Benefits of Nopal Fruit

Benefits of Nopal Fruit, Many people don't know the benefits of nopal fruit. In this post I will explain some of the benefits you can get from nopal fruit.

HISTORY  

Nopal (Opuntia) is a genus of plants of the cactus family that consists of more than 300 species, all native to the Americas, and live from the northern United States to Patagonia, where they grow wild.  

Cactus is very noble, as it has few demands on their management, resulting in remarkably high tolerance for nutrient-poor or subjected to poor methods of irrigation, fertilization and pest control soils. Therefore, survives both in the desert and snow, from sea level to elevations of over 4,700 m in the mountains.  

In Mexico is located in arid and semi-arid areas, where instead of conquistadors led by countries as diverse as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Greece, Israel, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and the United States.  

For thousands of years it has been used in Mexico where it becomes a symbol of the Coat of Arms.  

ABOUT  

The cactus plant is a tree that can reach 5 meters. Cladodes consists simulating flattened fleshy leaves. In each of these pads areolas where groups glochids, tiny spines as bearded and thin hairs that come off of the plant are observed, and easily stick to the skin, causing irritation.  

Nopales about

Its flowers are large and open, colors vary depending on the species and the time of its formation; They can be white, yellow, orange, red or purple. The cactus fruit called tuna.

COMPONENTS AND NUTRITION  

Nopal Fruit is rich in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, sodium, and also contains, in various proportions, different carbohydrate or carbohydrate and nitrogenous components. Nopal is rich in fiber, vitamins (A, B, B2, C and K), riboflavin, vitamin B6, chlorophyll and protein.

Several studies show how valuable it is to support cactus health to be a source of nutrients that support the immune, glandular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory and digestive system.

MEDICAL BENEFITS

ANTIBIOTIC: The nopales are natural antibiotics, this property is related to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant, which in cacti inhibits or stops the growth of several bacterial species. Hence both the consumption of nopal as applying poultices of cactus leaves, have beneficial effects on wounds and skin infections.

ATEREOSCLEROSIS - cardiovascular inflammation causing Atherosclerosis blood vessel plaque: The Cactus has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components, they are in the form of polyphenols, sterols and glycoproteins. These nopal found in natural compounds are known as plaques removed and prevent the blood vessel. In addition and equally as important is that regular fresh nopal cactus juice concentrate or powder product nopal cactus, help prevent the primary cause of heart disease, in the form of cardiovascular inflammation.

CANCER: The cactus contains a lot of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. The insoluble dietary fiber absorbs water and gently supports the passage of food through the digestive tract and contributes significantly to regulate the movements of the whole system. In turn, the presence of these dietary fiber helps to dilute the concentration of potentially cancerous cells that arise in the colon, which is prevented to some extent, the appearance of this condition.

CHOLESTEROL: It helps in regulating cholesterol. Amino acids, fiber, and vitamin B3 help the excess sugar in the blood and convert this fat is prevented, so that the total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels are reduced, by means of metabolism of fat and fatty acids, as well as the removal of bile acids, which are conventionally converted into cholesterol.

COLON: The active ingredients found in the nopal, colon2 aid in the prevention of absorption of excess fat and carbohydrates, so that a proper balance is maintained in the blood level and obesity (Appearance is reviewed subsequently) is controlled. As a fibrous plant, cactus contains high levels of soluble and insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers support the uptake of glucose into the intestine while insoluble fibers reduce excess bile and potential carcinogens that may arise in the colon, through the absorption and excretion, helping to keep the body clean and in good condition.

DIABETES: Regulation of blood sugar for patients with diabetes. The 18 amino acids in the nopal provide more energy and reduce fatigue by helping to reduce the level of blood sugar. Nopal strengthens the liver and pancreas by increasing insulin sensitivity, which simulates the motion of the glucose in the cells of the body where it is used for energy, thereby regulating the level of blood sugar. It also decreases the digestion of carbohydrates by reducing insulin production.

DIGESTION: Vitamins naturally available in the nopal, such as B1, B2, B3 and C, plus minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and iron, assist in detoxifying the body in general. Its antioxidant power provides adequate protection from environmental toxins and reduces the harmful effects smoking or drinking alcohol.

Constipation: The fibers contain nopal contribute to good digestion preventing constipation problems.

LIVER AND PANCREAS: Compared to other plants, liver and pancreas Nopal is high in nutrients that help strengthen the liver and pancreas. The health of these two glands is very important to convert carbohydrates into glycogen which can be used as energy for the body. This insulin production and sensitivity of body cells to the latter, it is necessary to move glucose into the body cells where it is used as energy is generated.

