For over 12,000 years fresh Nopal cactus has been consumed for its nutritional and healing qualities. Only recently, in the last 20 years, has modern science truly been interested in the investigation of Nopal’s remarkable medicinal plant properties.

Nopal Verde is the prickly pear cactus ‘vegetable’ variety of the Nopal Opuntia ficus-indica species. Known as green Nopal and the traditionally consumed ancient variety, Nopal cactus has recently been recommended in a vast array of metabolic, cardiovascular and digestive disorders. This original and authentic variety of the Nopal prickly pear; requires the climate and soil type that is unique to its birthplace - the high volcanic mountains of Mexico - to provide Nopal’s most important bioactive healing properties.

The ancient Mexican cultures, living in the high mountain volcanic regions, originally adopted the Nopal prickly pear cactus as a healing food and treasured this high mountain variety, relegating Nopal cactus as the supreme healing plant and food among its kings and warriors.  
Below are a number of the most recent findings.

Hyperglycemia - High blood sugar : 

               

Nopal has been clinically proven in studies to reduce both fasting and post-prandial (after a meal) hyperglycemia. Nopal cactus has been shown to contain a unique profile of high soluble and high insoluble fibers.  These high levels of Nopal dietary fibers help prevent the rapid absorption of simple carbohydrates such as sugars into the blood stream during the digestion stage of a consumed meal. This digestive action, the result of ingesting Nopal or Nopal powder prior to, or during a meal, results in lowering the Glycemic Index of any meal and allows for a more stable blood sugar metabolism throughout the day.
               
Nopal cactus also contains specific phyto-nutrients that have been shown to enter the blood stream and augment the body’s cellular response to insulin in Diabetes II patients. This activity, from the Nopal Opuntia Ficus-Indica, was demonstrated recently in a clinical study. A controlled group of hyperglycemic diabetes Type II patients were given only Nopal for breakfast and within 1 hour, their higher blood sugar index was reduced to normal values. Individuals with healthy blood sugar values that were not given the Nopal prickly pear dose did not experience this reduction in blood sugar levels.  
             
Hyperlipidemia - High LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides 

               

The unique and abundant polysaccharide fibers and sterols found in the Nopal prickly pear, have been shown to work synergistically to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Nopal’s primary mechanism is the bile salt binding in the intestine, that has been shown to prevent re-uptake and therefore results in the overall reduction of unhealthy lipids in the blood stream. However, it is also important to note that other active phyto-nutrients in Nopal, such as carotenoids and glycoproteins, have also been implicated in animal studies to increase activity in specific liver receptors that promote healthier blood lipids.

               

Atherosclerosis - cardiovascular inflammation causing blood vessel plaque

               

Nopal has Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents, these are in the form of polyphenols, sterols and glycoproteins. These that are found in Nopal are well known natural compounds, as they remove and prevent blood vessel plaques. Furthermore and equally as important is that regular fresh Nopal, Nopal Juice concentrate or Nopal cactus powder intake, will help prevent the primary cause of heart disease, in the form of cardiovascular inflammation.

               

Colon Cleansing
               
As we said earlier the Nopal prickly pear cactus contains an exceptional profile of both soluble and insoluble dietary fibers. The insoluble dietary fiber in Nopal - more commonly known as roughage – absorb both water and toxins and slowly and gently hasten food through the digestive track and thereby contributes to regular bowel movements. In addition, the presence of the high level of our high mountain volcanic region Nopal OroVerde® insoluble fibers found in our Nopal powder contribute to help the colon to dilute the concentration of potential carcinogens that may be present. It can also be said that our Nopal OroVerde® powder’s soluble fibers also contribute to regularity.

It is important to note that the Nopal cactus Opuntia Ficus-Indica variety has been shown to be a gentle and superior alternative to common psyllium for those with a sensitivity or allergy to the psyllium husk products found in many supermarket shelves. It has also been shown that the regular intake of Nopal powder or Nopal juice concentrate will help maintain a clean and healthy colon.

