Prickly pear cactus (opuntia ficus indica) is a succulent fruit- and flower-bearing plant that grows wild in desert-like conditions. Long enjoyed as a food source, both the petals and pads of the cactus are eaten fresh or made into a variety of dishes including salads, soups, jellies and candies. Indigenous peoples also value cactus petals, or nopales, for its many medicinal and health benefits. Now clinical studies have shown that the alkaloids, vitamins and mucilage in the cactus petals can have the following effects, which supports centuries of anecdotal evidence:

• lower HDL cholesterol levels
• stabilize or decrease blood sugar levels
• increase insulin sensitivity
• promote wound healing
• protect against ulcers
• anti-inflammatory effects for arthritis
• bolsters the immune system
• reduce effects of alcohol consumption

Benefit For Diabetics

These promising health benefits are of particular interest to diabetics who struggle with insulin resistance and face serious damaging effects from high levels of sugar in their blood. The prickly pear pectin is a sticky, gelatinous substance that is rich in fiber which naturally slows down the digestion of carbohydrates.

Although there are opuntia-containing dietary supplements in powder and pill form, fresh nopales provides demonstrable health improvements. Many people enjoy eating fresh nopales in dishes like salads and omelets but there is no evidence that shows if its effectiveness is compromised when the cactus is cooked.

The following recipe for fresh cactus petal juice should be taken twice a day. Two tablespoons in the morning and two tablespoons with the evening meal.

Fresh Cactus Juice (A Natural Food Supplement for Diabetics)

Prepared fresh nopales, without the prickly thorns, can be purchased at Hispanic food markets. Cactus comes either in whole pads or chopped into one-inch slices and bagged. Choose the sliced “nopalitos” for convenience.

2 cups fresh nopalitos (chopped nopales/cactus pads)

1/2 cup fresh water

Place two cups of fresh nopalitos in a blender. Add ½ cup of fresh water and puree until smooth. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. Take out the cubes and store in an air-tight bag or container. To use, thaw one or two nopalitos cubes in the refrigerator. Drink two tablespoons in the morning and two tablespoons with the evening meal.

*Do not stop your regular diabetes medication regimen while taking cactus juice. However, do continue to monitor your blood sugar levels and inform your doctor of any changes.

Although not a replacement for physician-prescribed medication treatment, making nopales a part of one’s daily diet could have positive effects on blood sugar levels.