Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contains 15 Highly Potent Phytonutrients
(1) Terpenes |
(8) Isoflavones |
(*) See References and Disclaimer at bottom the of the page.
(1) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Terpenes
Foods such as grains, soy products, and greens contain Terpenes which is the term for a broad class of Phytonutrients.Terpenes are strong smelling compounds that have led scientists to believe they serve a protective function to the plants that they come from. The term Terpenoids is used to describe such a large variety of compounds, and as such it's not possible to explain all of them using one over-arcing characteristic(1*), (2*), (3*).
(2) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a subclass of Terpenes and can be recognized by their red, orange and/or bright yellow pigmentation. If you'd like to see an example of Carotenoids for yourself, look no further than vegetables like red palm oil, tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and oranges. Carotenoids aren't limited to plants either, some animals have adapted this compound to make themselves more colorful: the flamingo owes its bright pink feathers to the Carotenoids in the crustaceans that it eats. There are more than 600 natural occurring Carotenoids(4*).
Carotenoids are often touted as amazing health foods because of their ability to be turned into Vitamin A (in the form of retinol) once ingested(*). This is only partially true. In reality, less than 10% of Carotenoids possess Vitamin A activity which means less than 10% of Carotenoids can be turned into Vitamin A(5*).
A quick breakdown of the compounds that form the bulk of our Vitamin A: Beta Carotene accounts for about 50%-54% of the activity while Alpha-Carotene and Epsilon Carotene share around 42%-50% of the activity. The reason Beta Carotene is responsible for more Vitamin A production is that it has two retinyl groups which can be turned into retinol whereas the Alpha and Epsilon compounds only have one retinyl group each and thus less raw material to convert into Vitamin A(6*).
The Carotenes mentioned above as well as Gamma Carotene, Lutein, and Lycopene—of which none will convert to Vitamin A — show evidence of guarding against prostate, uterine, breast, colorectal and lung cancers(7*).
(3) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Phytosterols
Phytosterols are found in all plant foods and are compounds that are close in structure to the cholesterol found in our own bodies. The benefit to these plant sterols is that they help to lower LDL or the "bad" cholesterol(8*). In addition to lowering cholesterol, Phytosterols have been demonstrated to promote healthy cardiovascular, prostate, and colon health(9*).
(4) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Phenols
These days, Phenols are both naturally occurring and artificially created. All things are not created equal and you should avoid manufactured Phenols as ingestion can lead to anything from toxic effects to (possibly) a greater risk of cancer. On the other hand, natural Phenols like those found in wine, chocolate and nopal cactus (prickly pear) are nothing to shy away from. In fact, they provide some terrific benefits to overall health.
The two main advantages of natural Phenols are anti-oxidant properties and a reduction in LDL or "bad" cholesterol. We say "bad" cholesterol because there are two kinds: LDL and HDL. Think of the LDL (the bad kind) as melted candle wax. If you spill candle wax on a keyboard it finds its way into all the cracks, crevices, and small spaces—it blocks everything up. Now, think of HDL as a foam ball. Drop a foam ball onto a keyboard and you can just pick it back up. It doesn't seep into the cracks and small spaces—it doesn't block anything. This, in essence, is why you want more HDL and less LDL(10*).
Phenols guard against the damage done by a lifetime of breathing oxygen. If that sounds a bit strange, that's because it is! Free radicals and the damage they cause are actually a side-effect of the body utilizing oxygen. Since you don't have the option to stop breathing, it's important to get enough antioxidants in your diet to minimize the damage caused by oxidation.
(5) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Flavonoids
Flavonoids are a particularly beneficial compound. They are thought to help protect against allergies, free radicals, hepatotoxins (toxins which damage the liver), inflammation, microbes, tumors, ulcers, and viruses(11*).
In addition to that, Flavonoids also block certain enzymes such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that can cause chronic high blood pressure(12*).
Flavonoids protect the vascular system and strengthen the tiny capillaries that deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body(13*). Moreover, they reduce the chance of developing estrogen-induced cancer by blocking estrogen-producing enzymes(14*).
(6) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Anthocyanidins
Also called Flavonals, anthocyanidins produce "bridges" or cross-links that strengthen and connect the collagen protein's intertwined strands(15*). Collagen makes up the bone matrix, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues of the human body. As a bonus, anthocyanidins also have antioxidant properties(16*).
(7) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Catechins, Gallic Acids
Catechins slightly differ from other flavonoids when it comes to their chemical structure but share the same chemoprotective properties. The most ordinary type of catechins are gallic esters: epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epicatechin (EC(17*), (18)).
(8) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Isoflavones
These Phenol subclass' Phytonutrients come from legumes such as beans and are distantly related to Flavonoids. Isoflavones may stop certain enzymes that can increase the chance of developing tumors(19*). Individuals who regularly eat a diet high in Isoflavones are at a reduced risk of developing prostate, uterine and breast cancers(20*).
(9) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Thiols
This Sulfur-containing class of Phytonutrients are found in garlic and vegetables that are cruciferous, such as members of the mustard family, turnips, and cabbages. Thiols are quite powerful antioxidants(21*), but it's important to note that their antioxidant properties are affected by the phytochemicals they interact with. What this means is that the best way to ensure the Thiols you consume do as good a job as possible is to eat or supplement your diet with as many sources of phytonutrients as you can. A simple solution would be to supplement your diet with our Natural Home Cures Freeze Dried Nopal Powder Capsules (Prickly Pear(22*), (23*)).
