Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Book Appointment
Treatment
Ask a Question
Plan my Surgery
Health Feed
tab_logos
About
tab_logos
Health Feed

Nopales (Nagphani) Health Benefits, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 16, 2020

Topic Image

Napoles plant, commonly referred to as’ nagphani’. It is a type of cactus that is immensely popular for its benefits it provides to the human body. In fact, it can be used to treat conditions like inflammation, insomnia, weight loss, etc. Some of the other possible benefits include protecting the bones and tackling insomnia.

Nopales juice benefits includes protecting the heart from certain diseases and disorders. This useful cactus is commonly found in Mexico and used either in the form of a pickle or a canned item.

Nopales (Nagphani)

Napoles, commonly referred to as the nagphani is a sensational cactus that is often used because of its potential to produce some of the best health benefits. This type of cacti is made from the soft pads of little prickly cacti (pear type). A cacti pad is often the size of a human hand and is either green or purple.

Nopales is a native of Central America and Mexico. Some say that, its consistency is somewhat between green beans and peppers. It is often found in pickled or canned form and is widely used in the United States and some parts of Texas.

Here we discuss nopales health benefits and its nutritional details. You can use nopales cactus in various ways such as you can drink nopales juice or use nopales oil. Read out the nopales cactus benefits, side effects, its uses and cultivation details.

Nutritional Value of Nopales (Nagphani)

Nagphani is extremely famous for its rich source of vitamins and nutrients. The presence of some phytochemicals and certain polysaccharides in napoles is an added benefit. It is immensely rich in potassium, manganese, magnesium, and calcium.

Nagphani is also very rich in vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, copper, Iron, and fiber. The various health benefits of nopales are attributed to the presence of these vitamins and minerals in it.

Nutritional facts Per 100 grams

16
Calories
0.1 g
Total Fat
20 mg
Sodium
195 mg
Potassium
3.3 g
Total Carbohydrate
1.4 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

8 %
Vitamin A
0.16
Calcium
8 %
Vitamin C
2 %
Iron
5 %
Vitamin B-6
11 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of Nopales (Nagphani)

Topic Image

Let check out the benefits of nopales for diabetes patients, this amazing cactus plant helps in controlling and regulating sugar level, as it contains a good amount of fiber content which beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients. Also, check out nopales benefits for skin, hair, and weight loss management. Eating nopales fruit and drinking its juice good for open wounds, liver, and oral health.

Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Nopales juice, we also discuss the side effects of eating raw nopales fruit in different health conditions. Also read out nopales plant cultivation details to know more about it.

Excellent Anti-inflammatory Properties Present in Nopales

The presence of anti-inflammatory agents in napoles oil makes it a perfect inflammation fighting agent. Research suggests that, oil extracted from nagphani cactus can be helpful when applied to the skin due to the presence of phenolic and betalains in these cacti.

Nopales cactus oil can also be used to treat swelling or insect bites in addition to helping, fight against extreme skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis

Nopales for Oral Health

Studies show that one cup of napoles contains the required amount of calcium to strengthen and enhance our bones and teeth (As recommended by the FDA). Adequate levels of calcium is very much essential to protect our teeth and bones. So there is a need to include a generous amount of calcium in our diet. for that include Nopalesin your lifestyle.

Protects Your Heart With Nopales Cactus

The generous level of fiber present in nopales cactus helps in reducing the cholesterol levels in the body (bad cholesterol, also referred to as LDL). Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body is very much essential to control the blood pressure level. Nagphani cactus also helps in reducing and controlling hypertension. The failure of the same might lead to certain deadly heart diseases.

The presence of flavonoids in nagphani cactus helps in normalizing the platelets, thus improving your cardiovascular health. Thus, nopales can be very beneficial in maintaining and improving heart health, thus keeping all the diseases at bay.

Use Nopales Cactus to Improve Liver Health.

Liver is one of the essential organs of our body, and there's a pressing need to protect it from various possible diseases and other conditions. Carcinogen luxurious items can often damage the liver, and we tend to consume food items that are rich in it.

It produces significant stress (oxidative) on the liver. Therefore, it is highly recommended to drink nopales juice or nagphani as it is commonly referred to, in any possible form.

The presence ofa generous amount of antioxidants in Nopales Cactus has the potential to reduce significant stress. It also helps in eliminating the free radicals by increasing the antioxidant activities of the body, thus reducing the damage to the liver.

Tackles Cancer

Napoles/nagphani cactus can help protect or tackle cancer well. If you did not know, the presence of generous amounts of flavonoid compounds in nagphani helps in lowering the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and various other types of cancer.

Some studies suggest that the napoles plant is capable of inhibiting the cancer cells. They also help in removing the free radicals by increasing the pro-oxidant enzymes in the body, thus lowering the risk of cancer

Benefits of Nopales for Weight Loss

So what do we do to control obesity at the earliest? Is there a solution? Yes, of course, there is. There a lot of natural remedies there to monitor our body weight. The presence of generous amounts of fiber in nopales cactus helps you stay full for a longer amount of time. It also contributes to eliminating dietary fat by excreting it from the system, thus helping you control weight

Nopales Protects Open Wounds

The phenolic compounds present in napoles cactus can go an extra mile in treating the open wounds and cuts. Oil extracted from these nagphani cactus can also be used to treat various skin infections and blemishes. It heals almost all scars and cut wounds.

