Compositions containing a nopal cactus isolate and method for making same

Abstract

Compositions and methods of making compositions containing nopal cactus isolates derived from the juice and / or soluble solid fractions of nopal pads. In another aspect, the invention relates comestible containing the nopal cactus isolates. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to compositions for making tea, tea compositions and methods of making such compositions, which contain nopal cactus isolates.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 847,217, filed on May 17, 2004, the contents of which is incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to dietary supplements and compositions containing nopal cactus isolates derived from the juice and / or soluble solid fractions of nopal pads and methods of preparing the supplements and compositions. The invention also specifically relates to compositions for making coffee, coffee compositions and methods for making such compositions, which contain the nopal cactus isolates. [0003] In developed countries around the world, there is a tremendous interest in personal fitness and wellness. At the same time there is a disturbing trend that people, including adults and children are becoming overweight. By overweight, it is meant that the subject has exceeded acceptable weight range and percent body fat generally considered as healthy determined by factors includi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The nopal cactus isolate can be freeze-dried. Preferably, the freeze-dried isolate is present in an amount to enhance weight reduction and / or reduce cholesterol as a result of consuming the coffee made from the composition.

[0046] In another aspect, the invention is directed to an item of manufacture that includes a container containing a comestible which includes a water soluble isolate derived from nopal pads of the opuntia genus, wherein the container is associated with printed labeling or contents information advising of attributes or benefits of the nopal isolate or the comestible. These attributes or benefits can include lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood glucose levels, stabilizing blood insulin levels, reducing weight, maintaining weight and combinations thereof. The attributes can also include caloric or compositional data, e.g., the number of calories of the isolate or the comestible product containing the isolate, or the amount of isolate present in the comestible.

Problems solved by technology

At the same time there is a disturbing trend that people, including adults and children are becoming overweight.

All these undesirable conditions contribute in development of an unsatisfactory quality of life and in some cases premature death.

However, many supplements have been shown to have potentially dangerous side effects, such as increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke from PPA containing supplements.

Again, such products typically include potent stimulants that can have potentially dangerous side effects, such as increased blood pressure and, in some cases, damage to a patient's pulmonary system.

Some prescription diet drugs can also be highly addictive resulting in the patient becoming physically and psychologically dependent on the medication.

While many of the technologies mentioned above can be useful in losing weight, the problem is keeping the weight off.

Short term diets can be unhealthy because it causes the body to adopt a starvation mode, lowers the metabolism and lowers the ability to burn fat.

This so-called “yo-yo” effect can damage a person's health by zapping energy and destroying their metabolism, leading to binge eating, craving and feelings of deprivation.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in the United States and in Western European countries.

Moreover, the fruit and pads of the prickly pear cactus are not available in all areas or during all seasons.

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