Prickly Pear Cactus Growers Council
Praises Hangover Cure Study

NEEDLES, California (June 29, 2004) -- The Prickly Pear Cactus Growers Council (PPCGC) today praised the results of a study finding that prickly pear cactus extract aids in reducing the severity of alcohol hangovers. The results of the study were published in the June 28, 2004, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

"The results of this study confirm that prickly pear cactus can be an important part of one's daily diet," said Normando Iglesias, president of the PPCGC. "We anticipate that this study will have a major impact on demand for prickly pear cactus products, especially in college centers."

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted by researchers at Tulane Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, assessed the effect of an extract of Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as the Indian Fig or Tuna Cactus, on the severity of hangover symptoms. Sixty-four healthy, young adult volunteers were randomly assigned to receive the extract or identical placebo, taken five hours before alcohol consumption. The volunteers then drank 1.75 g of alcohol per kilogram of body weight (the equivalent of about five drinks for a 150-pound person) over the course of four hours. The next morning, the volunteers rated the severity of nine hangover symptoms on a 0-6 scale. Two weeks later, the volunteers repeated the test, this time taking the either the placebo or the O ficus-indica extract, depending on which they had taken in the first round.

In the 55 volunteers who completed both the extract and placebo portions of the trial, three of the nine hangover symptoms -- nausea, dry mouth and food aversion -- were significantly reduced by the extract.

Prickly pear cactus is one of the world's most versatile crops. Both the pad and fruit of the plant are edible. The pad has a flavor similar to artichokes or asparagus and can be served raw or cooked. The flavor of the fruit or "pear" varies by variety and ranges from strawberry to citrus. Canned, diced pads are often available in the ethnic foods section of your grocery as "nopales" or "nopalitos." Fresh pads and fruit may be found in season in the produce department. The fruit is often also used to make cactus pear jelly candies, available in tourist traps throughout the Southwest.

Prickly pear cactus is an excellent source of vitamin C, calcium, iron and soluble fiber.

"The prickly pear cactus growers of America are proud to be on the front lines of the battle against the ills of alcohol overconsumption," Iglesias said. "The next time you plan on indulging, consider including prickly pear in your pre-party meal."

Iglesias said the council is considering lobbying the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow the labeling of prickly pear cactus products (excluding prickly pear jelly candies) as "hangover friendly foods."

The Prickly Pear Cactus Growers Council is an industry association dedicated to the promotion of prickly pear cactus consumption in the United States. More information about the PPCGC and its programs can be found online at www.ppcgc.org.

# # # Posted by Andrew Huff at June 29, 2004 03:31 PM