Letha Hadady, author of FEED YOUR TIGER:
”If you have diabetes or are at risk, there are several supplements that are easy to use and find in north American healthfood stores. ..Here is nopale cactus, which grows wild in the desert southwest, Mexico and throughout Latin America in dry climates. It also lowers blood sugar gradually and it tastes mild enough for the entire family. “
“Modern science has discovered the many health benefits of prickly pear cactus. Studies show that in addition to being able to heal minor cuts and wounds, prickly pear cactus can protect the immune system and prevent oxidative stress by acting as a scavenger of free radicals.
1 Its antioxidant action will protect cells and organs, and will, hypothetically, slow the aging process and prevent injury, illness and disease.
Additionally, prickly pear cactus can lower LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, and this will help lower blood pressure and the workload placed upon the heart.
The anti-inflammatory effects of prickly pear cactus are also well known.
2 Ancient Mexican indian tribes used prickly pear cactus to sooth inflamed insect bites, and Western science has discovered that prickly pear cactus is useful in the treatment of arthritis and inflammation of the eyes, muscles and joints.
Not surprisingly, athletes have turned to prickly pear cactus to get more energy in the gym, to reduce post-exercise muscle soreness, to speed recoveryand to reduce the changes of getting DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Prickly pear extract has proven remarkably useful as an ergogenic recovery aide.”
The world is starting to waken to the great taste and superior health characteristics that cactus promises. Here’s a report explaining how some new cactus products are coming to market and how they’re being used in beverages and other products…..
Some of our cactus has ended up in various products from cosmetics, to medicinals, to beverages and dyes and pet foods… not to mention the dinner plate.
From the report…
“A spokeswoman for the company told FoodNavigator-USA.com: “We are promoting flavors of the United States because we feel it necessary to touch upon the exotic flavors this country is known for. Many bakery, confectionery and savory recipes originated in America. It is home to many native fruits as well.
“GSB felt there was a market for prickly pear flavors because there is a demand for more exotic and unusual fruits in the food and beverage industry at this time.
“These interesting fruits are gaining more attention in the health food industry as well because of their added health benefits.”
The extract of the pads and fruit of the opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) cactus, consumed regularly in Mexico, has been linked to reducing blood glucose levels by as much as 50 percent.”
“Conclusions: Consumption of cactus pear fruit positively affects the body’s redox balance, decreases oxidative damage to lipids, and improves antioxidant status in healthy humans.”
Note that the study tests the fruits…. which we generally only sell to processors.
Again… another article mentions the good health effects of eating cactus leaves in fighting diabetes…
Here’s some of what they say…
“The researchers recruited 36 volunteers (average BMI was 25 kg per sq. m) with type-2 diabetes aged between 47 and 72 and, after an 18-hour fast, assigned them to eat a meal of scrambled egg and tomato burritos, chilaquiles (cheese, beans and tomato sauce with corn tortillas), or quesadillas with avocados and pinto beans, with or without 85 grams of prickly pear cactus pads.
Bacardi-Gascon and co-workers from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California report that blood sugar levels were reduced in all meal types when nopales were consumed simultaneously, compared to those not supplemented with the cactus pear.
Reductions also varied depending on the meal, with nopales plus quesadillas being associated with a 48 reduction, nopales plus chilaquiles associated with a 30 per cent reduction, and nopales plus burritos associated with a 20 per cent reduction. ”
“According to a letter from the FDA General Mills’ advertising violates the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The agency said claims that Cheerios ingredients can lower cholesterol within a certain amount of time, all while providing cancer-fighting and heart-healthy benefits, essentially makes Cheerios “a drug” by their definition. And no drug in this country can be legally marketed without an approved new drug application.”
That is why I don’t often mention the healthy aspects of eating cactus.. nor the e-mails we’ve gotten letting us know that some of our customers feel that cactus has done them good.
So I’ll let others mention the fact that cactus can lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugars.
Another article can take postings from the famous book ‘Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine’by Ran Knishinsky…. on cactus cures….
Speaking of Ran Knishinsky, he is the world’s leading authority on eating cactus for health benefits… he has a book called ‘Prickly Pear Cactus Medicine’ that is presently the seminal work in the field. In his book, cactus seems like the plant that can cure the world….
