The Nopal has been a food source in several countries for hundreds of years and is very popular not only for consumption but also for its healing properties.
This provides a lot of mineral and acts as a wild card natural fiber, making it an effective dietary supplement for weight control.
You can reap the benefits of Nopal to treat various diseases such as arteriosclerosis, obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, digestion and colon cleansing.
Researchers at the University of Mexico found that Nopal is a good source of calcium, especially when consuming mature, so do consider feasible Nopal flour for human consumption.
The research project in this interdisciplinary working group is called Using Nopal Flour Osteopenia Prevention. Osteopenia is a step prior to osteoporosis, is the serious deterioration of the bones is a risk factor for fractures.
It is one of the many silent diseases that are installed without symptoms and can advance to dangerous levels if not treated early. Osteopenia is a decrease in bone mass relatively mild, but if caught early is controllable and in some cases reversed.
The ancestors were empirical science, that is, they were based on experience, and most of their knowledge has been ratified by contemporary science, which has established multiple applications Nopal.
This plant improves metabolism, which is the process by which exploit the nutrients and balances the digestive system also is excellent for reducing blood sugar and lower levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, two of the most common fats in the body.
The healing properties of Nopal have been exploited by the pharmaceutical industry of several countries, including Japan, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland and the United States, who use it as an active ingredient of medicines to treat diabetes, gastritis and also improve blood circulation.
In the case of the cosmetic companies have been aware of the virtues of this plant and have been included in the shampoo, soaps, conditioners and masks, cleansers and moisturizers.
Undoubtedly scientists continue to investigate the properties of this wonderful plant, but what is known about it today is more than sufficient for inclusion in the daily diet and use it frequently.
Regarding the analysis of the content of Nopal in 100 g, 91 g owns moisture, 0.9 g of minerals, 0.1 g fat, 1.3 g protein, 6.7 g of cellulose, calcium 20.4 mg, 17.0 mg of phosphorus, 2.6 mg iron, vitamin C 15.9 mg, 0.04. Vitamin B2 mg and 0.03 mg of vitamin B1.
It is used as food, pickled, soups, breads, desserts and jams, in cosmetics such as shampoos, rinses, conditioners and cleansers and moisturizers, and medicinal products stems or stalks, if consumed 1,500 grams. in 10 days, they are excellent to combat diabetes by reducing average 31.0 mg Cholesterol / Triglycerides dll 93.5 mg / dll Glucose 4.0 mg / dll.
An important point that is worth noting is that the Nopal has few demands on its handling, which results in remarkably high tolerance to nutrient-poor soils or under poor irrigation methods, fertilization and pest control.
Indicated that the Nopal belongs to the genus Opuntia, this indicates that belong to that nature is edible so it is not toxic. However, there are some species that are easier to use than others, and this is basically the contents of the thorns.
El Nopal also what we find as concentrated extract through nutritional supplements, capsules and vials exist Nopal concentrate intended to achieve greater effectiveness
