HEALTH BENEFITS OF TUNA FRUIT (PRICKLY PEAR)

Many of you might have seen fruits on the cacti plant, but wouldn't have realised the medicinal properties it possess. This fruit is called Tuna fruit. We will see about its medicinal properties in this post.

Tuna fruit is a highly nutritious fruit and has lot of medicinal and curative properties. Botanical name of this fruit is Opuntia ficus Indica. It belongs to the family of Cactaceae. It is native to America and spread across the world to Egypt, Morocco, Greece. In India, it is mainly found in arid lands and is a common drought resistant plant.

Common names of this fruit are Indian fig, opuntia, Barbary fig, cactus pear, spineless cactus and prickly pear.

Opuntia ficus Indica is a perennial shrub which can grow up to 3 to 5 meters height with thick succulent, oblonged and spatulate stems called Cladodes. It has a water repellent and sun reflecting waxy epidermis.

Cladodes that are 1 to 2 years old will produce flowers and fruits. Flowers are white, yellow and red. Flowers appear in the month of May, fruits ripen from August to October. Fruits are oval in shape and range in colour yellow and light green to orange, pink and red depending upon the variety and ripeness.

The fruit flesh contains many tiny seeds that can be eaten with that fruit pulp. Fruit tastes like a sweet watermelon. Fruits gives red color juice because due to betalains and indicaxanthin. Before eating this fruit,the skin and all spines should be removed.

This fruit can be used for a variety of things. Either it can be eaten raw or dry and made it into various jellies, jams, candies or alcoholic beverages like vodka. It is also used as alternative medicine for treating many diseases.

Nutritive value of Tuna Fruit

This fruit has high levels of vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, Calcium, dietary fiber, flavoniods, polyphenols, betalain.

It helps to

• Boost immunity because of its high levels of Vitamin C. Vitamin C plays an important role for boosting immunity and iron absorption.
• Strengthen the bones and teeth because of its high content of Calcium. Calcium is very important mineral for bones and teeth.
• Prevent osteoporosis.
• Enhance digestion
• Eliminate constipation as it has significant amount dietary fiber.
• Remove bloating and gastric ulcer
• Protect heart from heart diseases.
• Lower the level of LDL cholesterol (Low Density Lipo-protein)
• Normalize the blood pressure
• Strengthen the blood vessels
• Prevent atherosclerosis, coronary heart diseases, stroke.
• Prevent cancer.
• Prevent dental problems.
• Manage body weight because of its low calorie content.
• Improve vision 
• Prevent Macular degeneration.
• Improve brain function.
• Reduce inflammation,
• Reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Tuna Fruit (prickly Pear)