What is Nopalea? Are there Nopalea side effects? Where can I buy Nopalea? ...and other frequently asked questions
Ordering Questions
1. Do you have a money back guarantee?
2. How long should I allow for shipping?
3. Where can I buy Nopalea? May I pay by check or money order?
4. Can I get products automatically sent to me each month?
5. Can you answer my health and medical questions?
Product Related Questions
6. What is Nopalea? What makes it so effective?
7. What are betalains?
8. How are Betalain antioxidants different from other Superfruit antioxidants?
9. How else can I get Betalain antioxidants in my diet?
10. Are betalains similar to flavinoids found in blueberries and cranberries?
11. I've finished the bottle… why don't I feel any difference yet?
12. How do you manage to have enough fresh fruit to make the juice year round when the cactus is not always in bloom?
13. Is it cold processed or heat processed?
14. Is Nopalea pasteurized?
15. Is the Nopalea cold pressed in nitrogen environment? What does "aseptic filled" mean? Is it boiled?
16. Does Aseptic processing kills off some of the nutrients?
17. Does heat during shipping have any effect on Nopalea?
18. How much Nopalea should I take?
19. What are the Nopalea side effects? Is it safe for everyone?
20. How is Nopalea different from other Superfruit concentrates?
21. Is it safe to take Nopalea with medication?
22. Should I continue taking vitamins and minerals if I drink Nopalea regularly?
23. I've read that Betalains lower blood pressure, could this be an issue for someone that already has low blood pressure?
24. What is the amount of caffeine in the Green Tea Extract?
25. How do I determine whether I am having an allergic reaction vs. detoxification reaction to Nopalea?
26. What in the Nopalea helps with diabetes and high blood pressure?
27. Do the betalains also have a mechanism that work against excess fibrin?
28. What is the shelf life of Nopalea?
29. Is Nopalea gluten free?
30. Are there any common allergens in the "Natural Flavors" of Nopalea?
31. Are there any animal derivatives in Nopalea?
32. Where does the protein in Nopalea come from?
33. How much Sodium is used in Nopalea?
34. What is the PH level of Nopalea?
35. How much potassium is in the Nopalea?
36. How many carbs are in the Nopalea?
37. How much calcium is in the Nopalea?
38. How much cranberry and Vitamin K is in Nopalea?
39. What is the freezing temperature of Nopalea?
40. Do we know the glycemic load of Nopalea?
41. Where can I read about the studies done on the Nopal Cactus?
42. About Agave Nectar
1. Do you have a money back guarantee?
Yes, all purchases come with a 60 day money back guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with your purchase, return the unused portion within 60 days of the purchase date and you will receive a full refund less shipping or an equivalent exchange/account credit – your preference. Please allow 10 business days for your package to be received by our returns department. We will process your refund in the same form of payment used for the purchase within 48-72 hours of receiving your returned product. Incomplete returns may take longer to process.
Processing time for refunds in the form of a check is approximately 30 days. Back to top.
2. How long should I allow for shipping?
Nopalea orders within the U.S. are shipped directly to you from TriVita offices in Scottsdale, AZ via FedEx ground service. Canadian orders are shipped directly to you from TriVita offices in Chilliwack, BC via Can Post or Can Par. Please allow 7-10 business days for order processing and shipping. Need faster shipping? Next day and 2nd day service are available to most locations for an additional price. Back to top.
3. Where can I buy Nopalea? What forms of payment do you accept? May I pay by check or money order? Will there be any sales tax?
Nopalea is not available in stores. It is distributed by independent TriVita affiliate members and may be purchased only by phone, internet or mail.
Orders are processed and shipped fastest (usually within 1 business day) when payment is made by credit card or debit card. Personal check and money order payments are accepted but orders are not shipped until checks have been received and cleared by the bank. Some states do not require that sales tax be charged on nutritional supplements. Most states, however, do require that your local sales tax be added to your order. If you wish to pay by check or money order, please call us at 800-773-2214 for the exact total (including shipping and any applicable sales tax) before writing and mailing your check. Back to top.
