What is Nopal?
Nopal, also called the Opuntia cactus , comes from the Opuntia ficus indica. This cactus originates from Mexico.
The leaves have been used for centuries in traditional Mexican cuisine, where they are eaten boiled, grilled, or raw. The fruits, also known as "tunas," are often made into juice or jam.
Nopal supplements primarily use the leaves of the Opuntia cactus. These leaves contain the most nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
What are Nopal Supplements Good For?
Opuntia supplements, also known as Nopal, may offer several benefits:
1. Contributes to stable blood sugar levels *
The fiber in Opuntia helps slow the absorption of carbohydrates, keeping blood sugar levels more stable without major spikes and dips. This can help maintain normal blood sugar levels. (1)
2. Supports healthy cholesterol levels and proper bowel function *
The fiber also supports normal cholesterol levels and healthy digestion (by supporting intestinal function). (1)
3. Contributes to reducing oxidative stress *
The polyphenols in the leaves of Opuntia, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, act as antioxidants.
Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and help reduce oxidative stress, which is beneficial for overall health. (2)
4. May help maintain a healthy body fat percentage*
There are indications that Opuntia can bind fats in the intestines, causing the body to absorb less fat. This can help maintain a healthy body fat percentage. (3)
Good to know: Claims marked with (*) are health claims that are still awaiting approval by the European authorities.
What is Neopuntia ® Nopal Cactus extract?
Neopuntia® is the world's most thoroughly researched Nopal cactus extract, developed by Nexira. This extract is known for its high quality and effectiveness.
Sustainable production - Nexira is committed to sustainable production and collaborates with local farmers. They ensure fair prices for the cultivation of Nopal cacti, which benefits both the farmers and the environment.
Reliable - Neopuntia® is standardized to a specific amount of active ingredient, meaning you receive the same dose of the extract every day. The product meets strict quality standards, so you can trust the consistency and effectiveness of the extract.
Nopal Premium with Neopuntia® and chromium picolinate
In addition to this powerful Opuntia extract, our Nopal supplement also contains an effective dose of chromium picolinate.
Why chrome with Neopuntia?
Chromium has been added to the formula because, like Nopal, it helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Because your body can only absorb small amounts of chromium from food, we've chosen chromium picolinate. This is a highly absorbable form of chromium that your body can effectively absorb from the supplement.
This combination makes Nopal Premium an ideal supplement that is not only good for stable blood sugar levels, but also contributes to healthy digestion and cholesterol levels.
Sources used:
- Chen, R., Ma, K., Li, S., Zhou, X., & Chen, H. (2023). Protective effects and mechanisms of opuntia polysaccharide in animal models of diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal Of Ethnopharmacology , 312 , 116490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116490
- Marhri, A., Rbah, Y., Allay, A., Boumediene, M., Tikent, A., Benmoumen, A., Melhaoui, R., Elamrani, A., Abid, M., & Addi, M. (2024). Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant Potency and Phenolic Compounds in Fruit Peel of Opuntia robusta, Opuntia dillenii, and Opuntia ficus-indica Using HPLC‐DAD Profiling. Journal Of Food Quality , 2024 (1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2742606
- Onakpoya, I. J., O'Sullivan, J., & Heneghan, C. J. (2014). The effect of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Nutrition , 31 (5), 640–646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2014.11.015
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With a busy lifestyle, it's much easier to grab a snack every now and then when you get hungry. Often, you don't have time to prepare a whole meal. The problem with today's snacks is that they're loaded with sugar. After eating such a snack, you often just feel unhealthy and fat. You're actually much better off eating protein-rich snacks! Did you know? Protein helps you feel full because it stimulates the release of hormones that curb your appetite, stabilize your blood sugar levels, and slow your digestion.(1) High-protein snacks, however, are notorious for being nutritious but not tasty. That's a thing of the past. These days, there are plenty of protein snacks that are actually delicious. In this article, I've compiled a list of 10 high-protein snacks for you that you probably haven't heard of yet! Protein-rich snacks provide satiety, stabilize blood sugar, and support health by activating appetite-suppressing hormones. 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In summary In short, Greek yogurt parfait, celery sticks with peanut butter, carrots with yogurt dip, roasted chickpeas, turkey rolls, cheese popcorn, egg muffins, chia pudding, overnight oatmeal, and jerky are all high-protein snacks that aren't yet very popular in the Netherlands. I'd say: Try a few and see for yourself! Lars Keijzers Lars is a biobased chemist with an insatiable interest in nutrition and science. He also enjoys exploring personal development and can be found regularly at the local gym. Read more
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