NOT SO THORNY: The humble prickly pear could be key in the fight against fat

Wednesday June 10,2009

By Jo Wiley

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IT was loved by Baloo the bear in the classic Disney film The Jungle Book.

Now the prickly pear could be the weapon in the fight against obesity.

The exotic “fruit” has been found to have fat-binding properties, and may be the key to people losing weight.

A type of cactus, it has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, even by the ancient Aztecs.

Now scientists have developed a new organic product derived from the prickly pear named Proactol which has been clinically proven in trials to bind with fat.

When the easy-to- swallow tablet is taken after a meal it allows the body to expel around 30 per cent more fat – meaning the body absorbs almost a third less fat from food.

They claim it differs from most other weight loss products on the market by being entirely organic and derived from a plant, with many weight loss supplements including synthetic chemical ingredients.

But the makers point out that Proactol is not a miracle cure for obesity and is most effective as part of a general healthy lifestyle.

Proactol product manager Katie Downing-Howitt said: “We aren’t claiming Proactol is a miracle cure for obesity but it is clinically proven to bind with fat and, as part of a balanced healthy lifestyle, does assist weight loss.

“It’s ironic that Disney’s animators gave prickly pear-munching Baloo a rather cuddly figure.”

Previous research has also shown the prickly pear cactus can also reduce hangovers.