4. Can I get products automatically sent to me each month?
Yes, through TriVita's effortless order program, you can have products automatically sent to you each month – shipped on the day of the month you choose. Autoship requests can be changed or canceled at any time. Unless you specifically indicate or request that you be set up on Monthly Autoship, all orders are processed as one-time orders. Back to top.
5. Can you answer my health and medical questions?
While we are happy to answer your product-related questions, medical questions should be directed to your healthcare professional. Information provided by us is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician and/or other healthcare professional. You should not use this information for diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions or for prescription of any treatment. Back to top.
6. What is Nopalea? What makes it so effective?
Nopalea is made from premium, antioxidant-rich Nopal cactus fruit. This fruit is carefully and sustainably harvested from the Sonoran Desert, using the same techniques the native Sonorans have been using for thousands of years.
Our harvesters take only what's needed from the extraordinary Nopal cactus, leaving most of the fruit on the plant to nourish the desert animals and ensure an abundant crop for future harvests.
From there, the fruit is juiced to a puree and bottled in a state-of-the-art facility, which ensures quality and freshness while also preserving the antioxidants and their potency. Back to top.
7. What are betalains?
- Betalains are a rare and potent class of antioxidants found in extremely high, concentrated levels in the Nopal cactus fruit. When you drink Nopalea, you take these betalains directly into your system, where they work on the cellular level to restore your vitality.
- Scientific research shows that the betalains found in the Nopal cactus fruit can help to detoxify your body, eliminating the poisons we encounter every day. Betalains also help the body reduce inflammation, protecting you from a wide variety of disorders. Back to top.
8. How are Betalain antioxidants different from other Superfruit antioxidants?
Betalains are a protein-bound antioxidant that does more than help slow aging. Betalain antioxidants can help the body reduce inflammation, detoxify the cell and restore the balance between the inside and outside of the cell for optimal cellular function. While many antioxidants have been claimed to have different health benefits, the Betalain antioxidant is specifically studied to help the body reduce inflammation on a measurable and therapeutic level. Multiple studies show that Betalain antioxidants can help the human cell detoxify and remove unwanted and dangerous toxins which help reduce inflammation. Back to top.
9. How else can I get Betalain antioxidants in my diet?
There are 24 types of Betalains known to science each one having a different function. Beets contain up to 6 of the 24 Betalains; Rainbow Swiss chard contains 12 Betalains. Nopal fruit can contain up to all 24 Betalain types, especially the Opuntia Ficus Indica Nopal fruit from the Sonora Desert. There are many species of Nopal that grow around the world. Opuntia Ficus Indica thrives in the extreme environment of the Sonora Desert and when wild-harvested at the peak of ripeness can contain all 24 Betalain types. Back to top.
10. Are betalains similar to the pigments known as flavinoids like those found in blueberries, cranberries, and other colorful fruits? I am supplementing with some of those so I am hoping that I am adding something new with Nopalea.
Betalains are quercetin bioflavonoids. They are called "orphan" bioflavonoids because they exist only in a few unrelated plant species. There is a wealth of research on Prickly Pear related to anti-toxin activity, anti-inflammatory properties, immune system support and brain protection - almost all of with is attributable to betalains. Back to top.
11. I've finished the bottle… why don't I feel any difference yet?
Most people didn't develop the inflammation overnight. Most likely your symptoms also developed over a period of time.
When inflammation in the body becomes chronic like this, you need to douse the inflammation, just like you would put out a burning fire with water. You need to supply your body with enough betalain antioxidants to help your body get the inflammation under control. In order to accomplish this, we suggest that you follow the Nopalea Loading Phase (NLP):
When taking Nopalea for the first time, drink 3 to 6 ounces daily for the first 30 days. (If you go with 6 ounces per day, it is best to split it up and drink half in the morning and the other half later in the day - since your body can absorb only so many of the antioxidants at one sitting.)
