The Prickly Pears are ready!!
Ever heard of Nopalea?
Below is the text directly from their website @ http://www.nopalea.net/
Nopalea (No-pah lay’uh) is the delicious anti-inflammatory wellness drink that gets its inflammation fighting power from the Nopal cactus fruit (Opuntia Ficus Indica) of the Sonoran Desert. Nopal cactus fruit contains a powerful class of antioxidants called bioflavonoids that are scientifically proven to help the body reduce inflammation. Indigenous peoples have relied on the healing properties of the Nopal cactus for centuries and now you can too. Each 32–ounce bottle of Nopalea brims with the health benefits of the Nopal fruit.
Ever heard of Nopalea?
Below is the text directly from their website @ http://www.nopalea.net/
Nopalea (No-pah lay’uh) is the delicious anti-inflammatory wellness drink that gets its inflammation fighting power from the Nopal cactus fruit (Opuntia Ficus Indica) of the Sonoran Desert. Nopal cactus fruit contains a powerful class of antioxidants called bioflavonoids that are scientifically proven to help the body reduce inflammation. Indigenous peoples have relied on the healing properties of the Nopal cactus for centuries and now you can too. Each 32–ounce bottle of Nopalea brims with the health benefits of the Nopal fruit.
With its powerful nutrients, Nopalea helps your body:
- Reduce inflammation
- Detoxify
- Achieve optimal cellular health
Exposure to toxins, trauma, nutrient deficiencies and stress can all lead to runaway inflammation. When
cells are overwhelmed by inflammation, they may become damaged beyond repair, and die prematurely.
These damaged, dead cells may become the focus of infection and illness if they are not removed from
the body. The bioflavonoids in Nopalea may help protect against toxicity and reduce inflammation that may lead to
serious conditions.
Does Nopal have any Nutritional Value?
According to http://www.nopalexport.com - For over 12,000 years fresh Nopal cactus has been consumed for its legendary qualities. It is only in the last 20 years that modern science has truly been interested in the investigation of Nopal's nutritional properties.
Nopal Verde is the prickly pear cactus 'vegetable' variety of the Nopal Opuntia ficusindica species. Known as green Nopal and the traditionally consumed ancient variety, Nopal cactus is the modern name used for consumption as a food and a supplement. This original and authentic variety of the Nopal prickly pear; requires the climate and soil type that is unique to its birthplace - the high volcanic mountains of Mexico – where the ground is rich in nutrients. The ancient Mexican cultures, living in the high mountain volcanic regions, originally adopted the Nopal prickly pear cactus as a holistic food and treasured this high mountain variety and they believed that Nopal cactus was a supreme plant and food among its kings and warriors. (Excellent public relations for a nopal farm.)
www.chosen-foods.com |
Back to what http://www.desertusa.com/ has to say;
The prickly pear plant has three different edible sections: the pad of the cactus (nopal), which can be treated like a vegetable, the petals of the flowers, which can be added to salads, and the pear (tuna), which can be treated like a fruit. They grow wild throughout the American southwest, down to South America and up to Canada. The ones you may find at a local store or farmers market will surely originate from a commercial nopal farm.
Prickly pear cactus represent about a dozen species of the Opuntia genus (Family Cactaceae) in the North American deserts. All have flat, fleshy pads
that look like large leaves. The pads are actually modified branches or
stems that serve several functions -- water storage, photosynthesis and
flower production.
Prickly pears have large spines -- actually modified leaves -- growing from tubercles
-- small, wart-like projections -- on their stems. But members of the
Opuntia genus are unique because of their clusters of fine, tiny, barbed
spines called glochids. Found just above the cluster of regular
spines, glochids are yellow or red in color and detach easily from the
pads. Glochids are often difficult to see and more difficult to remove,
once lodged in the skin.
Because of the glochids, great care is required when harvesting or preparing prickly pear cactus. Both fruits and pads of the prickly pear cactus are rich in slowly absorbed soluble fibers that may help keep blood sugar stable. Prickly Pear Nectar is made with the juice and pulp of the fruit.
This little fruit is really quite delicious. A bit like a kiwi, with a berry taste. But, oh my, the seeds in these little fruits are very abundant and like tiny little rocks. Some say to just eat the seeds, however, I prefer to smash the fruit through a screen for de-seeding. Of course, I do this after the prickly pear has been de-spined. My first experience with the prickly pear left me picking the tiny, hair-like, barbed spines (invisible to the naked eye) out of my hands for days. These tiny spines left me feeling like I had been playing with insulation. My method for removing the glochids is to burn them off on the grill.
As is obvious from the pricey "Nopalea", there is growing medical interest in the Prickly Pear plant.
Some studies have shown that the pectin contained in the Prickly Pear
pulp lowers levels of "bad" cholesterol while leaving "good" cholesterol
levels unchanged. Another study found that the fibrous pectin in the
fruit may lower diabetics' need for insulin. Both fruits and pads of
the prickly pear cactus are rich in slowly absorbed soluble fibers that
help keep blood sugar stable. There are on-going studies and at this
point no extended research and no proven results on humans. I am doing my own research to see if I notice any positive effects, which is the only test that really counts. I let you know what I think and would appreciate any input from your experience.
Health benefits of nopales"Nopales has many health benefits such as reduce the inflammation throughout your body, build strong bones, optimize metabolic activity, cure insomnia,..."
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