Cactus dietary fiber is composed of several chemical components that are resistant to digestive enzymes such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin, lignin, gums, etc. [15]. The benefits associated with fiber content are well known, especially for the prevention of illnesses such as diabetes, treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, illnesses associated with low dietary fiber intake, reduction of glucose values in the blood, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hypercholesterolemic effects [16]. Throughout history, the benefits of consuming dietary fiber have been recognized. Soluble fibers, including pectins, gums, and mucilages, increase the viscosity of food in the gut, slowing or reducing sugar absorption. The effect of soluble fiber in reducing serum glucose concentrations is a proposed mechanism of action for the herbal hypoglycemic cactus [1,17]. It has been reported that Opuntia ficusindica contain phenolic compounds like ferulic acid, feruloyl-sucrose and sinapoyl-diglucoside, fatty acids like palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, vaccenic acid and linoleic acid (seeds, peel and juicy pulp) [18]. It has been observed that Opuntia ficus-indica oil extract with these components present antioxidant and anti-free radical activity, having a potential as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic activities [19]. Recently was reported that cactus fiber promote fecal fat excretion, Uebelhack et al. performed a double-bind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover
study in healthy subjects for a period of approximately 45 days.
Cactus fiber tablet contains 500 mg standardized cactus fiber; as well
as common tableting excipients were used. Cactus fiber showed an
increased fecal fat excretion compared with placebo. No adverse events
were reported throughout the study period
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