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Cactus leaves are part of the cactus plant (Opuntia ficusindica). This cactus plant is a plant belonging to the Cactaceae family. All members of the Cactaceae family have leaves, flowers, and roots. Cactus can live well in dry areas because this plant does not require much water to live. Here's an article on the benefits of cactus leaves for health.
Cactus plants absorb water and store it in their trunks. Most of the cactus grows in America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and India. Some literature says that cactus comes from the mountains of Mexico. Later cultivation of this cactus plant is done in South Africa and spread to other countries.
Currently countries in the world seem to have been interested to utilize cactus leaves for health problems. Everyone wants to start eating well and healthy because there are many increasing diseases in the modern era that cause deaths such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and others. Here are the benefits of cactus leaves for health.
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Here are the benefits of cactus leaves for health:
HELP WEIGHT WEIGHT
High cactus leaves will be fiber that can help you lose weight. The fibers in cactus leaves can keep blood sugar levels, filling, reducing hunger and also controlling the calorie intake for the body.PREVENT DIABETES
If you have a family history of diabetes and you are worried also suffering from the same disease, eating cactus leaves can be a good choice to prevent it. In addition to maintaining normalcy of blood sugar levels, cactus leaf can also significantly prevent the body from diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. Research also found that cactus is a complete substitute for blood sugar medicine for diabetic patients.PREVENT OBESITY
Obesity has become one of the major public health problems around the world. WHO reported that in 1998 a 90% increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30-40% of heart disease caused by obesity. Cactus leaves contain fiber that can maintain a balance of weight and contain antioxidants that can help protect the body's cells from the mutations that cause obesity.INCREASING DIGESTIONS
The presence of dietary fiber dissolved in cactus leaves can improve bowel movement and relieve food to pass through the digestive tract. High fiber foods in cactus leaves also help the peristaltic movement and make food more digestible.BREATHING THE STOMACH SETTLES
Cactus leaves can soothe the stomach and soothe uncomfortable feelings such as vomiting, nausea and others. Cactus leaves are considered cold vegetables and can help alleviate digestive tract problems.PREVENT SEMBELATES
High fiber on cactus leaves can help bowel movements and also absorb water from the colon thus making the bowel process easier. If you have constipation, consuming cactus leaves can significantly ease your constipation.KEEPING THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Cactus leaves contain abundant polysaccharide fiber and a few sterols that can increase either fat or HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) and reduce LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) otherwise known as the level of bad fats in the blood. By reducing cholesterol in the body, cactus leaves have helped the body to maintain the health of the cardiovascular system.CLEANING BIG USUS
The fiber content in the cactus leaves can also cleanse the intestines of the toxic and other toxic substances left in the colon. By cleansing the colon, cactus leaf fibers can improve your health that will also affect your immune level.KEEPING HEART OF HEART
Cactus leaves contain antioxidants and flavonoids that can neutralize the effects of free radicals before entering the liver. The antioxidant content of cactus leaves can also absorb toxins and help the liver work to remove toxins from the body.PREVENT PERSON
The presence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in cactus leaves will reduce and prevent the body from inflammation caused by free radical effects.REDUCING POSSIBLE DISEASES
The anti-inflammatory properties of cactus leaves can work everywhere including in joints. These properties are useful for reducing pain in the joints and reducing the symptoms of arthritis.PREVENT CANCER
Research conducted by Rodríguez-García et al in 2007 found that cactus leaves are rich in calcium and effective in preventing colon cancer. High antioxidant components in cactus leaf can also provide protection against most types of cancer.TREATING UPGRADE
Cactus leaves can control the excess production of stomach acid in the stomach and protect the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract of strong stomach acid. This will be very beneficial for people suffering from stomach ulcers.REDUCING HEART DISEASE RISK
By reducing cholesterol, preventing atherosclerosis and maintaining cardiovascular function, cactus leaves can reduce the risk of heart disease. Cactus leaves also contain some amount of minerals that can make the heart beat normally.KEEPING EYE HEALTH
Cactus leaves contain some amount of Vitamin A that can help maintain eye health and improve vision.PREVENT ANEMIA
Like green vegetables, cactus leaves also contain iron which can help increase the production of red blood cells and prevent anemia.KEEPING BONE HEALTH
Consuming cactus leaves can help keep bone mineral density in the body. Cactus leaves contain calcium, known as minerals that can increase bone growth.
Side Effects Consume Cactus Leaf
Cactus leaves do have many benefits for the body, but in some cases mention that cactus leaves can cause mild diarrhea, nausea, full abdomen, headache, increased stool volume and low colonic obstruction.
Someone who has liver disorders, kidney disorders and diabetes should consult a doctor first before consuming cactus leaves because consuming excessive cactus leaves can also produce hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and other side effects.
Cactus leaves should be avoided by children, pregnant and lactating women.