After the first 30 days, use your intuition to judge how much Nopalea you should continue to take. Do you feel like you need more? Then take more! Do you feel that the cycle of runaway inflammation has resolved? Reduce it to the amount you crave (usually 1 to 3 ounces daily). Let your body decide! Back to top.
12. How do you manage to have enough fresh fruit to make the juice year round when the cactus is not always in bloom?
As to the Prickly Pear crop, we have 2 harvests in the Sonoran Desert: a small springtime harvest and a much larger autumn harvest. We must bring the fruit in from the field frozen solid, and then thaw as needed for juicing. Back to top.
13. Is it cold processed or heat processed?
Nopalea is aseptic processed with heat. Back to top.
14. Is Nopalea pasteurized?
Nopalea is not pasteurized. It is aseptically processed using low heat and vacuum. The temperature and pressure variation as well as the rapidity of fluctuations in this process ensures sterility without the harsh heat required for pasteurization. Back to top.
15. Is the Nopalea cold pressed in nitrogen environment? It says on the infomercial that its aseptic filled, what does that mean exactly? Is it boiled?
"Aseptic" means "without Sepsis." Sepsis occurs when pathogenic micro-organisms (bad bacteria, yeast, etc.) infect the product. There are many micro-organisms on native cactus. Some of them are not beneficial for humans. We Aseptically package Nopalea to sterilize it, killing all micro-organisms. Aseptic packaging is accomplished using low heat and rapid cooling to create a pressure difference between the inside of the bacteria and the outside. The pressure difference ‘explodes' the micro-organism, killing it. This technique sterilizes the product. We never boil the product; the temperature needed for Aseptic sterilization is much lower. It is not the heat, but the difference between the high and low temperature and the speed with which the product is cooled that creates the vacuum. High heat is not needed; rapid cooling to a specified temperature difference is all that is required. Back to top.
16. I understand Nopalea is Aseptic processed with heat, and I realize that the process is needed to kill off bacteria but I have people indicate that it also kills off some of the nutrients.
Yes, heat kills off some of the nutrients and we monitor the Betalains for activity to make sure they are not harmed. The Aseptic process uses the least heat for the shortest time (far lower / shorter than pasteurization). That's why we pay extra for Aseptic packaging. Back to top.
17. Does heat during shipping have any effect on Nopalea in regards to the integrity of the product?
Nopalea is tested to 190 degrees and it is still stable with no loss of Betalains. Back to top.
18. How much Nopalea should I take?
When taking Nopalea for the first time, drink 3 to 6 ounces each day, for 30 days. For maintenance, drink 1 to 3 ounces daily, depending on your body's inflammation-fighting needs. Back to top.
19. Are there Nopalea side effects? Is it safe for everyone?
Nopalea is a concentrated wellness drink made from Nopal cactus fruit and other natural ingredients. All Nopalea ingredients are listed here. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, please consult with your health care provider before consuming Nopalea juice as an allergic reaction would be possible. Otherwise, we are aware of no Nopalea side effects. Please see Is it safe to take Nopalea with medication? for additional information.
Regarding purity, the Nopal cactus fruit is harvested from the Sonoran Desert at the peak of its freshness. From there, the fruit is juiced to a puree and bottled in a state-of-the-art facility, which ensures quality and freshness while also preserving the antioxidants and their potency. Back to top.
20. How is Nopalea different from other Superfruit concentrate products?
While many superfruit liquid wellness concentrates are available today such as Noni, Mangosteen, and Acai, Nopalea is made from the purest and freshest Opuntia Ficus Indica (Nopal) cactus that produces a antioxidant rich Superfruit. This powerful Superfruit is unique in that it contains a rare class of Antioxidant called Betalain. The Betalain antioxidant is scientifically studied and proven to help the body detoxify itself from harmful environmental toxins which help reduce and protect against inflammation. Inflammation is now considered the number one precursor to dangerous and life threatening disease. Back to top.
