Home Ingredients NeOpuntia® (Cactus Fiber — Nexira)
Cardiovascular

NeOpuntia® (Cactus Fiber — Nexira)

Opuntia ficus-indica
Evidence Level
Preliminary
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

NeOpuntia® is a dehydrated cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) leaf product developed by Bio Serae, which is now part of Nexira, with a fiber that binds dietary fat in the gut. It is sold as a fat binder. The only published trial of NeOpuntia itself, in 68 women with metabolic syndrome, ran 6 weeks and measured blood lipids. The European Food Safety Authority later reviewed that trial and concluded that no significant effect of NeOpuntia on blood lipid parameters had been demonstrated, and refused the blood lipid health claim. No trial of NeOpuntia has reported a body weight result.

Studied Dose 1.6 g three times a day with meals, 4.8 g/day, in the single 6 week trial. No other dose of NeOpuntia has been tested in people.
Active Compound Dehydrated Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear cactus) leaf, providing a soluble-and-insoluble fiber complex that binds dietary fat.

Benefits

Healthy blood lipids

One 6 week randomized, placebo-controlled trial by the manufacturer gave 1.6 g three times a day to 68 women aged 20 to 55 with metabolic syndrome. The paper reports a significant rise in HDL cholesterol in the 42 women over 45, with only tendencies in the whole group. The European Food Safety Authority reviewed it and found no effect on LDL, an HDL rise that was not statistically significant, and no cause and effect relationship.

Supported by Trial 1

Fat binding in the gut

Cactus fiber can bind dietary fat. Litramine IQP G-002AS, a different product made from Opuntia cladode fiber enriched with Acacia fiber, raised stool fat to 15.8 percent of intake against 4.6 percent on placebo in 20 adults, and added 2.4 kg of weight loss over placebo in 125 dieting adults. For NeOpuntia, Nexira cites a lab digestion model and an unpublished 7 day pilot trial, and no trial has reported a body weight result.

Supported by Trial 1

Gel-forming fiber (fullness not measured)

Gel-forming fibers add bulk to a meal, but no trial of NeOpuntia has measured appetite, fullness or food intake. This is a mechanism idea, not a result.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Lipophilic fat binding

Cactus fiber can bind dietary fat so that less is absorbed and more leaves in the stool. Stool fat was measured directly in 20 healthy adults given Litramine IQP G-002AS, a cactus fiber enriched with Acacia fiber, where it rose to 15.8 percent of intake against 4.6 percent on placebo. For NeOpuntia, Nexira cites a laboratory digestion model, which EFSA considered of questionable relevance to human digestion, and an unpublished 7 day pilot trial reporting 27% more fat excretion.

2

Soluble fiber effects

The soluble fiber component slows digestion. Effects on satiety and on post-meal glucose or insulin have not been measured for this product.

Clinical trials

1
Single 6 Week Manufacturer-Run Trial in 68 Women: No Significant Lipid Effect on EFSA Review
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6 week trial in a single centre: 68 women randomized (35 NeOpuntia, 33 placebo), 59 completing, 1.6 g three times a day. The authors were staff of Bio Serae, which then sold the ingredient and is now part of Nexira, and the company submitted this trial to EFSA in support of a health claim. (Linarès et al. 2007, Advances in Therapy; assessed in EFSA Journal 2008;6(8):788)

68 women aged 20 to 55 with metabolic syndrome and a BMI of 25 to 40; 59 completed. No men were studied.

The published paper reports a significant rise in HDL cholesterol in the 42 women over 45 years old and only tendencies in the group as a whole. Reviewing the full dataset in 2008, the European Food Safety Authority found no effect on LDL cholesterol, found the HDL rise slight and not statistically significant, noted that the randomisation method was not reported and that diet and physical activity were not controlled after randomisation, and concluded that a cause and effect relationship could not be established. Body weight was not reported and fat absorption was not measured in people.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Usually well tolerated as a dietary fiber, though gastric intolerance was among the adverse events reported across trials of Opuntia ficus-indica supplements.
Mild gas, bloating, or loose stools can occur from unabsorbed fat.
Take with plenty of water and separate from fat-soluble vitamins.

Important Drug interactions

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K): a fat-binding fiber may reduce their absorption, so take them at a different time.
Fat-soluble medications: separate by a few hours.
Tell your doctor if you take medication that needs dietary fat.

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Frequently asked questions about NeOpuntia® (Cactus Fiber — Nexira)

What is NeOpuntia?

