Health benefits of the Nopal Cactus..Antioxidant The stems and fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica contain eight flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. Theyre also high in vitamin C, and a study in the August 2004 “Journal of Clinical Nutrition” reported on a comparison between vitamin C and prickly pear fruit to see if there were differences in antioxidant potency. Although both decreased oxidative damage to lipids and improved antioxidant status in healthy humans, only the prickly pear fruit significantly affected body oxidative stress. Inflammation Ethanol extracts from prickly pear cactus fruit and stems were prepared and used to evaluate the pharmacological activities of the plant. A study from Korea, published in the Archives of Pharmacal Research, found that both extracts suppressed paw edema in laboratory animals and had a potent inhibitory effect against leukocyte migration, which is an important mechanism in the development of inflammatory diseases. Cholesterol In studies led by Dr. Maria L. Fernandez in California and published in the “Journal of Nutrition,” prickly pear pectin decreased LDL concentrations and led to a 28 percent drop in total cholesterol levels. Furthermore, Mexican researchers found that animals fed raw nopal had lower weight gains and a 34 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol levels. Diabetes Nopal has been studied for its effects on blood sugar levels, with one study published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” in 1995 finding the cactus extracts caused a significant decrease in blood glucose values by almost 18 percent. The Calzada Tecnologico in Baja California also discovered that adding nopal to traditional high-carbohydrate Mexican meals among patients with Type 2 diabetes induced a reduction in glucose concentration after the meal. Ulcers The Opuntia ficus indica (nopal) cactus has been used in Sicily folk medicine for years to treat gastric ulcers. Italian scientists pre-treated laboratory animals with nopal before inducing gastric ulcers and found that the pre-treatment provided a protective action against the ulcers, most likely from the mucilage present in the plant. Information taken from livestrong/article/115063-nopal-cactus-health-benefits/ Nopales are one of very low calorie vegetable. 100 g of fresh leaves provides just 16 calories. Nonetheless, its modified leaves (paddles) have many vital phytochemicals, fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can immensely benefit health. The succulent paddles are rich sources of dietary fiber, especially non-carbohydrate polysaccharides, such as pectin, mucilage and hemicellulose. Together, these substances help reduce body weight, LDL-cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. This rich fiber and mucilaginous content aid in smooth passage of digested food particles through the gut and relieve constipation condition. In addition, the juice extracted from these noples has been suggested to have immune-booster, and anti-inflammatory properties. Cactus pads feature moderate amounts of vitamin A with 100 g fresh pads provide about 457 IU of vitamin A, and 250 µg of ß-carotene. ß-carotene convert into vitamin-A inside the body. Studies found that vitamin A and flavonoid compounds in vegetables help to protect from skin, lung and oral cavity cancers. In addition, nopal pads contain small levels of B-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), and pantothenic acid. These vitamins are essential for optimum cellular enzymatic and metabolic functions inside the human body. Fresh pads contain average levels of vitamin C. 100 g provides 9.3 mg or 15% of this vitamin. Vitamin C is a water-soluble, natural anti-oxidant, which helps the body protect from scurvy and offer resistance against infectious agents (boost immunity), and help scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body. They contain small amounts of minerals, especially calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 04:21:31 +0000