               

Gastric Ulcers / Gastrointestinal Disorders: 

               

Here in this section, The Nopal cactus vegetable variety’s fibers and mucilage’s control excess gastric acid production and protect the gastrointestinal mucus membranes. This pH buffering and coating that Nopal offers, has been studied for the prevention of damage that may occur from ingesting excessive spicy foods, alcohol, aspirin and other pharmaceuticals. Clinical data proves that Nopal prickly pear cactus actually stimulates the healing of gastric ulcers soothing and significantly reduces gastrointestinal inflammation.

The regular ingestion of Nopal can help reduce and even eliminate the need for over the counter medications that many people use, to an excess at times, in controlling and temporarily soothing the symptoms without actually attacking the condition as Nopal has shown to do.    

Nopal’s high levels of naturally occurring calcium can and will help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Finally the presence of prebiotic fibers in our high mountain, volcanic soil variety of Nopal OroVerde® Mexico Nopal has been determined and hese prebiotics are responsible for improved gut flora, mineral absorption and cancer risk reduction.                

               

Liver function, immunity and oxidative stress:

          

Here we want to touch on Nopal cactus ingestion, as it relates to the oxidative stress. Oxidative stress in the form of free radicals and toxic chemicals in our air, food and water, challenges our bodies daily to maintain a high antioxidant status and toxin elimination capacity. The key players in this defense system are our liver and immune system, especially when they become compromised, do we become inflamed and vulnerable to sickness or contagious vulnerability.

Fortunately we have an abundance of antioxidants and immune support phytochemicals available in plants.  Nopal cactus offers a great variety and high levels of antioxidants such as Vitamins, A, C and Bs, all of them actually as well as polyphenols – flavonoids - as we discussed earlier and glycoproteins & polysaccharides.  This large and robust blend within Nopal acts synergistically to combat oxidative stress, stimulate and modulate immune function and prevent systemic imbalance, which leads to disease.

               

Alcohol Consumption and Hangover

               

Nopal pads, Nopal powder and Nopal Prickly pear cactus fruits are internationally renowned hangover prevention and treatment remedies. Many theories of Nopal's beneficial effects have come forth, yet a simple assessment of constitutive benefits provides a reasonable explanation:

• Nopal's mucilaginous polysaccharides soothe the gastro intestinal tract and alleviate nausea while providing exceptional re-hydration
• Nopal's antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients reduce systemic and hepatic inflammation 
  
• The Nopal dietary fiber absorbs toxins and speeds up the cleansing of the blood stream.

Obesity:

As mentioned above, the ability of Nopal to normalize and lower blood sugar and lipids allows us to suggest that the Nopal cactus can eliminate the majority of the causative factors of Metabolic syndrome. Obesity is a resultant effect of this metabolic impairment and exacerbates the condition. Nopal’s fiber content is sufficient to effectively promote satiety when eaten before a meal and thus reduces hunger and caloric consumption. However unlike many weight loss products Nopal contains an excellent profile of nutrients that may otherwise be missing from a popular weight loss regimen. Healthy weight loss rates of approximately 1 kg / week have been reported.

Overall Whole Food Nutrition

Nopal was originally a food and has remained such throughout its recent popularity as a medicine.  It is traditionally recommended as a whole food medicine, which indeed is the most effective method of treating disease. The Nopal Prickly pear cactus with it's 18 amino acids - 10 that are essential for humans -, has a full complement of B vitamins, minerals and a host of other highly bioactive phytonutrients, Nopal is the quintessential whole food medicine, which can be enjoyed long after your health has been restored.

Dehydrated Nopal  Powder

Nopal Powder has rapidly become one of the principal forms for consuming Nopal in many countries around the world. The reason for this is four fold.

1. The ever-increasing international demand no longer makes it feasible to transport vast quantities of fresh Nopal by air or sea.
2. Wide range of Nopal powder MESH size allows for broad formulation flexibility.
3. Customer preference in Nopal consumption requires a more pharmaceutical approach to packaging for wider acceptance. 
4. Nopal's shelf life and nutritional value are optimized through the gentle dehydration process.

Disclaimer. The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to convey medical advice or to substitute for advice from your own physician. 
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a physician before taking any nutritional supplement.