[EFFECT OF A BEVERAGE MADE FROM CACTUS PEAR (NOPALEA COCHENILLIFERA (L) SALM-DYCK) IN A RURAL POPULATION OF HIDALGO, MEXICO; A PILOT CLINICAL TRIAL].

Introduction: cactus pear has been used in Mexican traditional medicine. However, clinical studies are limited to demonstrate the effectiveness as anti-diabetic.

Objective: to evaluate the effect of a fresh beverage made from Nopalea cochenillifera (l.) Salm-dyck on glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure.

Methods: the beverage (50 g/250 mL) was daily administered in twenty patients for 30 days.

Results And Discussion: differences statistically significant were found in some time of the supplementation for all measured variables excepting for glucose levels, this suggests that values might be significant to a longer administration or bigger doses.

Conclusions: although preliminary data, the results demonstrated that cactus pear used in this study may be an alternative for the management of patients with diabetes type 2. Nevertheless, further trials must be conducted with a bigger sample size and more control groups so that the effectiveness can be fully evaluated.