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Nopales are oval, thick, flat stems of a variety of cactus plant. These are a popular vegetable especially in Mexican cuisine across the centuries. Gradually, it is gaining space on the dining table all over the world. One of the most crucial reasons for its steadily expanding popularity is the array of health benefits it offers. Moreover, the vegetable can be whipped into delicious dishes without much effort or time. In addition to all the factors already mentioned, nopal weight loss is indeed a great way to curb obesity.
Little backtrack
However, before getting into the health benefits that the cactus provides, it will be interesting to know about its origin.
The plant grows in abundance in Mexico and its adjoining desert areas. The plant used to be the staple diet across the Mayan, the Aztec, and the Inca societies for the last several thousands of years. The ancient societies were aware about the health benefits this plant offers. The variety of cactus is popularly known as “prickly pear”. The early Spanish settlers discovered that Nopal cactus can cure scurvy. Thus, the vegetable gained its entry into the so called civilized world.
Commercial importance
Commercial prospect of this plant is immensely high. As of today, well over 200 Cactaceae cultivators are involved in growing this vegetable across the dry, semi-arid lands of northern Mexico.
Health & wealth
Extensive research reveals the unbelievable health benefits the variety of cactus provides. These can be summed up as following:
- Nopal is an excellent agent to lower the cholesterol level in blood.
- It has almost unparalleled antioxidant properties.
- Small dosage of nopal cactus if taken regularly, helps to improve the function of the pancreas.
- The vegetable helps to regulate the insulin level in blood and thus, it makes an ideal diet for folks who are diabetic.
- It has a high concentration of fiber.
- The vegetable absorbs high volumes of water to help our body assimilate it.
- The food item is most ideal to burn out excess fat in our body. As such, it helps to curb carbohydrate cravings and thus, suppresses hunger pangs. The vegetable is one of the best options to lose excess weight.
- High concentration of vitamin C in it makes it an ideal medicine to cure scurvy.
In dishes & as recipes
The green pads of nopal cactus can be consumed in a number of ways. It can either be added to salads and eaten raw or be cooked into dishes. Usually, it is added to tacos, various dishes made from egg and different types of Mexican salads. It is indeed relevant mentioning here that most of the dishes, if not all, made of Nopal cactus have easy and simple recipes.
The spines are cut off the pads and the pads are then chopped or sliced according to requirement. Some people prefer to pan-fry it with scrambled eggs or add it to omelettes. The cactus is also added to pico de gallo - a fiery Mexican raw vegetable medley made with tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, onions and cilantro. This dish can be served grilled or sauteed with onions as a garnish for fajitas.
Nopal cactus bears a fruit, which tastes like a cross between watermelon and bubblegum. To prepare this neon-red prickly pear, the skin is removed and the spines are cut off. Finally, the flesh and the seeds remain. Both these can either be eaten raw, made into juice, added to beverages or can be used as recipes to prepare various dishes.
Easier access
Thanks to all the amazing benefits the cactus offers, the craze of nopal weight loss is growing at an exponential pace. Considering the overwhelming popularity of this superfood, there are many reputed online grocery outlets that categorically deal in this item. These virtual stores readily send superior quality of nopal cactus powder to customers in exchange of a reasonable sum of money.