HYPER GLUCEMIA - High blood sugar levels: It has been clinically proven in studies that nopal helps reduce hyperglycemia before and after meals. The nopal cactus has been shown to contain a unique profile of high amounts of insoluble and soluble fibers. These dietary fibers levels nopal help prevent rapid absorption of simple carbohydrates such as sugars in the blood stream during the digestion stage of a consumed meal.

OBESITY: Due to the high amount of fiber that has the nopal, help delay the time at which nutrients are absorbed and enter the blood and therefore facilitates removal. Similarly, plant proteins do liquids are mobilized faster through the bloodstream, contributing to the reduction of cellulite and fluid retention. It is therefore recommended to take it in juice with orange or other citrus. Additionally, insoluble fibers contained, create a feeling of fullness, thereby lowering the hunger of the people and help a good digestion because it supports in regulating bowel movement.

Circulatory System: The nopal acts very different 3 hear Nopales ways to reduce the risk of any heart disease. First, because the fiber is in the nopal acts to absorb and excrete cholesterol. Second, amino acids, fiber and niacin found in the nopal prevents the conversion of sugars into fat while reducing triglycerides and bad cholesterol. Third, because niacin becomes bad cholesterol into good cholesterol. Furthermore, amino acids and fibers acting together with antioxidants and vitamins present effects prevent the formation of walls in the veins and the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries.

IMMUNITY SYSTEM: The cactus contains vitamins A, B complex, C, minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron and fiber (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and mucilage) which together with the 17 amino acids help eliminate toxins , detoxify and support the liver, other organs and body in general. Environmental toxins (known as free radicals) caused by alcohol and cigarette smoke, among others, inhibit the body's immune system. however consumption nopal body eliminates its presence.

The phytochemicals present in the cactus are powerful allies for the immune system, so the body can optimally defend against attack by pathogens.

NERVOUS SYSTEM: The nopal prevents damage to the nerves and helps to achieve better balance in the mood and can support eradicate symptoms associated with imbalances in this system.

URINARY SYSTEM: The juice of nopal is used with a diuretic and anti-inflammatory to reduce pain in the urinary system.

GASTRIC ÚLSERAS: Vegetable fibers of nopal control excess gastric acid production and protect the stomach lining and intestines.  

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

For its part, the juice was great appreciation to remove the fever, Nopal juice while the tuna was considered ideal for combat excess bile, whose main function is to assist in the absorption of fats.  

Also pulp tuna was very effective against diarrhea, and roasted leaves were used as a poultice (for pain and inflammation in cases of sunburn), while the root was extremely useful for the treatment of hernia, liver irritated , stomach and erysipelas (skin infection that manifests itself as red lesions plates, high fever and chills) ulcers. And a small plasta cure toothache.

OTHER BENEFITS 

COSMETIC: The cactus has many properties in chemical composition that can be used to develop cosmetics. Obviously, their use brings all your nutritional properties to benefit the skin and hair of humans.

To do this, different processes have been used for soaps, creams for various applications and utilities (hands and body), shampoo, rinse, conditioners, masks (wetting, or stimulating and cleansing), night cream, astringent lotion, shower gel , stylized hair gel, ointment, eye shadows and other products derived from cactus paddles or rackets.

All this because the cactus has an excellent property for the development of cosmetics and has the ability to retain moisture, this is because the compounds nopal slobber constitute a hydrocolloid.

SKIN: The nopal has been applied externally to treat wounds and minor burns.

PURCHASE AND CONSERVATION

How to buy

In Mexico fresh nopales are readily available in the market for almost any town or supermarket. In the United States are available in stores products Mexicans or some large supermarkets have a section of Mexican ingredients.

Nopales in two bags

Sometimes the cactus and clean and cut into strips or into small squares is achieved. If you use whole fresh nopales, however, will have to remove the thorns and cooking.

If you're not cooking with your nopales the same day, keep them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator; they keep well for several days.

CLEANING AND COOKING

No matter how you think cooking nopales, will be necessary to remove the thorns. This is done by taking carefully stalk in one hand and in the other very sharp knife.

Nopales how to prepared

Using the knife (may be small or large, but it is important to have enough edge), scrape the nopal in the base of each spine so that it is separated from the stalk. Necessarily parts of the shell or "skin" of the cactus stalk, but try to be scraped least damage this layer of the plant possible. Work slowly and carefully.

HOW TO EAT

The use of nopal is diverse: it could be used in juices, sweets, sauces, pallets, salads, stews, jams, broths, soups, and in many other ways; I also found dehydrated powder in various natural products where it is generally combined with flaxseed, fruits and cereals.

Benefits of Nopal Fruit SOURCES  

http://about.com  

http://www.wikipedia.org/