Nopal cactus fruit has been used for food and medicinal purposes for

thousands of years.Recent research on Nopal cactus fruit has shown

a variety of health benefits.

Helps protect the immune system
Helps protect the nervous system
Helps protect against oxidative stress
Anti-inflammatory properties
Antioxidant properties
Good source of dietary fiber

Dr. Oz: Cactus Pear-

"A Miracle Food"

Dr. Oz, famous TV doctor and personality lists various

healthy foods around the world which he says are

"bizarre cancer fighters." His guest, travel channel

host Andrew Zimmern, introduces the TV audience

to the cactus pear, which he calls "a miracle food!"

Click On Image To Watch Video

Dr. Mehmet Oz: Prickly Pear Cactus -

"One of 7 Natural Remedies!"

Dr. Oz speaks with health expert Bryce Wylde who

describes his trip around the world with 7 natural

remedies which he states help to prevent cancer,

diabetes, ease pain, reduce stress, and fight colds.

See what he says about Prickly Pear Cactus

as one of those 7 natural remedies.

Click on the picture to see the clip:

The Nopal cactus, or prickly pear, has been used since ancient times for food and medicinal purposes.

Cultivated around the world, Nopal cactus is generally believed to be indigenous to North America,

particularly Mexico. It is an important food source in Mexico and is such an integral part of their

culture that it appears on the Mexican flag.

Nopal cactus as food The Nopal cactus consists of fleshy oval pads, dark-colored fruit and in certain

seasons, colorful flowers. The pads are called “nopalitas” and once stripped of their spines can be

added to a variety of food dishes. They can be used fresh in salads, grilled, pickled, sautéed and

even be used as filling in tacos and enchiladas. Cactus pads provide beta carotene, iron, some B

vitamins, vitamin C and calcium.

The dark-colored Nopal cactus fruit, “tuna,” averages 2 to 4 inches in length and is shaped like an

avocado. It has thick and coarse skin but its sweet and juicy flesh can be eaten fresh or cooked.

Both the pads and Nopal cactus fruit are good sources of dietary fiber.

Humans aren’t the only ones to enjoy the bounty of the Nopal cactus; desert animals such as

packrats, javelina and desert tortoises feast on the pads and fruit. Packrats and various birds

may sometimes nest among the pads.

Nopal cactus fruit as health aid Traditionally, Nopal cactus fruit was used by indigenous

peoples as medicine for a variety of health conditions. More recently, scientific research

has show that when eaten, the Nopal cactus fruit can help protect the immune and

nervous systems and protect against oxidative stress.

Research unveiled that Nopal cactus fruit has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,

thanks to rare and potent nutrients called betalains. Betalains are bioflavonoids in the quercetin

family. Quercetin has been shown to protect against inflammation related to free radicals

(unstable molecules in the body). Nopal cactus fruit is a rich source of quercetin. There are

24 known betalains in nature; some are found in beets and Rainbow Swiss chard, but

Nopal cactus fruit contains the most concentrated amount of betalains found in nature.

Finding the best Nopal cactus fruit One variety of Nopal cactus found in the Sonora Desert of

North America, Opuntia ficus indica, has been used for food and medicine by the Pima Indians

for thousands of years. They drink the juice of the Nopal cactus fruit to promote health and

wellness and use the pads for food.

Nopalea, a delicious, anti-inflammatory wellness drink, is sourced from this variety of Nopal

cactus fruit. This is because in plants, betalain content is determined in part by where a plant

grows: the more extreme the climate, the more betalains the plant needs to survive. Because

of the temperature extremes in the Sonora Desert, this variety of Nopal cactus fruit contains

all 24 known betalains.

Try Nopalea for yourself Now, the power of the Nopal cactus fruit is available in Nopalea. Daily

use of Nopalea can help the body relieve pain, reduce inflammation, detoxify and promote optimal

cellular health. People who have consistently taken Nopalea have reported a variety of health

benefits: everything from reduced aches and pains to improvements in breathing and skin conditions.

Nopal cactus fruit has been used for food and medicinal purposes for thousands of years.Recent research on Nopal cactus fruit has shown a variety of health benefits.

Nopal cactus fruit has been used for food and medicinal purposes for

thousands of years.Recent research on Nopal cactus fruit has shown

a variety of health benefits.