Many times have the cactus plant been painted as something that is only helpful when you get stuck in a desert and finding one can offer you a brief moment relief by drinking the water that is stored in it. While there is truth to this, a cactus–especially the Nopal cactus, have been helping mankind in more ways than we have never thought.

These days, Nopal cactus’ more famous form is when its edible pads are dried and ground into powder. It is considered by many health advocates as one of the healthiest food supplements in the market these days. But before basking in the glory of being a world-known superfood, Nopales as locals of Mexico call it, has been a common food ingredient for local cuisine in this part of Central America.

For Americans, Nopales  is called prickly pear or paddle cactus. In botany, this vegetable variety is known as Opuntia ficus indica.

The origins of the Nopal cactus date back from the 14^th century in the volcanic regions of Mesoamerica that is now called Mexico. Since Mexico is known as The Land of Enchantment, the roots of this plant grow deep through legends. As the story goes, the sun god, Huitzilopachtli appeared before an Aztec chieftain and instructed him how he can find their new homeland. He was supposed to look for an island in the middle of a lake–and on that island, there he must find and eagle perched on a cactus that is growing from a rock, on its beak is a snake being eaten. The chieftain eventually found this place and built a great city to honor the sun god. But little did he know that the cactus the eagle was resting on was actually the torn heart of the sun god’s nephew, Copil. Copil is the son of Malinalxochitl, the moon, and Chimalcuahtli. Copil was fighting for his mother but was easily defeated by his uncle and ultimately received a punishment. It is believed, up to this very day, by the locals, that it was the Nopal cactus that grew from the heart of Copil.

Noting that story aside, the Nopal cactus is truly a gift from both heaven and earth. It has a nutritional value of 20% manganese, 13% vitamin c, 11% magnesium and 14% calcium. These minerals help in metabolizing fat and carbohydrates, regulate blood sugar levels, they produce energy for our body functions, and strengthen our bones and teeth. For the last 20 years, Nopal Cactus has been spearheading cardiovascular care because of its significant counts of fiber. According to health experts, incorporating Nopal to your diet is the healthiest move you can ever make.

If you we compare Life then and now, I would say there is a very significant difference. Life before can be described in one word: Natural while living life today means living in a Non-natural environment. Breakthroughs in science, especially food studies have introduced us to an easier and faster way to do things that in the past normally required an investment of time, but we must accept this modern notion of living in today’s world to put up with all the demands of this modern life.

However, in our attempt to make our lives adapt to the changing times, we unknowingly sacrifice our health. Everything happens so fast and it makes our life easier BUT with a big toll to pay.
Sadly, along with the amazing breakthroughs in those different sectors, more diseases are showing up, obesity is more common than in the past not just for adults but also for kids, and the quality of life is also affected in a significant way.

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A valuable cactus crop with multiple benefits, Opuntia Ficus Indica is vital to the agricultural economies of arid and semiarid areas. The sweet fruits known as tunas, taste like watermelon are the reasons that this plant is avidly grown in many parts of the world including Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Northern Africa, Algeria, and Sicily.

The plant dates back to pre-Columbian times and has been valued for its medicinal properties. Also known as the spineless cactus, Barbary fig, and prickly pear, the fruit of the plant is rich in vitamin C. It also has a generous amount of antioxidant flavonoids that promote good health. Besides, the fruit is rich in carbohydrates, proteins and fibers as well and is a popular ingredient in jams and jellies.

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As a famous tradition to be followed in every tea ceremony of the Japanese culture, Matcha Tea has gained momentum as a beneficial natural product in the health industry. Essentially, Matcha Tea is green tea leaves that have been crushed to a powder form. In contrast to green tea that filters out the leaves that carry the actual benefits, Matcha Tea allows us to consume the entire leaf along with the tea.
Below are some amazing health benefits that Matcha Tea offers:

A Powerhouse of Antioxidants

With every sip of Matcha Tea, you enjoy a greater amount of antioxidants than regular green tea. In comparison to other superfoods, Matcha Tea is packed with antioxidants and provides the necessary nutrients to the body to help fight off the harmful effects of UV radiation and also helps prevent several life-threatening diseases.
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Children have always been told that consuming too much chocolate is unhealthy and can destroy their teeth. This is because the chocolate usually available in the market is highly processed and rich in sugars.

Cacao is the darkest and purest form of chocolate that one can consume. As opposed to cocoa, cacao undergoes minimum processes and still maintains the necessary enzymes and nutrients. Cacao is the best source of antioxidants and contains magnesium and iron in a generous amount as well. Additionally, it also contains potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and calcium.

During the Aztec civilization, cacao beverages were considered a drink for the elite. Even today, it is considered a high trade commodity and is used for health purposes across many cultures.

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