0 Dr. Oz and Nopalea

Dr. Oz and Nopalea

One of the most respected health experts in the world – Dr. Oz -- has touted the health and medicinal benefits of the prickly pear cactus – which is what Nopalea Juice is made from.

The juice, made from the Nopal Cactus (nicknamed the Prickly Pear Cactus but also known by its Latin name - Opuntia humifusa). It grows in Mexico and in the Grand Canyon area of Arizona. This native plant has been used for centuries, dating back to the Aztecs as both a food and a medicine.

Dr. Oz has spoken about its benefits at least twice on his television show. In one episode, a surprise guest appearance by comedian Jimmy Fallon sparked mention of the cactus and its health properties as a natural remedy.

Fallon walked on the show with a beribboned bottle of booze to give to Dr. Oz and told him that the night before he had been drinking vodka. He said he had a question for Dr. Oz:

"What's the healthiest way to get drunk?"

As Fallon explained in his trademark funny manner, many people drink and we need an answer to this question.

One way to prevent hangovers is to drink alcohol that is a clear liquid, as Fallon did when he drank vodka. The more color an alcohol has, the more impurities it has that can lead to a hangover. If you do overindulge, Oz recommends that you drink some water, take some aspirin, get up, and exercise. He gave this advice to Fallon and then added:

"Know what I'm going to send you? I'm going to send you some prickly pear."
Fallon looked confused and thanked him.

"Prickly Pear really works on hangovers," Oz told him.

Then on another episode of Dr. Oz, called the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, he included the Prickly Pear Cactus as one of the seven, calling it the "natural healer" from the Grand Canyon.

"It's got tons of fiber," he said.

Oz also pointed out that the fruit that comes from the prickly pear is beneficial; saying that researchers show it could help treat diabetes. He added that diabetes is a common problem for many Americans.

On that episode, Oz had guest star and alternative health expert Bryce Wylde on his show talking about the way the cactus can possibly help diabetes. He called it a bit paradoxical because the plant actually contains sugar.

Wylde and Oz talked about how the fiber in the plant is both soluble and insoluble. Because of this, the plant will stay in the digestive system and slow down the time it takes for any sugar in the food you eat to get into the bloodstream.

Dr. Oz did a demonstration of this with an audience member and a funnel. First, he had her pour the sugar through the funnel and it sifted through quickly. Then he put some fiber in the funnel and then poured the sugar in. It slowly trickled to the bottom container.

That means that with the fiber from the cactus you will get the nutrients, as you need them, not faster than you need them, he explained.