21. Is it safe to take Nopalea with medication?
There are no known contraindications with Nopalea and medications. However, Nopalea is a dietary supplement. If you are taking any medications or have a known medical condition, it's best to consult with your health care provider before drinking Nopalea.
We will say this: with over 200 papers published on the benefits of the Nopal cactus superfruit in human health we have not found even one negative reaction or drug interaction. The only caution we discovered concerns the blood-thinner warfarin (Coumadin). If you take warfarin you need to speak with your pharmacist.
Nopalea is a fruit juice. Rarely people on warfarin will be restricted from consuming fruit juices for a short time while their medication stabilizes. Coumadin is a finicky drug. Your pharmacist can tell you if you can have fruit juice. Nopalea has about the same impact on warfarin (Coumadin) metabolism as orange juice. Only your physician and pharmacist know if you should be restricted from fruit juices at this time – ask them! It is best to simply ask, "Can I have one ounce of orange juice with my current level of warafin?" if the answer is 'yes,' then Nopalea is okay. But we have not found a single instance of drug interaction in the medical literature; Nopalea is very safe! Back to top.
22. Should I continue taking vitamins and minerals if I drink Nopalea regularly?
Yes. Nopalea drives down inflammation created by trauma, toxins, allergy, infection and nutrient deficiency. To protect yourself from the nutrient deficiencies that can be a cause of inflammation, you should supplement your healthy diet with daily nutrients. Back to top.
23. I get a light-headed feeling when I take Nopalea. I've read that Betalains lower blood pressure, could this be an issue for someone that already has low blood pressure?
- The blood-pressure effect is due to the diuretic nature of Nopal cactus fruit. This effect takes time to reduce blood pressure – several hours to several days. More likely, the betalains (which have a tryptophan protein structure) are acting to nourish the neurotransmitters associated with stress reduction, reducing anxiety and creating a relaxation response. This effect happens immediately, within minutes.
- Nopalea causes relaxation. It reduces tension and anxiety.
- Nopalea does not cause low blood pressure. It reduces the excess fluid that causes high blood pressure. These are completely separate actions. Back to top.
24. What is the amount of caffeine in the Green Tea Extract?
- Nopalea has 0.006 to 0.008 milligrams of caffeine from green tea. Compare that to 60 to 150 milligrams of caffeine per cup of coffee. Decaffeinated coffee has 2 to 4 milligrams of caffeine.
- There are about 15 to 22 milligrams of caffeine per gram of green tea powder. Using this benchmark, we have from 0.006 to 0.008 milligrams (six one-thousandths to eight one-thousandths of one milligram) per ounce of Nopalea. Nopalea has 0.006 to 0.008 milligrams whereas decaffeinated coffee has 2 to 4 milligrams of caffeine.
- As to caffeine in green tea, there is about 7 milligrams of caffeine per gram of green tea powder. We use about 25 mg/ounce of green tea in Nopalea. This means we have 0.1 mg/serving of naturally occurring caffeine per ounce of Nopalea. You will recognize this as an undetectable amount of caffeine because of the infinitesimal amount of green tea in Nopalea. Back to top.
25. How do I determine whether I am having an allergic reaction vs. detoxification reaction to Nopalea?
- The first thing we need to do is differentiate an allergy reaction from detoxification reaction. They may look the same, but an allergy reaction will elevate the heart rate when histamine is released. Try this: first thing in the morning count your pulse rate for a full minute. Drink a single ounce of Nopalea and 8 ounces of Pure Water. Your pulse rate will increase for a minute or two because of the digestive process. Wait a full 5 minutes from the time you drink the Nopalea and water and recount your pulse rate for a full minute. Digestion will cause your pulse rate to increase by a beat or two. Detoxification may actually make a pulse rate remain or even reduce a beat or two. An allergy to Nopalea will increase your pulse rate by 6 beats or more per minute.
