Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing along with its comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). From a pathophysiological perspective, T2DM arises as a consequence of insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, which together induce chronic hyperglycemia. The pharmacological treatment of T2DM specifically focuses on its management, rather than remission, with a lack of pharmacological agents to prevent the onset of the disease. Considering the role of unhealthy dietary patterns on the development of T2DM, identifying novel food ingredients and bioactive substances may provide new avenues by which to address the T2DM epidemic. In this brief review, we have summarized the latest findings on the consumption of the prickly pear (PP; Opuntia spp.) cladode as a potential nutritional tool for the management of hyperglycemia. The consumption of prickly pear cladodes was reported to exert hypoglycemic effects, making it a potential cost-effective nutritional intervention for the management of T2DM. Several studies have demonstrated that the consumption of prickly pear cladodes and the related products reduced post-prandial glucose levels. The cladodes’ high fiber content may be implicated in improving glycemic control, by affecting glucose absorption and effectively slowing its release into the blood circulation. Given these potential hypoglycemic effects, prickly pear cladodes may represent a potential functional food ingredient to improve glycemic control and counter the negative metabolic effects of the modern Western diet. Nonetheless, in consideration of the lack of evidence on the chronic effects of the prickly pear cladode, future research aimed at evaluating its long-term effects on glycemic control is warranted.
Highlights
The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and continues to represent a major health concern [1], affecting over a third of the global population [2]
These results support the findings reported by Linarès et al [44], where no chronic effects of cladode intake on blood glucose levels were demonstrated
The potential mechanisms underpinning cladodes’ hypoglycemic effects are not well understood, and require further investigation. The findings of this brief narrative literature review suggest the use of cladode as a potential adjunct treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
Summary
The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and continues to represent a major health concern [1], affecting over a third of the global population [2]. Obesity is identified as a major risk factor for a multitude of non-communicable diseases, in particular for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [3]. Insulin resistance is the link between obesity and T2DM and is characterized as a blunted response of insulin tissue targets to insulin that, in concert with impaired pancreatic dysfunction, contributes to hyperglycemia [4]. In the US alone, it is the seventh-leading cause of mortality, and over USD 218 billion is spent on its βm-caenlalgdeymsfeunnt catniodno,tchoenr trreiblautetedsitllonehsyspesertghlaytcaermisieaa[s4]a. HIntothperUevSeanltonthee, it is tdheevseelovpemntehn-tleoafdthinisgmcaeutasbeoolifcmdiosertaaslei.ty, and over USD 218 billion is spent on its managementItanisdwoethlleersrtaeblalitsehdedilltnheastseasdethquatataerinsuetaristiaondailreincttecrovnesnetiqounesnccaenoefxTh2ibDitMbe[n7]e.fiIcniadleed, boeusticdoemsetshoenhgelaylctehmimicpcolinctartoiol.nTsh,eTse2DinMcluidseaalsdoheproesnicnegtoadsiuffbesrteannttdiaielteacryonpoamtteircnbs,usrudcehn on haesatlhthe cMareedistyesrrtaenmesa.nwdiiteht [a1n2]i,nacnrdeatshiengincdleumsioanndoffodriffmeroernet efuffneccttiiovneatlhfeoroadpperuotdicuscatsnadsprevaepnatarttiovfeatohoealslt[h9y].aHndowbaelvaenrc,etdhedriaept e[3u]t.iFcuarpthperormacohrees, tahreecionnflcueepntcoefdfubnyctthioentarlefaotomdesnits parice, arceclaetsisviebliylitnye,wcommopdleialnthcea,t amnadysaisdseisetfifnectthse, wmhanicahgemmaeynpt orefvseenvtersaulchceeaslstfhuilsosuuetcso, smuechs [a9s–11]. Acoltnhsouumgphttihones, eacnladdoitds epsohtaevnetibaleeunseusiend tahsea dtreavdeiltoiopnmael ntrteaotfmfeunntcftoiornTa2lDfMoodins Mfoerxitchoe[22], tmheanuasgeeomfeOntpoufnhtyiapseprgpl.ycaesmaiab.aFsuirsthoefrfmunorceti,othneapl ofoteondtipalrmodeuchctasnifsomr sthuendmearpniangneinmgetnhteof a reafnfegcetsooffhtehaeltchlacdoonddeistioonngslhyacosgbeeneinc cpornotproolsewdilol nallsyorbeelaetxivpelolyrerde.cently [23,24,25]
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