NeOpuntia® is a dehydrated cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) leaf product developed by Bio Serae, which is now part of Nexira, with a fiber that binds dietary fat in the gut. It is sold as a fat binder. The only published trial of NeOpuntia itself, in 68 women with metabolic syndrome, ran 6 weeks and measured blood lipids.

What is NeOpuntia used for?

NeOpuntia is researched primarily for Cardiovascular. One 6 week randomized, placebo-controlled trial by the manufacturer gave 1.6 g three times a day to 68 women aged 20 to 55 with metabolic syndrome.

What is the recommended dosage of NeOpuntia?

The clinically studied dose is 1.6 g three times a day with meals, 4.8 g/day, in the single 6 week trial. No other dose of NeOpuntia has been tested in people. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is NeOpuntia safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for NeOpuntia include: Usually well tolerated as a dietary fiber, though gastric intolerance was among the adverse events reported across trials of Opuntia ficus-indica supplements. Mild gas, bloating, or loose stools can occur from unabsorbed fat. It may also interact with some medications. NeOpuntia is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does NeOpuntia interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K): a fat-binding fiber may reduce their absorption, so take them at a different time. Fat-soluble medications: separate by a few hours. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for NeOpuntia?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for NeOpuntia as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 5 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(5 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Linarès E, Thimonier C, Degre M. The effect of NeOpuntia on blood lipid parameters--risk factors for the metabolic syndrome (syndrome X). Adv Ther. 2007;24(5):1115-25. doi: 10.1007/BF02877717.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6 week trial in 68 women aged 20 to 55 with metabolic syndrome and a body mass index of 25 to 40, taking 1.6 g of NeOpuntia three times a day (4.8 g/day); 35 were allocated to NeOpuntia, 33 to placebo, and 59 completed. The published paper reports a significant rise in HDL cholesterol in the 42 women over 45 years old and only tendencies in the group as a whole. The study was conducted and authored by staff of Bio Serae, the company that then sold the ingredient and is now part of Nexira. It was the only human study the European Food Safety Authority judged pertinent to the claim, and EFSA reviewed it in 2008 and concluded that no significant effect on blood lipid parameters had been demonstrated and that a cause and effect relationship could not be established. Body weight was not reported.
  2. Onakpoya IJ, O'Sullivan J, Heneghan CJ. The effect of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Nutrition. 2015;31(5):640-6. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2014.11.015.PubMedUsed to support: Independent systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomized trials of Opuntia ficus-indica. Pooled body weight did not differ significantly from control (mean difference -0.83 kg, 95% CI -2.49 to 0.83), with very high heterogeneity between trials. Significant reductions were seen in body mass index, percentage body fat, blood pressure and total cholesterol, but the authors note the trials varied in design and reporting quality. Reported adverse events included gastric intolerance and flu symptoms. This pools the whole plant class, not the NeOpuntia product specifically.
  3. Uebelhack R, Busch R, Alt F, Beah ZM, Chong PW. Effects of cactus fiber on the excretion of dietary fat in healthy subjects: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical investigation. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2014;76:39-44. doi: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2014.02.001.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 20 healthy adults on a standardized 35 percent fat diet. Cactus fiber raised fat excreted in the stool to 15.8 percent of intake against 4.6 percent on placebo. This tested Litramine IQP G-002AS (InQpharm), made from dehydrated Opuntia ficus-indica cladode and fortified with soluble Acacia fiber, so it demonstrates that cactus fiber can bind dietary fat but is not a test of NeOpuntia.
  4. Grube B, Chong PW, Lau KZ, Orzechowski HD. A natural fiber complex reduces body weight in the overweight and obese: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013;21(1):58-64. doi: 10.1002/oby.20244.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12 week trial in 125 overweight and obese adults, all given exercise advice and a hypocaloric diet. Weight fell 3.8 kg on 3 g/day of fiber against 1.4 kg on placebo. The product tested was Litramine IQP G-002AS, a fiber complex from Opuntia ficus-indica enriched with Acacia fiber, from a different manufacturer, so this weight result belongs to that preparation and not to NeOpuntia, which has not been tested for body weight.
  5. Nexira. Neopuntia: healthy lipophilic fiber (product page). Nexira website. 2026;Accessed 2026-10-05..SourceUsed to support: Manufacturer page, not PubMed-indexed and not peer reviewed. Describes NeOpuntia as a pure cactus leaf powder of soluble and insoluble fibers sourced from Tunisia, and lists an in vitro digestion model (TNO) and an unpublished 2003 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of 1.6 g three times a day for 7 days that it says increased fat excretion by 27%. No data from the pilot have been published.