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Be careful when eating prickly pear, since small spikes may remain on the fruits and pods which can irritate the inside of the mouth.
Some people have reported experiencing digestive upset after eating and drinking prickly pear fruit and juice. Potential side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and headaches. If you develop any of these symptoms when adding prickly pear to your diet, stop consuming it for a period of time, perhaps trying it again several weeks later.
Adults with diabetes should use caution when consuming this plant, as it has the ability to alter blood sugar levels. Mature prickly pear pads also contain calcium oxalate crystals that are insoluble. These may worsen symptoms in people with a history of kidney or health problems, so use caution if this applies to you.
Are prickly pear seeds poisonous? No, however they are rarely eaten due to their hard shell. Instead, they are used to make oil that has a high level of healthy fatty acids. *
