Sweet Mesquite!

Mesquite is one of the lesser-known superfoods. A leguminous plant that’s found in Northern Mexico, South Western United States, the Chihuanhuan, Sonoran and Colorado deserts, Mesquite grows under difficult condition. Mesquite is actually a tree but looks more like a shrub with roots that bury deep into the soil enabling them to survive in an arid environment. Their adaptability gives them great status amongst native people of the area because they provide an enormous amount of nutrition where little nourishment is available. Mesquite, in fact, has been a staple food for the desert dwellers of South America for centuries and contains large digestible amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and the amino acid lysine.

Mesquite and blood sugar balance in the blood:

The glorious thing about mesquite is its taste. Mesquite is consumed after it is ground down into a meal or flour form the pods of the plant and has a rich caramel, malty taste. Despite this, Mesquite has a very low GI value of 25 and does not require insulin to digest its sugars. While also having high fibre content, Mesquite is of great assistance and benefit when it comes to stabilising blood sugar levels. It is also safe for diabetics because its sugars come from fructose.

Mesquite and Lysine:

Apart from making it high in protein, the presence of the amino acid Lysine in Mesquite gives it medicinal properties. Lysine is an essential component of the human diet and plays an important part in growth and bone development in children and the balance of nitrogen in adults. Lysine also assists in the production of antibodies and hormones, synthesis of collagen and the reparations of tissue damage. Furthermore, this amino acid has virus-fighting abilities and mediates the uptake and use of fatty acids for energy production. 

TONIC CORE:

Mesquite is listing as one of the major ingredients of TONIC SUPERFOODS’ Tonic Core. This is a formulation packed with bio-available (highly digestible) nutrition that both cleanses and rebuilds your body.  It can be taken on its own or in conjunction with other Tonic programs for optimal results. Tonic Core contains superfoods that help to re-mineralize nutrient deficient bodies.  When mineral rich foods are consumed it reduces cravings for nutrient deficient foods, it increases mental function and equips you better to cope with stress.

Tonic Core is a dietary upgrade that is naturally cleansing, gently detoxifying the body & bringing it back into balance.

By Bonnie Pockley.

Note from the Tonic Team: Another great way to try mesquite is with our yummy hot chocolate recipe - which you can find by clicking here!