- If it is a true allergy, reduce your serving size to 1 teaspoon, twice daily for 28 days. This should be enough to progressively desensitize you to Nopalea.
- If it is detoxification (likely) then reduce your serving size to the threshold of symptoms (itching, rash). Then take 25 mg of niacin per meal and do a sauna twice weekly to facilitate detoxification. Your body will detoxify through the skin when the pathway through the lungs and kidneys is overloaded. This can cause the rash and itching just like an allergy. Back to top.
26. What in the Nopalea helps with diabetes and how? What in the Nopalea helps with high blood pressure and how?
- The Nopalea assists with inflammation. The cells and our body are exposed to toxins that can lead to high blood pressure or even diabetes. The Opuntia ficus indica, or Sonora Nopal Pear is rich in Betalains. Recent clinical trials support this ingredients ability to:
- Reduce Inflammation
- Detoxify cytotoxic (cell-damaging) poisons
- Protect against premature aging
- Promote optimum cellular health
- If you are diabetic or have high blood pressure, it is strongly advised to speak with your health care professional. This product assists with inflammation, but is not a treatment plan for it
- Betalains from Nopalea reduce inflammation through antioxidant protection of the blood vessel lining and by reducing inflammation in the "bad" LDL cholesterol. What is more, Betalains prevent ICAM-1 from hardening the cholesterol compound. By doing this, Betalains from Nopalea provide protection for the delicate lining of the arteries and reduce the risk for heart attacks, stroke and other vascular diseases.
- Regarding diabetes, it would be best to speak with a healthcare professional, because it does contain natural fruits, and natural sugars. Back to top.
27. You mention that the betalains work on the enzymes that cause inflammation. Do the betalains also have a mechanism that work against excess fibrin? Are they intended to help the body digest the formula, or are they intended as systemic enzymes, and if so how do they make it into blood and not get digested or expire in the juice itself?
- The enzymes I mention that are related to inflammation include phosholipase-A2, cyclo-oxygenase 2 and 5-lipoxygenase. These enzymes are part of the inflammatory cascade. As long as they remain balanced they are helpful. However, they may become part of the cascade of runaway inflammation. Betalains neutralize these enzymes to break the cycle of inflammation. Fibrin and other elements of scar tissue formation are included in the inflammatory response. Less inflammation equals less fibrin and scar tissue forming adhesions.
- The enzymes in the product are the requisite amounts needed to digest the product itself for a "zero sum gain" of enteric enzymes. This is done so as not to tax the enzyme reserves in healthy people as well as ensuring assimilation in people with compromised digestion. These enzymes will activate/neutralize in the acid environment of the stomach and ease digestion of the betalains and other constituents of Nopalea. Back to top.
28. What is the shelf life of Nopalea? Recommended product usage.
- Shake bottle before using. Once opened, the bottle should be refrigerated and consumed within 30 days. Do not drink directly from the bottle; pour into a separate cup.
- Unopened, bottles are good for one year if refrigerated. Because Nopalea is aseptically bottled, it needn't be refrigerated short term. For best results and optimal nutrition, however, refrigeration is recommended. Back to top.
29. Is Nopalea gluten free?
There is no gluten-containing ingredient in the Nopalea, none of the ingredients directly contain grain-gluten or corn proteins similar to grain gluten. However, there is a possibility that some of the ingredients (Maltodextrin, Dextran) are produced in mills that also manufacture gluten-containing products. Because of this, cross-contamination is a very real possibility even in the fruit and vegetable powders.
We could have promoted the product as "gluten-free" and we would have been within our legal right to use that claim since there is no gluten-containing ingredient in Nopalea. However, many people are so sensitive that even minute amounts of cross-contaminated product might damage their health. We simply don't want to take that risk and that is why we have elected to exclude the "gluten-free" claim to respect their health concerns. Back to top.
