“CACTUS PEAR (Opuntia ficus-indica): WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?”
Through working in the pharmacy, I have come across an interesting, but yet very extraordinary ingredient known as ‘cactus pear’. Just recently the demand for cactus pear products (in the retail pharmacy setting it is marketed as ‘XL-S Medical’) has soared, so I decided to do some background research on cactus pear and see ‘what all the fuss is about’. In the retail pharmacy setting it is marketed for weight-loss, however when we dig deeper we can see that cactus pear is not just for weight-loss purposes.
So, just some background information on cactus pear. Cactus pear is a type of fruit found abundantly in Mexico, Latin America, South Africa and the Mediterranean. It has been used traditionally in the management of ulcer, dyspnoea, glaucoma, liver conditions, wounds and fatigue. Furthermore, the Pima Indians have been using Opuntia (cactus) species for the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidaemia. Other findings also suggest that daily consumption of cactus pear could be beneficial to cardiovascular health by reducing total cholesterol and LDL-C. Interestingly, the pad (cladode) of the cactus, not the cactus pear itself, could potentially lower fasting blood glucose levels. Opuntia ficus-indica powder has been shown to bind to dietary fat. The fat then is not digested and therefore eliminated unabsorbed, promoting weight-loss and helping to reduce energy intake.
So then, how effective is cactus pear in weight-loss? A study in Berlin, Germany in 2012 showed that there was “significant increases of dietary fat excretion”, therefore supporting the statement that cactus pear causes weight-loss through reducing dietary fat absorption. Furthermore, as indicated by previous research, cactus pear has a noticeable hypolipidaemic effect. Other reviews discuss and point out that cactus pear contributes to significant reductions in body mass index, percentage body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and total cholesterol. Yet, cactus pear does not have a marked effect on body weight – since body weight does incorporate lean muscle.
Overall, I can confidently say that the ‘fuss’ surrounding cactus pear (opuntia ficus-indica) is justified – not only for weight-loss but potentially contributing to improvement in other conditions, such as decreasing total cholesterol. As always, I recommend to consult your medical practitioner first before embarking on any supplementation if you have any medical condition.
Ref: Madrigal-Santillan, E. et al, 2003; Budinsky, A. et al, 2001; Uebelhack, R. et al, 2014; Diaz-Medina, EM. et al, 2012; Onakpoya, et al, 2015.