Jim and Denise write about the effects of cactus…. and list the same effects as above… in addition they include the following…
“Prickly Pear Cactus has also been shown to reduce the severity of hangovers if taken in advance before drinking. Nausea, dry mouth, appetite loss, and alcohol-related inflammation were all reduced in test subjects who ingested Prickly Pear Cactus prior to drinking. You can actually mixed Prickly Pear Cactus Puree’ with alcohol. Prickly Pear Cactus Margarita seems to be a favorite.
The only true test that matters is “YOUR OWN” test and see if it works for YOU…”
As professor of nutrition Winston F. Craig, Ph.D., writes to the HighBeam Encyclopedia, the prickly pear can help with diabetes, lower blood sugar…
In the same article.. Mike Adams writes….
“• For many diabeticsor prediabetics, nopal is a complete replacement for prescription blood sugar drugs. It regulates blood sugar with no negative side effectsand no liver damage (which is one of the primary side effects of blood sugar prescriptions). Safety note: Do not halt prescription drug use except under the direct supervision of a naturopathic physician.
• Nopal is a key ingredient is many highly effective (and safe) blood sugar regulating nutritional supplements (see resources, below).
• Conventional medicine, including drug companies and the FDA, do not want the public to learn about nopal because it would cost Big Pharma hundreds of millions of dollars in annual profits from diabetes drug sales. The public is intentionally kept ignorant about natural treatments for diabetes as a way to maximize corporate profits.
• Most doctors have never heard of nopal, nor its blood sugar balancing effects, because the use of medicinal herbs is simply not taught in medical school. Virtually all M.D.s are nutritionally illiterate when it comes to herbs and food supplements.
• Native Americans, who are suffering under an epidemic of diabetes, desperately need to be re-taught the medicinal uses of desert plants. If nopal were widely harvested and used to help regulate blood sugar in Native Americans, the diabetes rate would fall sharply. But conventional medicine, dominated primarily by rich white men, chooses to deliberately deny honest information about nutritional supplements to Native Americans. In doing so, Native Americans have been isolated from their land and their medicinal wisdom. “
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels.
Considerable research shows that Nopal is effective in stabilizing and regulating blood sugar levels. With regulated blood sugar levels, you’ll have more energy, less fatigue and in general, an elevated mood. Nopal works by slowing digestion of carbohydrates that inhibits insulin production. It may help strengthen the liver and pancreas which makes it easier for your body to convert sugar into stored glycogen that supplies the body with energy.Reduces Cholesterol.
Nopal delivers amino acids, fiber and B3 that may work to reduce cholesterol, tri-glyceride and LDL levels. Studies suggest that Nopal breaks down fat and fatty acids and purges excess bile acid that is converted into cholesterol. Niacin (B3), an important element of Nopal, helps transform LDL (bad) cholesterol to HDL (good).Supplies All Essential Amino Acids.
Nopal is one of the few plants containing all essential amino acids in an absorbable-branched chain. The essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Amino acids are used by every one of the 30 trillion cells in an adult human body.
The 17 amino acids in Nopal play a vital role in almost all body functions. They help maintain and repair muscles, organs, nails, hair, skin, ligaments and glands.
Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals.
Nopal Powder contains important minerals and vitamins that may help detoxify your entire body including the liver and pancreas. Nopal delivers essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and iron) and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C.
Improves Immunity.
Nopal provides many phytochemicals, which may help keep you healthy by fighting off disease-causing pathogens.
So, in the end… our regulated society, and the ‘Powers-that-Be’ prohibit me from making any statements as to the efficacy of cactus for health and wellness. I am not a doctor, I have no medical training (other than ’First-Aid’ training in the Army), and I only eat cactus because I just plain like it (I’m an eater). But if you wish to find out about the health benefits of cactus… I think you will find many resources out there….
they referenced some of the varieties that have to be cooked… our best ones are great raw.
One quote from the article….
“Very nutritious, nopales are rich in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. They also contain vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. Minerals are also plentiful, as nopales contain potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese. They also contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Nopales have no saturated fat or cholesterol, and very little sodium.
Nopales can reduce the glycemic index of a meal, and have been used to decrease the level of glucose in diabetics’ blood. Pills and powders made from the plant have also become popular, as its health benefits are becoming more widely known. The American Heart Society, for example, is researching the use of nopales to help manage cholesterol levels. ”
Thank you so-o-o much for the info. As a matter of fact, I had never heard of nopal cactus for human consumption … as I was dicing the pads for my torts, I tasted it and enjoyed it!
Gayle
We do grow it for people, we recommend all tort owners who buy it for their pets try it themselves also! It is tasty and super nutritious. Our cactus nutrients page gives good government data.