30. Are there any common allergens in the "Natural Flavors" of Nopalea? Such as wheat derivatives or malt extracts?
We understand that there is a concern about allergens, including gluten, among many people. Nopalea does not contain any gluten. However, because of the extreme consequences to those with gluten intolerance, we do not certify the product as "gluten-free." Back to top.
31. Are there any animal derivatives in Nopalea? Is the magnesium stearate we use derived from a plant or animal source?
There are no animal derivatives in Nopalea. The enzymes are produced by fermentation. Magnesium stearate is from a vegetable source. The natural flavors in Nopalea are prepared by distilling phenolic compounds in Prickly Pears as well as other fruits. Back to top.
32. Where does the protein in Nopalea come from? Is it animal or plant based?
Nopalea is vegetarian – no animal protein. Every plant contains a certain amount of protein structure to cell walls. The Nopal cactus fruit is one of the only sources of Taurine in nature. The amino acid (a building block of whole proteins) is vital for fat metabolism. Back to top.
33. Exactly how much Sodium is used in Nopalea?
There are 2mg of Sodium per 1 fl oz of Nopalea. See this and more nutritional information on the Nopalea bottle label.
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34. What is the PH level of Nopalea?
The pH of raw nopal fruit is 4.1
We try to maintain that balance of acidity / alkalinity inherent to the plant. Nopalea will typically be 4.0 to 4.1. Back to top.
35. How much potassium is in the Nopalea?
There is about 10 mg of potassium per ounce in Nopalea. Back to top.
36. How many carbs are in the Nopalea?
The carb count will vary from harvest to harvest. It varies because of the amount of solids – including fiber – that the fruit has at harvest. Back to top.
37. How much calcium is in the Nopalea?
It will vary depending on the harvest, however the average is 3.4 mg of Calcium per 1 fl oz. This, and more nutritional information may be seen on the the list of Nopalea ingredients.
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38. How much cranberry and Vitamin K is in Nopalea?
There is an immeasurable trace of vitamin K from some of the plants in Nopalea – none added. There is only 25 milligrams of cranberry per ounce of Nopalea. This means you would have to drink 1 1/2 bottles of Nopalea to get the equivalent of 1 small cranberry. Back to top.
39. What is the freezing temperature of Nopalea? And what is the best way to thaw it out?
Nopalea will freeze at about 28 to 34 degrees F. If frozen upon arrival, allow it to warm at room temperature. Nopalea should not be put in the freezer. Our Nopalea is vacuum sealed to guarantee its freshness and potency. If the frozen liquid attempts to expand, but doesn't have sufficient space to do so, that can potentially lead to cracks or distortions in the packaging. Therefore, while we recommend you refrigerate the product immediately upon receiving it to optimize product freshness and to best maintain its natural color and taste, we do not recommend you freeze it. Back to top.
40. Do we know the glycemic load of Nopalea?
No, the glycemic load of the individual ingredients have been estimated to be between 7 and 9 but there have been no glycemic index tests performed on Nopalea. So, glycemic load calculations are merely estimates. Back to top.
41. Where can I read about the studies done on the Nopal Cactus?
You can find many of the references you are looking for by visiting the NIH website and typing "Opuntia" in the search window. Opuntia is the genus of the nopal cactus we use. You may also wish to type Betalain, Betacyanin, Beta Xanthine, Isorhamnetin, Prickly Pear, etc. You can vary your search terms as well: Opuntia Cancer; Opuntia Cholesterol, etc. at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed
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About Agave Nectar
Recently, articles published on the internet have called into question the propriety of using Agave Nectar as a sweetener.
Using highly emotional language, these commentators have compared this natural sweetener to a poison. But, all rhetoric aside, what does science say about Agave sweetener?
