Hathla, also known as prickly pear, offers a bunch of health benefits. This cactus family fruit can help lower cholesterol, improve digestion, reduce the risk of diabetes, strengthen the immune system, and support bone growth. It’s packed with antioxidants, which bolster blood vessels, aid in weight loss, and minimize inflammation. Besides being a great source of dietary fiber, hathla fruit is loaded with vitamin C and magnesium, along with antioxidants like betalains and polyphenols.
You can enjoy hathla fruit in various ways—eat it fresh, grill it, cook it, fry it, or add it to stews and salads. However you choose to consume it, your body will appreciate it. Hathla is rich in vitamins A, B, and B2 and contains 17 essential amino acids, providing overall health benefits.
Antioxidants in echothla fruit protect cells from free radical damage, which can decrease excessive inflammation. The immune-boosting power largely comes from its vitamin C content, with one serving offering over a third of your daily vitamin C requirement.
While cholesterol, produced in the liver, is vital for cell flexibility and hormone production, too much of it can be problematic. Hathla fruit has been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels. Each hathla fruit provides about 25% of your daily recommended vitamin C, which is crucial for bone growth, immune function, and healing wounds.
The fruit contains antioxidant phenolic and flavonoid compounds, which play a role in reducing the risk of various cancers, including breast, prostate, stomach, pancreatic, ovarian, cervical, and lung cancers.
Eating hathla fruits also aids digestion by reducing cellulite and improving water retention, speeding up bowel movements. With its rich fiber content, it diminishes carcinogens and boosts digestive health.
Hathla fruit includes quercetin 3-methyl, a flavonoid that’s a powerful neuro-protector, safeguarding brain cells from damage. Its calcium content supports bone health by aiding the development and strengthening of bone tissues.
Having high blood pressure is risky, but the low sodium and high potassium levels in hathla fruits help maintain healthy blood pressure. The fiber in these fruits keeps the digestive system efficient and helps you feel full longer. Additionally, their low calorie content and abundance of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals make them ideal for weight loss.
Hathla fruit also has anti-inflammatory properties, aiding against muscle and cardiovascular inflammation, and digestive tract and artery issues. Traditionally, it was used topically for inflammation relief. Internally, it helps lower inflammation in conditions like arthritis and muscle strain.
High blood sugar levels can lead to diseases like diabetes, stroke, and heart problems. Hathla fruit consumption can help lower blood sugar in individuals with obesity and diabetes.
You can enjoy hathla fruit in various forms, from raw to dried and made into jellies, jams, candies, or even alcoholic drinks like vodka. It’s important to peel off the skin to remove any spines before eating, as they can cause discomfort if they get lodged in the skin or mouth.
