Nopal

Opuntia species; Prickly Pear Cactus

... Nopal contains a high percentage of carbohydrate fibers known as mucilage and pectin. Mucilage is a substance that does not dissolve, but it does absorb water, so it swells up to form a bulky paste when exposed to fluids. On the other hand, pectin does dissolve in water to become a thick, syrupy liquid. The resulting gooey material is thought to coat and protect the gastrointestinal tract, thereby helping to relieve conditions such as sore throat and irritable bowel syndrome. This coating effect also appears to decrease the absorption of fats and sugars from food. Consequently, both blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels may be lowered. Results from animal studies have shown that nopal may have additional effects that decrease blood sugar and blood cholesterol, but these effects are not clearly understood. In addition, pectin attaches to substances in the stomach or intestines, Because of this effect, nopal may be used to treat diarrhea associated with bacterial infection, because it may bind to the bacteria and cause them to be eliminated from the body. This possible use for nopal also needs more study to determine its effectiveness. ...

Nopales are a vegetable made from the young stem segments of prickly pear, c ...