Cacti as a Potential Functional Food Candidate and a Protective Agent Against Chronic Disease—A Review of Literature

The health benefits of consuming natural foods and functional food products are a primary topic of interest in human nutrition. Cacti are an unconventional and affordable plant, commonly used to improve the structure and consistency of food products, whose potential health benefits are starting to be investigated. The plant has the capacity to retain large quantities of water, and is fleshy and pulpy, with the ability to grow and develop in barren areas. Cacti and its constituents possess a high antioxidant concentration, are rich in phytonutrients and can provide food product preservation and health benefits through several technological and biological pathways. Cacti are versatile, being utilised for human food, included in animal feed and medicinal applications, for wastewater treatment and agricultural development and rehabilitation. Cacti have the potential to exhibit protective effects against chronic metabolic conditions, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer. However, there is currently an absence of rigorous evidence to recommend its use as a complementary therapy to minimise the incidence or management of non-communicable diseases. Nevertheless, the current literature demonstrates strong potential for functional food product development and beneficial health effects that warrant further investigation.