Nopalea Juice – the all-natural drink that has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties – stems from a very special plant. The prickly pear cactus, also known as the Nopal cactus, is a wild plant that grows rampant and is native to North and Central America.

It is thought that this cactus and its use as a healing agent dates back to the time of the Aztecs. It is believed that these native people used parts of the cactus as both food and medicine. The Indians called the plant Nopal Nochtli and Nopalli.

It is thought that the Aztecs used the plant to help nursing mothers increase their milk supply, to boost lung capacity and to fight bacteria in the digestive system.

One of the first known ways to turn the cactus into a juice resulted in a slimy green drink that is actually still popular to some Mexicans to this day. But the juice was perfected and sweetened with agave nectar and now you can find delicious Nopalea Juice in the lovely colors of the sunset. It is chock full of vitamins and minerals naturally, but it is further enhanced with all natural extracts and concentrates from a variety of fruits.

Scientists say the prickly pear cactus might play a large role in preventing diseases and ailments caused by chronic inflammation. Only recently have researchers discovered the underlying link between inflammation and conditions such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis and even colon cancer.

The cactus is touted as a natural anti-inflammatory and has grown in popularity because of this amazing property. A Time Magazine article that ran around a decade ago pointed out the possible link between chronic inflammation and a host of other serious illnesses and diseases including cancer. The thought is that the inflammation that fights off bacteria and parasites invading our body sometimes runs rampant and doesn’t turn off when it needs to, leading to other problems.

It is believed that the Spanish who learned about the prickly pear cactus brought plants home to their native country. Prickly Pear Cactus are now grown and harvested in countries around the world, including Europe, Africa and Australia.

Scientists are not sure of all of the benefits of the cactus, but most agree that it appears to be a natural remedy to help control diabetes. In fact, the renowned Dr. Oz dedicated one segment of a show to show just this. In a demonstration before a live studio audience, he showed sugar sifting from one end of an hourglass to the other. Then he put some cactus in the hourglass and showed how it slowed the progress of the sugar. It is believed that inside the body, the cactus would do the same thing to regulate the flow of sugar into the bloodstream.

It is not known if the Aztecs were aware of this connection between the plant and blood sugar levels, but they might well have been aware of it.

Dr. Oz also touted the benefits of the prickly pear cactus in relieving a much less serious problem – the miserable symptoms of a hangover.

Author Bio: Frank Yocanis has been researching and writing about helping people with inflammation for the past decade. He has even traveled to the Sonoran desert half a dozen times to study how Nopalea contains amazing properties that help with detoxification of the body. He is excited to share how this antioxidant-rich drink can change your life.

Category: Advice
Keywords: joint pain, detoxification, inflammation, betalains, nopalea juice, nopalea