Nopal Cactus, a Miracle Food! ๐Ÿ˜‹๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒžโค๏ธ๐ŸŒบ - Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

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Nopal Cactus, a Miracle Food! ๐Ÿ˜‹๐ŸŒป๐ŸŒžโค๏ธ๐ŸŒบ

โ€ข10 Replies

Nopal cactus, also known as the prickly pear cactus, is found natively in the southwestern regions of the United States and in Mexico. They are easily grown and thrive in hot climate and survive on rainwater. The flat cactus pads can be eaten when the plant is young. It is a common ingredient in foods in some regions of Mexico. You can dice them and turn into juice, jam, tea, salad, or cook them with scrambled eggs for a healthy breakfast. You can also take supplements in capsule, powder, extract, and even liquid form.

There are many health benefits:

1. Itโ€™s an antiviral against herpes simplex virus (HSV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and HIV.

2. It contains neuroprotective properties that can protects nerve cells from damage or loss of function.

3. Itโ€™s high in antioxidants that protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals.

4. It can regulate blood sugar levels especially for people who have Diabetes by taking nopal cactus together with other diabetes medications to help regulate blood sugar.

5. It can treat enlarged prostate and may even be effective in helping treat prostate cancer. In addition, it may be able to do so with fewer side effects than traditional prescription medications.

6. It may reduce cholesterol while overall levels of cholesterol dropped, LDL cholesterol (or โ€œbadโ€ cholesterol) dropped significantly. Nopal cactus may be able to lower cholesterol with much fewer side effects than traditional cholesterol medications.

7. It can eliminate hangovers. Study found strong evidence that nopal cactus extract significantly reduces the severity of hangovers when taken before drinking.

*Credits to USDA and Debra Rose Wilson, Ana Gotter: healthline.com/health/nopal

โš ๏ธDisclaimer: Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional before changing in your diets/medication/life style.

10 Replies
โ€ข

Very Low in calories, 0 saturated fat, good source of Ca 24% (high), Mag 17%, and VitA,C,B6

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Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27Administrator

Hi Greatmindfulness, it looks like you might have lifted this from this article on healthline. If you wish to copy material for your own posts, please can you provide links to the original source:

healthline.com/health/nopal...

The healthline article contains links to the sources of research, which is important to have when making claims that a food can help with treating illnesses like HIV and Cancer, as readers need to be able to review the research to decide whether these treatments are suitable for their specific needs.

โ€ข in reply toCooper27

I added the link to the article. Thank you Cooper27.

Hi Happyman4, I think itโ€™s not popular in many part of the world but they do import them as prickly pear drinks. However thereโ€™s always loads of sugar in those drinks. The best way is to have them raw or cooked as a meal. I hope you can find and get to enjoy again. ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘

ZazenRiver345 profile image
ZazenRiver345

What a beautiful and nutritious cactus. As always a very informative post that I learn something new from everytime.๐Ÿ™๐Ÿค—โญ

โ€ข in reply toZazenRiver345

Thank you. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ™ Hope you can find it in your area. Have a good rest of your day! ๐Ÿค—โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒบ

ZazenRiver345 profile image
ZazenRiver345โ€ข in reply to

There is an eastern US prickly pear I think. I will investigate that๐Ÿค“. Have a great day ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿค—

โ€ข in reply toZazenRiver345

Perfect!๐Ÿ‘ Eastern US prickly pear is common in US I think as it grows fairly easily. I went hiking and I took picture of cactus flower, I think it is the same kind. Iโ€™ll make nature post for it. ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘

That is true. They get damaged easily and you canโ€™t wait for too long because they are harder to eat. I would love to travel to Mediterranean countries in near future because my parents went to Cypress not long time ago. They brought me back Olive oil Soap. Everything is made with Olive oil over there. That is very interesting and pretty looking tomatoes juice in carton boxes. I donโ€™t use much tomatoes juice in my cooking because it gives me acid reflux. I love Worcestershire sauce on my fish when I cook it in oven. You always have many interesting things to show ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘

Youโ€™re welcomed! ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ™ All I can say is you Sir eat like a King ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜

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