Consumption of Nopal Powder in Adult Women.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease in adult women caused by menopause and some other factors, which entails deficiency of calcium in diet. Natural products are the best source of nutriments to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a plant characterized by its nutritional components and benefits to health. Its calcium content increases with maturation process that could be beneficial for consumers. Nopal powder (NP) was elaborated from nopal harvested within 16-24 weeks of maturation, and the nutritional content was determined. An experimental clinical trial was performed to evaluate the effect of NP. A total of 69 women between 40 and 60 years old participated in the study. During 24 weeks, experimental group (n = 56) consumed a daily dose of 5 g of NP and control group (n = 13) continue with habitual diet. Changes in bone mineral density (BMD), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and serum calcium were assessed. Between baseline and after 24 weeks of consumption, no significant changes were found in BMD P = .885 experimental group and P = .970 control group, BMI P = .865 experimental group and P = .984 control group, body fat P = .744 experimental group and P = .740 control group and serum calcium P = .282 experimental group and P = .959 control group. These results indicate that advanced maturation NP does not have influence in bone health, BMI, and body composition in adult women.

Glycemic index and glycemic load in the Opuntia ficus-indica fruit / Índice glucémico y carga glucémica en el fruto de la especie vegetal Opuntia ficus-indica

There is evidence that support the clinical usage of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) in the prevention of chronic disease. Objective: To determine the GI and GL of the Opuntia ficus-indica fruit. Methodology: An analytic, transversal study was made involving 25 healthy volunteers accepted by an informed consent with a normal body mass index, glucose, glycoside hemoglobin, cholesterol and serum triglycerides. The homogeneity of the population was evaluated with anthropometrical and biochemical data using principal component analysis (PCA). The equivalent of 50 g of carbohydrates test food (tuna) and 50 g of dextrose as food standard was provided for the measure of the glucose curve. The GI was determined by calculating the area under the curve by the triangulation method. The CG was reported as the product of IG by carbohydrate loading provided. Results and Conclusions: The IG of the tuna was 48.01 ± 17.4, classified as low, while the CG was 24.0 ± 8.7 rated as high. The chemometric analysis by PCA showed that the selection of the normal population for determining the IG, it is important to consider the values of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Existe evidencia que apoya la utilidad clínica de que el índice glucémico (IG) y la carga glucémica (CG) podrían ser impor- tantes en la prevención de enfermedades crónicas. Objetivo: Determinar el IG y la CG del fruto de Opuntia ficus-indica (tuna). Metodología: Se realizó un estudio analítico, transversal, con 25 voluntarios sanos con valores normales de índice de masa corporal, glucosa, hemoglobina glucosilada, colesterol y triglicéridos séricos, que mediante consentimiento informado acepta- ron participar. Con los datos antropométricos y bioquímicos se evaluó la homogeneidad de la población usando análisis de componente principal (PCA). Se proporcionó el equivalente a 50 g de hidratos de carbono de alimento de prueba (tuna) y 50 g de dextrosa como alimento estándar para medir la curva de glucosa. El IG se determinó calculando el área bajo la curva por el método de triangulación. La CG se reportó como el producto del IG por la carga de hidratos de carbono propor- cionada. Resultados y conclusiones: El IG de la tuna fue de 48.01 ± 17.4, clasificado como bajo, mientras que la CG fue de 24.0 ± 8.7, clasificada como alta. El análisis quimiométrico por PCA demostró que, en la selección de la población normal para la determinación del IG, es importante considerar los valores de colesterol y triglicéridos en sangre.