The Nopal cactus has been called a superfruit. That’s because its powerful
antioxidant betalains have been known to boost the health and well-being
of all who drink in its powers.
But don’t just take our word for it. See what the scientific research community
has to say.
Anti-Toxin activity
- “Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) protects against oxidative damage induced by
the mycotoxin zearalenone in Balb/C mice.” (Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 May;46(5):1817-24.)
- “Opuntia ficus indica extract protects against chlorpyrifos-induced damage
on mice liver.” (Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 Feb;46(2):797-802.)
- “Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. fruit juice protects liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced
injury.” (Phytother Res. 2005 Sep;19(9):796-800.)
Anti-Inflammatory
- “An anti-inflammatory principle from cactus.” (Fitoterapia. 2001 Mar;72(3):288-90)
- “Antioxidant betalains from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial
ICAM-1 expression.” (Gentile C, Tesoriere L, Allegra M, Livrea MA, D’Alessio
P. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Dec;1028:481-6.)
- “Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on symptoms of the alcohol hangover.”
(Wiese J, McPherson S, Odden MC, Shlipak MG. Arch Intern Med. 2004 Jun 28;164(12):1334-40.)
Immune System Boost
- “Betalains a betacyanin pigment purified from fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica
induces apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia Cell line-K562.” (Phytomedicine.
2007 Nov;14(11):739-46.)
- “Antioxidant betalains from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial
ICAM-1 expression.” (Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004 Dec;1028:481-6.)
- “Modulation of intracellular calcium concentrations and T cell activation
by prickly pear polyphenols.” (Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 May;260(1-2):103-10.)
Brain Protection
- “Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase expression in activated microglia and
peroxynitrite scavenging activity by Opuntia ficus indica var. saboten.” (Phytother
Res. 2006 Sep;20(9):742-7.)
- “Interventions for protecting against or treating alcohol hangover: systematic
review of randomised controlled trials.” BMJ. 2005 Dec 24;331(7531):1515-8.)
- “Opuntia ficus-indica attenuates neuronal injury in in-vitro and in vivo models
of cerebral ischemia.” (J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Mar 8;104(1-2):257-62.)
- “Effect of Opuntia ficus indica on symptoms of the alcohol hangover.”
(Arch Intern Med. 2004 Jun 28;164(12):1334-40.)
- “Neuroprotective effects of antioxidative flavonoids, quercetin, (+)-dihydroquercetin
and quercetin 3-methyl ether, isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten.”
(Brain Res. 2003 Mar 7;965(1-2):130-6.)