Wolfberry

Wolfberries (Lycium barbarum) have been used for over 5,000 years in China (called Goji berries in China), and considered  their “secret weapon” for endurance and stamina. The wolfberries from the Ningxia province are so treasured that there is a two week celebration in China for this most nutrient dense food on the planet. Wolfberries were the peasants’ “ginseng” because they could harvest the wolfberries freely and could not afford the ginseng root.

 Wolfberries have:

 Higher beta-carotene than carrots

Higher calcium than cauliflower

 More Vitamin C than oranges

18 amino acids

 21 essential minerals

16% protein by volume

 Antioxidants and polysaccharides (containing all eight essential glyconutrients)

Scientific studies have shown wolfberries to:

 Improve vision

Reduce inflammation

Reduce cholesterol levels by 52%

Reduce triglycerides by 71%

Raise HDL cholesterol by 58%

Increases glutathione in the liver by 50%

Lower blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic)

The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) test, developed by USDA researchers at Tufts University, is one of the most valuable methods for measuring the ability of antioxidants to absorb oxygen radicals. According to the ORAC test, the wolfberry is one of the highest known antioxidant whole foods. This means the wolfberry has unsurpassed ability to absorb the bad free radicals that attack the body and contribute to cancer and aging. The most common and worst free radical is the superoxide radical. Elevated superoxides have been linked to asthma, allergies, heart disease, hepatitis, cancer and most chronic diseases. Therefore, there are two tests: the ORAC and S-ORAC. Here is a graph comparing the ORAC values for different foods.

Plants carry most of their antioxidants and polysaccharides in their peel. Whole wolfberries have shown far better antioxidant activity than either the isolated polysaccharide or other extracts of wolfberries.

Wolfberry – Nutrient-Dense Super Food
The Wolfberry is one of the most promising health-supporting foods; with over 15 percent protein, 21 essential minerals and 18 amino acids, the wolfberry is a nutrient-dense superfood in a class all its own.

Immune Supporting Properties
There is substantial evidence that the lycium polysaccharides in the wolfberry have significant antioxidant and immune-supporting properties.

Ancient Persian History
Wolfberries had been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of illnesses. What’s more, the people who consumed them on a regular basis lived remarkably healthy lives for 100-plus years.

Strengthening and Restoring Major Organs:
One Chinese Medica dating back 2,000 years cites their use in treatments ranging from replenishing vital essences to strengthening and restoring major organs.

A Superfood in it’s Own Class
More recently, comprehensive analyses have found that wolfberries contain 18 types of amino acids, 21 trace minerals, 29 fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, more beta carotene than carrots, more Vitamin C than oranges, and as much protein as bee pollen.

What’s more, they are a source of superoxide dismutase and phenylpropanoids. Numerous studies have shown wolfberries are extremely useful for boosting the immune system, protecting the liver, improving the quality of blood, and improving vision.