You may have heard a bit about it, and you may have some reasons to be curious. prickly pear cactus is being touted as potentially the latest superfood. Here is a look at some common questions. 

What are prickly pear products made out of?

You can find a range of prickly pear products and each will have its own ingredients. The natural prickly pear cactus flowers, leaves, and fruit can be eaten as they are, and you may find prickly pear cactus juices as well. However, multiple supplements are available that are incorporated with concentrated prickly pear elements, and you can also find oil from prickly pear cactus that can be ingested orally or used topically on the skin. The prickly pear cactus plant, which can be referred to by several different names according to the region, can be found growing natively in American desert regions primarily, but several varieties exist that grow in other places as well. 

Can prickly pear really help with controlling your blood sugar?

So far, research has suggested that prickly pear may help stabilize or lower blood sugar levels for people who have type 2 diabetes, according to the MayoClinic. If you have type 2 diabetes and have issues with elevated blood sugar, prickly pear eaten as a food or taken in the form of a supplement may help keep your glucose levels down. 

Is it safe to use prickly pear for controlling diabetes?

It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before trying any type of natural product to control or help with medical conditions. If you are currently taking prescription medications for controlling your blood sugar, it is even more important to discuss supplements with your doctor and never stop taking prescribed medications in favor of a supplement without prior instruction. Natural prickly pear cactus is not likely to cause any ill effects unless consumed in larger amounts, but prickly pear products taken as supplements may lead to something mild like diarrhea or nausea. 

Where can you buy prickly pear products?

You can find prickly pear in its natural form in some grocery stores, especially since it is growing in popularity. If there is no fresh prickly pear available in your area, you can typically order the juice online through major retailers like Amazon. You can also opt for prickly pear cactus supplements or other products, which can be easily found at most health food, health supplement, and specialty stores, such as ArizonaCactusRanch.