Nopalea - Wellness From Sonoran Bloom and the Nopal Cactus Fruit!
Most of us know Nopalea or the Nopal Cactus by its coarse name, prickly pear. It is a very popular cactus plant. It has been exported to many parts of the world and you'll find it in most cactus gardens. Its scientific name is Opuntia Streptacantha and is a species of cactus native to the Sonoran Desert region of the U.S. And Mexico. The inhabitants of Mexico and the Southwest United States have used both the Nopal bloom and the pad for food and healing. Yet, this extremely nutritious food has never been plan of as food by most of us. Yet, it remains a fact that it is extremely nutritious and contains unique phytonutrients. I find the extra antioxidant known as betalains to be especially interesting.
Nopalea - Wellness From Sonoran Bloom and the Nopal Cactus Fruit!
Nopalea - Wellness From Sonoran Bloom and the Nopal Cactus Fruit!
Nopalea - Wellness From Sonoran Bloom and the Nopal Cactus Fruit!
Nopalea - Wellness From Sonoran Bloom and the Nopal Cactus Fruit!
Betalains appear to be especially useful in promoting health all the way down to the cellular level. Betalains have the potential to help fight off toxic invaders that can generate illnesses, especially those connected with inflammation which can put us at risk for continuing disease.
The Nopal cactus has been called a "superfruit," because it contains this rare class of betalain antioxidants that are extremely potent, and the Nopal cactus fruit contains one of the highest concentrations of betalains found in all of nature.
More than 100 studies show the power of betalain antioxidants, and how useful they are in protecting against an unseen war of environmental toxins. Betalains are the pigments that give the Nopal cactus fruit its vibrant pink color. But that's just the beginning. They're also natural antioxidants -- and they're only found in a few of the world's plants.
The Nopal fruit isn't just included in this small group of extra plants, it in fact leads the group by containing one of the highest amounts of betalains in all of nature.
When betalains are ingested into our system, they begin to restore vitality on a cellular level. By helping the body cut the toxins surrounding our cells and enabling valuable nutrients to reach each cell, the betalains found in the Nopal fig can cut the inflammation in the body that leads to disease.
Scientific research shows that betalains help to:
* Reduces the risk of blood clots-betalains safe the thin lining of your blood vessels; this helps cut the inflammation that makes your blood sticky and leads to clots.
* Reduces bad cholesterol-betalains strongly cut oxidized Ldl cholesterol.
* Protects cells from toxins-betalains safe many types of cells, especially brain cells, from toxins known to trigger tumors.
* Protects your liver-betalains supply valuable protection from toxins that directly influence your liver.
A new nopal wellness drink that is made from the nopal cactus fruit provides an easy way to fetch the benefits of the betalain antioxidants. Many of the benefits are not immediately observable, but I have been using the product for about a month and consideration my joints are pain free. I'd sort of forgotten how this feels, but it's a great feeling.
References:
"Antioxidant betalains from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) inhibit endothelial Icam-1 expression." C Gentile, L Tesoriere, M Allegra, M A Livrea, P D'Alessio Dipartimento Farmacochimico, Tossicologico e Biologico, Università di Palermo, Italy.
Allegra M, Tesoriere L, Livrea Ma. Free Radic Res. 2007 Mar;41(3):335-41.
Lee Mh, Kim Jy, Yoon Jh, Lim Hj, Kim Th, Jin C, Kwak Wj, Han Ck, Ryu Jh. Phytother Res. 2006 Sep;20(9):742-7.
Galati Em, Mondello Mr, Lauriano Er, Taviano Mf, Galluzzo M, Miceli N. Phytother Res. 2005 Sep;19(9):796-800. 3 - Lee Mh, Kim Jy, Yoon Jh, Lim Hj, Kim Th, Jin C, Kwak Wj, Han Ck, Ryu Jh. Phytother Res. 2006 Sep;20(9):742-7.
Nopalea - Wellness From Sonoran Bloom and the Nopal Cactus Fruit!