Nopales are an amazingly healthy kind of cacti that has a wide array of health benefits. Furthermore, the health benefits of nopales comprise their ability to help in losing weight, regulate and improve the digestion, protect the heart health, improve the skin health, and prevent cancer. Not only that, nopales is also beneficial in reducing inflammation, treating insomnia, building stronger bones, optimizing the metabolic activity and boost the immunity.
What Are Nopales?
Actually, nopales are some kind of cacti and are classified as a vegetable. Furthermore, it is from the pads of underdeveloped pear cacti. Its pads that are vegetative are very useful and comes in purple or green color, also, it is almost the same as the hand, when it comes to its size. Moreover, its consistency somewhat lies the green beans or the green peppers.
Furthermore, nopales Is native to the regions in Central America as well as Mexico. Also, in these countries, they use nopales in their cuisines. Moreover, they are common in Mexico, that’s why nopales are popular products from Mexico. In fact, many exports it to some parts of Texas.
Nutrition Facts of Nopales
Here are the nutritional facts of nopales:
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
| Dietary fiber | 2.2 grams | 5.5% |
| Protein | 1.32 grams | 2% |
| Total fat | 0.09 grams | <1% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.33 grams | 2.56% |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligram | 0% |
| Energy | 16 Kcal | <1% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin E | 0.00 milligram | 0% |
| Vitamin K | 5.3 µg | 4.4% |
| Vitamin A | 457 IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 9.3 milligrams | 15.5% |
| Thiamin | 0.012 milligrams | 1% |
| Riboflavin | 0.041 milligrams | 3% |
| Niacin | 0.410 milligrams | 2.5% |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.167 milligrams | 3% |
| Folates | 3 µg | <1% |
| Minerals | ||
| Zinc | 0.21 milligrams | 5% |
| Phosphorus | 16 milligrams | 3% |
| Selenium | 0.7 µg | 1% |
| Manganese | 0.457 milligrams | 20% |
| Magnesium | 52 milligrams | 13% |
| Iron | 0.59 milligrams | 7% |
| Calcium | 164 milligrams | 16% |
| Copper | 0.052 milligrams | 6% |
Health Benefits of Nopales
Here are some of the greatest health benefits of nopales:
- Nopales helps to Improve Sleep
Nopales also have a mineral content named magnesium, this mineral is useful for inducing sleep especially for those who are experiencing insomnia, restlessness or the so-called chronic anxiety. It also aids to prompt the serotonin release in the body that helps to increase the melatonin levels of the body.
Aside from inducing sleep, Nopales also have a sedative effect. The sedative effect makes the body calm because it reduces the nerve function that will eventually make you fall asleep.
- Nopales can Cure Ulcers
Nopales can treat gastric ulcers, recent studies have proven and verified these effects. Apparently, the fibrous and mucilage material in nopales prevent the development of gastric ulcers, which may develop because of excessive intake of alcohol. Hence, those who regularly suffer from this condition, they must add some of these types of vegetables to their own diet and make their health much better.
- Nopales is Anti-inflammatory Agent
The most vital part of Nopales is its leaves. in fact, the juice of the leaves has an anti-inflammatory effect in our body. Furthermore, these effect helps to induce the symptoms related to arthritis, muscle strain, and joint pain. To experience the effect, you must apply the juice to the affected area or you can also eat the vegetable itself.
- Nopales helps Build Stronger Bones
The great leaves of Nopales have mineral contents that include a high calcium level. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that calcium is an important mineral to build stronger bones and a good help for repairing damaged bones.
Some more health benefits of nopales
- Nopales can Prevent Cancer
The vitamin C, flavonoid compounds as well as some of the phytonutrients present in nopales are beneficial in preventing cancer. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of the vegetable are also beneficial in getting rid of the free radicals. In fact, it is also beneficial in eliminating them in the body, even before they multiply in the cells. This is actually one of the best health benefits of nopales.
- Nopales can Cure constipation problems
The juicy paddles from nopales are rich homes of dietary fiber, particularly non-carbohydrate polysaccharides, such as mucilage, hemicellulose, and pectin.Furthermore, together these kinds of stuff are beneficial in reducing the blood sugar levels, body weight, and LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol.
- Nopales Controls Diabetes
The leaf extracts of nopales are beneficial in regulating the glucose levels in the body. to those who have type 2 diabetes, it may help in reducing the spike in the glucose levels, thus making it easier to manage the condition.
Probable Risks of Nopales
The juice from nopales is combined with some other juices, just like orange, pineapple, or grapefruit. These may have a large amount of sugar. Thus, those people who have diabetes must monitor the amount of sugar they intake. It is better to choose fresh fruit instead of juice.
Moreover, in many regions in Mexico, vendors sell fresh nopales juice after rinsing the plant with only tap water.
Due to the inability of the vegetable to control and distress the levels of blood sugar, it may become hypoglycemic. Here, excessive consumption is a no-no. These are just the only concerns when it comes to nopales. All in all, nopales is delicious and is highly nutritious. So if you are looking for some good addition to your diet, you can try this vegetable out. You may check the grocery stores near you, they might be available there!