First, the author points out (and we freely admit) that some manufacturers have processed this plant in such a way that it bears little resemblance to a natural product. Our select manufacturing process does not do this. Also, a negative comparison was made to High Fructose Corn Sweetener (HFCS). However, the only reference comparing the two sweeteners as equivalent in medical literature stated that they have about the same antioxidant capacity – hardly a condemnation of the product!
As to the benefits of Agave nectar, some of the earliest traditions used it to prevent and treat infections. Modern applications discuss how Agave nectar does not disturb cholesterol levels (as HFCS does); how it is not addictive (as is HFCS); and benefits health and the same anti-inflammatory benefits of Stevia.
Remember, there are nearly 7 billion people in the world; therefore, there are 7 billion opinions! Maturity says that we can listen to the opinions of others without accepting everything we hear as fact. Instead, we need to select voices we can trust and listen to them. One way to determine whether or not you should trust any particular "voice" is to look at scientific fact versus emotional rhetoric. If someone uses inflammatory, sensational speech to inflate a weak idea with little scientific validity, that voice simply cannot be trusted on this particular issue.
Is the Agave Nectar in Nopalea as bad as high fructose corn syrup?
Agave nectar is a natural form of sugar, in small moderate amounts it is not harmful for one to consume. It is not toxic, there is no impact on blood sugar so it is safe for diabetics.
General Info
Agave is a succulent plant native to the Sonora Desert. Agave nectar has become a low calorie sweetener, and is in fact 75% sweeter than sugar. Despite its sweet taste, Agave nectar is a low-glycemic index food. The glycemic index measure how high one's blood sugar rises when certain foods are eaten. Agave Nectar is the recommended natural sweetener in low calorie diets for weight management when it is added to foods and beverages.
Benefits include:
- Low glycemic load
- Low in calories
- Safe for diabetics
What is agave?
Agave is a succulent plant, related to the yucca and lily, which grows in the southern and western United States and in central and tropical South America. The agave plants have a large rosette of thick fleshy leaves, each ending generally in a sharp point.
Each agave rosette grows slowly and flowers only once. When the agave is ready to flower, a tall stem grows from the center of the leaf rosette and produces a large number of short tubular flowers. After development of the fruit, the original plant dies, but shoots are frequently produced from the base of the stem which becomes new plants.
Four major parts of the agave plant have culinary uses. The flowers are edible and can be tossed in salads. The leaves are rich in sap and can be eaten. The stalks can be roasted before they flower and exude a distinctive sweet molasses-like flavor. Sap that is used as sweetener comes from the flower shoots.
Agave syrup is a low-glycemic sweetener
Agave, as compared to other sweeteners, has a desirable low-glycemic index. This means that when consumed, it won't cause a sharp rise or fall in blood sugar.
Here is a list of sweeteners and corresponding glycemic values. The higher the value, the bigger the impact on blood sugar.
GLYCEMIC VALUE EXAMPLES
Organic Agave Nectar 27
Fructose (fruit sugar) 32
Lactose (milk sugar) 65
Honey 83
High fructose corn syrup 89
Sucrose (sugar) 92
Glucose 137
Glucose tablets 146
Maltodextrin 150
Maltose 150
Source: BlueAgaveNectar.com
There is about 1/2 teaspoon of Agave nectar per serving of Nopalea. If you are diabetic and monitor your food exchanges, a one-teaspoon serving of agave nectar equals a "free food." Two teaspoons of Agave Nectar (the amount in 4 ounces of Nopalea) equals 1/2 carbohydrate exchange.
Health benefits of agave nectar
Agave contains saponins and fructans. Saponins have anti-inflammatory properties, including antimicrobial capability. In fact, the Aztecs used agave syrup to treat wounds because of its antibacterial properties.
Inulin is a type of fructan or fiber that has many health benefits. Studies suggest that inulin can be effective in weight loss because of its low impact on blood sugar and its ability to increase satiety and decrease appetite. Inulin is also associated with lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of certain cancers, and increasing the absorption of nutrients, such as isoflavones, calcium and magnesium. Back to top.
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