Nopal cactus
Opuntia ficus-indica
Vegetables. Dr. Sebi's list and Latin American & Amazon.
Also called Prickly pear, Indian fig, Cactus pads
Spanish: Nopal
Can lower blood sugarA cactus whose flat pads are eaten as a vegetable. A few small human trials suggest modest blood sugar effects, and the evidence is mixed.
Did you know? The eagle on Mexico's national coat of arms sits on a nopal cactus, a national symbol that comes from an old Aztec legend.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Blood sugar. A few small human studies show lower blood sugar after meals. Results are mixed, and reviews call the evidence too thin.Early proof
- Cholesterol. Small studies hint at lower cholesterol. Results are mixed.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
In Mexico, nopal pads are a daily vegetable. Folk healers use them for blood sugar and digestion.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Hypoglycemic, Nutritive. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Eaten as cooked pads, in salads, or as juice. Studies used pads or juice at varying amounts, so no standard dose is set.
Food, juice and capsule.
Where to get it
Grows across Mexico, the southwestern United States and parts of South America and the Mediterranean. Sold as fresh pads, juice, powder and capsules. Tiny spines can stick in skin and eyes.
Be careful
Can lower blood sugar too far when used with diabetes medicines. Fine spines can stick in the skin or eyes. Large amounts may cause diarrhea in some people.
Avoid if: diabetes medicines; bowel blockage.
Mixing with other things
- Use cautionDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Can lower blood sugar more than intended when used with diabetes medicines.
Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.
The honest take
Nopal is a real food with fiber, and it may help blood sugar a little. The human studies are small and mixed. Its effects on weight and cholesterol remain unproven.