membrane. It also helps regenerate intestinal flora. An active intestine, helps lose weight fast, and a better absorption of vitamins and minerals.

Related

You might also like:

Default ThumbnailWhole Body Cleanse Information Default ThumbnailApplebee’s Nutrition Information Default ThumbnailApple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits Green TeaVarieties of Slimming Weight Loss Tea Ninja Master PrepUsing The Ninja Blender To Eat Healthy When Traveling Default ThumbnailHow To Avoid High Blood Pressure Foods beetrootsSide Effects of Beetroot For Regular Beetroot Consumers Pregnant woman3 ideas for Healthy Snacks for Pregnant Women Default ThumbnailWhat are the Different Strawberry Benefits? Default ThumbnailWhat is the Difference Between Meat Eaters VS Vegetarians?

Filed Under: Healthy Food Tagged With: lose weight fast, prickly pears, weight loss foods

What are Your Views on This? Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Search This Website

Health Topics

Pet Health

Girl and Dog

Can I use Neosporin on my Dogs?

Dogs are considered to be one of the most loved animals in the world. In fact, dogs are the most common house pet all across the globe. Aside from … [Read More...]

More Posts About Pet Health

Electronics in Health

mother breastfeeding baby

Breastfeed Your Baby: Electronic Breast Pumps

Feeding your new baby breast milk is a choice a new mother has to make one way or another. It can be a great way to make sure your baby gets the best … [Read More...]

More Posts from Electronic Category

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

Copyright © 2023  Staying Healthy