A new study suggests that cactus fruit may help improve metabolic indicators including blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
According to medical sources on the 7th, an Italian research team published findings in the latest issue of the international journal Nutrients indicating that Opuntia ficus-indica (cactus fruit) may influence various indicators related to metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by a combination of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, abdominal obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The research team focused on the role of plant-derived functional foods as a complementary strategy to alleviate these metabolic abnormalities and conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing studies centered on the nutritional components and bioactive substances in cactus fruit.
Cactus fruit has a water content of 85-92%, resulting in low energy density with virtually no fat content. It contains 3-5 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams, primarily composed of soluble dietary fiber such as mucilage and pectin. These components were found to increase satiety, regulate the gut microbiome environment, and help moderate post-meal blood sugar spikes.
The fruit also contains bioactive substances including phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and betalains, as well as antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as potassium, folic acid, and magnesium. The seeds contain polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols, suggesting potential additional metabolic regulatory functions.
Regarding the mechanism of action, flavonoids and polyphenols were shown to reduce oxidative stress by eliminating free radicals and to promote glucose absorption by acting on insulin signaling pathways. Results also indicated potential effects in reducing hepatic fat accumulation by inhibiting SREBP-1c, which regulates fat synthesis, and activating PPAR-α to promote fatty acid oxidation.
Betalain compounds protect vascular cells through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, and animal experiments observed improvements in liver fat accumulation and fatty liver. Soluble dietary fiber was found to slow gastric emptying, while short-chain fatty acids produced through intestinal fermentation were analyzed to play a role in regulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses.
Animal experiments confirmed suppression of weight gain, reduction in blood triglycerides, and improvements in visceral fat and fatty liver. Human studies also confirmed decreased oxidative stress markers and absorption of bioactive components during short-term consumption.
The research team stated, "Cactus fruit contains various bioactive substances including polyphenols, betalains, and dietary fiber that work in combination to potentially influence blood sugar regulation, lipid improvement, oxidative stress reduction, and inflammation suppression."
The Opuntia ficus-indica used in this study belongs to the same cactus genus as the Baeknyeoncho (hundred-year cactus) cultivated in Korea. The basic nutritional characteristics, including dietary fiber, polyphenols, and betalains that help suppress blood sugar spikes and improve gut health, are similar.
However, sweetness, flesh softness, and mucilage content vary depending on growing region and variety, which can result in differences in antioxidant concentration and bioactive effects. Due to texture and spine issues, domestic Baeknyeoncho is often distributed in processed forms such as juice, powder, and jelly rather than as fresh fruit.
