To lose weight, a healthy diet and the regular practice of sports activities are essential, in addition, there are supplements that help speed up this process to eliminate those extra kilos: one of them is the oatmeal and nopal smoothie.
The nopal, which is also known as mucilage, It serves to deflate the abdomen due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains insoluble fiber which is excellent for cleansing the digestive tract.
According to the portal Gastrolab, nopal “prevents gastritis and helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood”, two factors that are very important when you want to lose weight naturally and with a healthy remedy.
On the website of the medical institution Mayo Clinic indicate that different studies link the consumption of nopal with the reduction of blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Similarly, other research suggests that the extract of this plant might also help reduce the effects of hangovers or ” guava”, as it is known in Colombia.
Nutritionists assure that the nopal is a plant rich in fiber, with nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, copper and calcium.
Oatmeal is a cereal well known for its action to purify, in addition, soluble and insoluble fiber has a protective effect on the intestinal microbiota. It is also an ideal food to “improve digestion, reduces blood sugar and LDL levels, promotes weight loss and has anti-inflammatory properties,” they explain in Gastrolab.
Oatmeal is rich in essential amino acids that favor the production of lecithin in the liver, this serves to purify heavy compounds from the body.
“It facilitates intestinal transit and prevents constipation. Insoluble fiber reduces bile acids and decreases their toxic capacity”, as indicated by the portal Health 180.
On the other hand, oats contain protein that helps the body to produce and grow new tissue.
Omega 6 unsaturated fats are also found in oatmeal, therefore, this helps lower bad cholesterol.
On the website Gastrolab recommend this preparation for the oatmeal and nopal smoothie:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cubed pineapple
- 2 small nopales
- 2 tablespoons oat flakes
- 6 sprigs of parsley
- 1 green apple
- 2 lemons
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 cup of ice
Preparation
- A recommendation to prepare this smoothie is to chop the pineapple the night before and leave the pieces in the fridge to give this drink a fresher texture. It is also advisable to leave the oatmeal flakes soaking overnight in twice the amount of water. The next morning the cereal should be removed from the water.
- Cut the nopales and the green apple into pieces to put them through the blender together with the pineapple, the water, the oats soaked, the juice of the lemons, the parsley leaves previously washed and disinfected and the crushed ice. The idea is to blend until you have a homogeneous mixture.
To reap the benefits of this smoothie it should be taken in the morning and on an empty stomach, it can also be consumed following exercising and 20 minutes before eating something solid.
It is also important to consult with the doctor before taking it, mainly for people who suffer from some chronic or metabolic disease.
In health 180 They also recommend other preparations to take advantage of the benefits of nopal to lose weight:
- A nopal without thorns, two slices of pineapple, juice of a grapefruit and two sprigs of parsley.
- A nopal without thorns, juice of a lemon, two stalks of celery and juice of an orange.
- A spineless nopal, three spinach leaves, a green apple and lemon juice.
