What is Nopal?

This is an organic powder of the cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica. Grown to organic standard in Tunisia, Nopal is a valuable source of fibre as well as 17 amino acids.

Directions: As a food supplement, take three capsules daily with food, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

What is the nutritional content and common ingredients of Nopal?

Nopal is an all-natural organic food product that is made with 100% natural dehydrated leaves of a cactus called Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly known as Barbary fig or prickly pear fruit. In Mexico the Nopales (from the Nahuatl word nōpalli for the pads) are a vegetable made from the young cladophyll (pad) segments of prickly pear, carefully peeled to remove the spines. Nopal is rich in nutrients and fibre (soluble and insoluble) and has been shown to be beneficial for fiber on weight management. New research also reveals enormous potential for diverse applications using this food supplement. Viridian’s Nopal is grown organically in Tunisia.

Effects of Nopal on WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Nopal is most known as a natural way to lose weight. The high fibre content (approx. >30% by weight) of Nopal promotes satiety by increasing its volume in the stomach and by naturally slowing transit time, hence aiding glucose regulation. This product on its own, or as part of a weight management plan, offers a new approach to losing weight by reducing fat absorption (due to the lipophilic nature of nopal), aiding digestive function (including gut flora regulation), improving glycemic regulation and inhibiting inflammatory responses through regulation of blood lipids. Research into the lipophilic binding nature of Opuntia shows that 1.6g of the plant increases fat excretion on average of 27%, compared to placebo. Nopal also exerts a diuretic effect and so may be beneficial in cases of oedema (fluid retention). Consumption of Nopal has a high dietary fiber content giving positive effects of fiber on weight management.

Nopal Plant for treating Cardiovascular disease and general heart health

Fresh Nopal having a rich dietary fiber content source along with its valuable nutritional composition, including appreciable levels L-taurine, provide support in cases of hyperlipidemia (elevated blood fats). Nopal has been shown to significantly reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase in HDLs. Nopal has also been shown to positively influence heart rate variability (HRV) in athletes and reduce overall heart rate.

Nopal as an ANTI-ULCER treatment.

Nopal is a rich source of carbohydrate polymers, mainly mucilage and pectin which have been shown to exert cytoprotective (cell protection) effects on the gastric mucosa. Molecular interactions between mucilage monosaccharides and membrane phospholipids, may be relevant features responsible for changing activities of membrane attached proteins during the healing process after chronic gastric mucosal damage.

Functional properties of Nopal as a NUTRITIVE

Nopal is a valuable source of fibre (both soluble and insoluble) including the prebiotic arabinogalactan, as well as 17 amino acids, vitamins (including beta carotene and vitamin C) and minerals including calcium, magnesium and potassium.The effects of fibers on health are wonderful and should be part of a healthy diet. This prickly pear fruit can have positive effects on blood sugar levels, bone health, energy intake, and also some positive research on fiber on blood lipid

NOPAL AS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY / ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT

Nopal is a natural source of vitamin C and antioxidant phytonutrients known as Betalain pigments (similar to anthocyanidins). These pigments coupled with other naturally occurring nutrients exert radical-scavenging effects which improve antioxidant status and reduce oxidative damage to lipids. Nopal has shown protective anti-inflammatory effects in reducing cartilage alteration in joint disease.

Alcohol Hangover

interestingly a 2004 study reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine revealed that the use of Opuntia ficus indica reduced C-reactive protein (key marker of inflammation) levels 40% more than the placebo and showed a reduction in alcohol hangover symptoms, apparently by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators.

One vegan capsule provides:

Opuntia Ficus-Indica)