(10) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Glucosinolates
Glucosinolates, which are present in cruciferous vegetables, are potent activators of enzymes that detoxify the liver. Also, they can regulate white blood cells and cytokines. White blood cells are known as the immune system's "scavengers" because they help to eliminate cellular debris while cytokines serve as "messengers" that coordinates all the immune cells' activities(24*), (25*), (26*), (27*).
(11) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Allylic Sulfides
The most influential members of this thiol subclass come from chives, garlic, leeks, onion and shallots. Many biotransformation products are produced once oxygen passes through the cells of the plants. Allylic Sulfides possess anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties as well as protect the cardiovascular and immune systems(28*). Moreover, they may also help lower cholesterol and protect against parasites, fungi, and tumors(29*), (30*).
(12) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Indoles
This branch of phytonutrients interacts with Vitamin C. Vegetables that have indoles in them also have a significant amount of Vitamin C. Indoles are prized for their ability to fight carcinogens and for their ability to stimulate enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract which help with detoxification(31*). The indoles' biotransformation products are produced when stomach acid (Hydrochloric Acid) reacts with Indoles(32*), (33*).
(13) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Isoprenoids
Isoprenoids are antioxidants that work in a peculiar way: they neutralize the free radicals via a lengthy carbon side chain, which they use to "move" into fatty membranes(34*). Free radicals that try to bind themselves to the fatty (a.k.a. lipid) membranes are unable to do so. Thus, Isoprenoids are considered to have direct antioxidant activity(35*).
(14) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Tocotrienols And Tocopherols
Tocotrienols occur naturally in grains and palm oil along with their cousins, tocopherols (Vitamin E). Tocotrienols may inhibit breast cancer cell growth whereas tocopherols do not exhibit this effect(36*). Researchers have observed that the biologic functions of tocopherols and tocotrienols appear unrelated(37*), (38*). Tocotrienols have been widely studied for their cholesterol-lowering effects(39*).
(15) Nopal Cactus (Prickly Pear) Contain Lipoic Acid And Ubiquinone
Ubiquinone, a.k.a. Coenzyme Q-10 and lipoic acid are vital antioxidants that work to boost other antioxidants' effects. Lipoic acid acts as a potent destroyer of hydroxyl radicals(40*).
Aside from eliminating hydroxyl radicals, it also protects against chromanoxyl, ascorbyl and peroxyl radicals(41*).
Lipoic Acid differs from antioxidants like Vitamin C because of its ability to work in both aqueous and lipid phases. What this means is that Lipoic acid can enter and protect all parts of a cell whereas something like Vitamin C cannot. Moreover, Lipoic Acid has also been shown to recycle antioxidants like Vitamin C after they've been "used up(42*)".
Additionally, Lipoic acid helps to strengthen and support the liver's ability to detoxify the body(43*), (44*).
Source References
(1) Wikipedia: Terpenes
(2) Institute of Chemistry: Terpenes
(3) US National Library of Medicine: Terpenes
(4) Wikipedia: Carotenoid
(5) International Carotenoid Society: International Carotenoid Society
(6) US National Library of Medicine: Carotenoids
(7) PubMed: Biosynthesis of carotenoids
(8) Wikipedia: Phytosterols
(9) WebMD: Beta-Sitosterol Plant Extract Topic Overview
(10) Wikipedia - Phenols
(11) PubMed: Phytonutrients' Role in Metabolism
(12) Micronutrient Information Center - Flavonoids
(13) PubMed - Fruit Tissues of Citrus Species
(14) USDA - Database of Flavonoid content of food
(15) Wikipedia: Anthocyanidins
(16) WebMD: Anthocyanidins
(17) Wikipedia: Catechin
(18) WebMD: Catechin
(19) Wikipedia: Isoflavones
(20) WebMD: Isoflavones
(21) Wikipedia: Thiols
(22) University of Calgary: Thiols
(23) Britannica: Thiols
(24) Wikipedia: Glucosinolates
(25) MetaCyc: Glucosinolate Metabolism Pathways
(26) ResearchGate: Glucosinolates for taste preference and bitterness of Brussels sprouts
(27) Oregon State University - Cruciferous Vegetables
(28) Organic Chemistry: Allylic Sulfides
(29) PubMed: Allylic Sulfides
(30) PubMed: Allylic Sulfides
(31) Wikipedia: Indole
(32) Chem Synthesis: Synthesis and Properties of Indoles
(33) ChemSpider: Indoles
(34) Britannica: Isoprenoid
(35) PubMed: Isoprenoids Suppress The Growth of Murine B16 Melanomas In Vitro and in Vivo.
(36) Wikipedia: Tocotrienol
(37) National Institutes of Health: Vitamin E Fact Sheet
(38) US National Library of Medicine Tocotrienols
(39) PubMed - "Tocotrienols: Vitamin E Beyond Tocopherols"
(40) Stanford University - Coenzyme Q10: An Antioxidant Drug
(41) National Cancer Institute: Coenzyme Q10
(42) American Family Physician: Coenzyme Q10
(43) Gibson Research Corporation: An Introduction to Coenzyme Q10
(44) Oregon State University: Coenzyme Q10