Is There Any Truth to the Nopal Weight Loss Craze?

Shine Latina editor

Nopal products are everywhere- infomercials, health food stores and the internet. Their beneficial claims run the gamut including its ability to lower blood pressure, bad cholesterol and glucose levels. We do know that it's full of fiber, vitamins and phytonutrients (nutrients derived from plant material), but will it make you lose weight?

Nopal cactus with fruit
Nopal cactus with fruit

WHAT IS NOPAL?
Nopal is a type of cactus that grows in Mexico and the southwest of the US; its fruit, also called nopal or prickly pear, is a popular food item among the people of its region. Both the pad of the cactus and the fruit can be eaten. The prickly pear plant can be eaten raw when it ripens, with a taste similar to watermelon with the texture of a kiwi. The pad is cooked and used to make salads or a side dish.

FACTS VS. FICTION

-Lowers cholesterol?Probably. There's some evidence that eating both the cactus and its fruit may lower bad cholesterol in the blood, but there are no final conclusions yet from the medical community.

-Lowers blood sugar? Yes.Medical studies have shown that consuming nopal helps lower blood insulin levels.

-Helps with stomach problems? Probably. Preliminary studies are beginning to find that nopal stems may help with the lining of the stomach, and since it's rich in fiber, it helps with digestion.

-Relieves joint and muscular inflammation? Likely. Preliminary studies suggest that nopal does have an effect in reducing body inflammation.

-A hangover cure? Yes. A medical study shows that nopal helped relieve the symptoms of nausea, loss of appetite and dry mouth common with hangovers.

-Decreases prostate enlargement? Probably. Studies are finding that the nopal may help reduce the size of the prostate and relieve related symptoms.

-Causes weight loss? The jury is still out on this one. Successfully used as a detoxifying agent, taken in large quantities nopal may provoke intestinal upset. It also has pectin (found in apples) which helps the body to slow down the absorption of carbohydrates causing possible weight loss. Currently, the results are anecdotal in nature as there are no conclusive medical studies.

Prickly Pear or Cactus Fruit
Prickly Pear or Cactus Fruit

COOKING WITH CACTUS
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on nopal supplements, why not try preparing a meal with it? It would be a great way of enjoying the potential health benefits of the cactus without doing damage to the pocket. Besides, it may be your next favorite thing to eat.

Here are some recipes to get your started!
Scrambled Eggs with Cactus
Ensalada de Nopalitos