Benefits of Nopales Cactus Extract for Hair Regrowth

Nagphani oil is very rich in vitamins, minerals, and various other fatty acids that can be very useful in the nourishment of your hair. The scalp and hair roots should be kept healthy and clean to maintain a healthy hair, and the presence of vitamin E in nopales cactus can be very advantageous to condition and strengthen the hair.

Nopales Oil Enhances Skin Glow & Prevent Skin Damages

Nagphani oil can be used on the skin as it acts as an excellent skin brightening and enhancing agent, which helps protect the skin from the harmful UV rays.

Anti-ageing Agent of Nopales Plant

The presence of vitamins E and vtamin K in nagphani fruit juice makes it an excellent anti-aging agent, thus preventing the occurrence of wrinkles and premature aging

Nagphani Cactus Enhances Digestion Process

Adequate levels of fiber is very much essential to maintain a proper digestive system. An improper digestive system can make you sick and might lead to various other problems.

The presence of generous levels of fiber in nopales fruit can trigger and enhance the enzymes that help in the digestion process, thus breaking down the food we eat and eventually aiding in the proper elimination of wastes from the body.

Eat Nopales Fruit to Get Relieves from Premenstrual Syndromes

Women suffer from a variety of conditions during the premenstrual syndromes (PMS) like headaches, tenderness of the breasts, cramps and various other ailments. An increase in the level of prostaglandins is known to be the cause for these conditions.

So it is highly recommended to consume napoles to treat the above-mentioned conditions as it has the potential to inhibit the synthesis of the prostaglandins.

Uses of Nopales (Nagphani)

From the mentioned health benefits of Nagphani, the possible uses of Napoles (Nagphani) can be known. It is popularly used as a local medicine in many parts of the world to treat various conditions such as constipation, pneumonia and a lot of other conditions.

Nopales also be used in the treatment of open cuts, wounds, scars, swells and burns. Besides acting as an excellent agent in protecting the skin and health, it provides a helping hand to control cholesterol issues, thus maintaining the health of the heart.

If you are on the lookout for a natural remedy to all your health problems, always remember there is a cactus named nagphani that can help.

pms_banner

Side-Effects & Allergies of Nopales (Nagphani)

Though the use of nopales is associated with the above-mentioned benefits, it brings about some side effects in people. It may produce some severe damage to diabetic patients. It might also alter the blood sugar levels. Pregnant women are also advised to not use nagphani.

Origin And Cultivation of Nopales (Nagphani)

Though the use of nopales cactus is associated with the above-mentioned benefits, it brings about some side effects in people. It may produce some severe damage to diabetic patients. It might also alter the blood sugar levels. Pregnant women are also advised to not use nagphani.

References

  • El-Mostafa K, El Kharrassi Y, Badreddine A, Andreoletti P, Vamecq J, El Kebbaj MH, Latruffe N, Lizard G, Nasser B, Cherkaoui-Malki M. Nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a source of bioactive compounds for nutrition, health and disease. Molecules. 2014;19(9):14879-901. [Cited 27 June 2019]. Available from:
  • Hegwood DA. Human health discoveries with Opuntia sp.(prickly pear). HortScience. 1990 Dec 1;25(12):1515-6. [Cited 27 June 2019].
  • Livrea MA, Tesoriere L. Health benefits and bioactive components of the fruits from Opuntia ficus-indica [L.] Mill. Journal of the Professional Association for cactus Development. 2006 Jan 1;8(1):73-90. [Cited 27 June 2019]. Available from:

Popular Questions & Answers

View All

Advice needed from oncosurgeon. My father under...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Anshuman Sahu

General Physician

Your father had already undergone a surgery for tongue cancer. But even after surgery lymph nodes...

Hello, my grandmother has ovarian cancer for 5 ...

related_content_doctor

Dr. N S S Gauri

Unani Specialist

Follow these herbal combinations ras raj ras 1 tablet twice a day ashta moorti avleh 10 gm twice ...

My mother was suffering from brest cancer.in 20...

related_content_doctor

Mr. Cancer Herbalist

Ayurvedic Doctor

It appears that chemo/radio during cancer might have damaged the organs. If problems post vaccina...

My grand mother is diagnosed cervical cancer on...

related_content_doctor

Mr. Cancer Herbalist

Ayurvedic Doctor

Better get it diagnosed with an oncologist for recurrence with mets. If she is aged more than 70 ...

My father is a cancer patient since 2017 but in...

related_content_doctor

Dr. Advanced Cancer Care Centre Network

Oncologist

What is the cancer status? Is he taking any cancer related medicines orally? Need to review all m...

    Delhi
    Mumbai
    Chennai
    Bangalore
    Index

    Table of content

    Content Details
    Profile Image
    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
    Reviewed By
    Profile Image
    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
    chat_icon

    Ask a free question

    Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

    posted anonymously