The wolfberry has caused a stir in the world of health foods. Also known as the goji berry, the red wolfberry is grown principally in the Ningxia region of China. It has been hailed as one of the new superfruits and seems set to take its place as one of the most remarkable of newly discovered health foods.
The wolfberry or goji berry belongs to the genus Lycium, and two species are grown: L. chinense and L. barbarum. The plant has long been important in eastern traditional medicine. In Europe it was a favourite exotic plant in Victorian gardens.
Along with other superfruits, the wolfberry or goji berry has been identified as a highly nutritious food, as well as having medicinal properties. It is especially rich in antioxidant-rich phenols, which counteract the ageing and carcinogenic effects of free radicals. They contain four times more antioxidant than prunes, one of the fruits highest in antioxidants.
Scientific analysis of the nutritional potency of goji berries has shown that they contain a wealth of vitamin C (as much as 150 mg per 100g in fresh, rather than dried, berries). This makes them a far better source of vitamin C than fruits like the orange. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is abundant in the wolfberry, as is beta carotene, essential for maintaining healthy eyesight. Research has also revealed that these berries are mineral-rich, containing calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and selenium.
Red wolfberries are also exceptionally rich in a carotenoid known as zeaxanthin, as well as in polysaccharides, plant sterols, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Unfortunately, extravagant claims have been made for goji berries and red wolfberry juice, including that it prevents breast cancer. These have attracted critical attention from food safety agencies in Europe and the USA, so use your careful judgment when assessing claims.
Legend has it that a Chinese man who ate goji berries daily lived to the age of 250. In Chinese medicine the fruits (and sometimes the bark) are believed to improve the skin, aid male fertility and vigor, boost liver and kidney function and enhance vision. Some substances found in the red wolfberry have been investigated by western medicine, with evidence that they may assist in a wide range of conditions, from hepatitis B to cervical cancer. Goji berries may have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, lower cholesterol and modulate blood pressure.
Ongoing research may confirm wolfberries as a wonder food. Consumers should be aware that juices labeled as wolfberry or goji juice are often juice blends, and that the quality of the fruit varies, depending on growing conditions, region of origin, and processing methods, amongst other factors. - 14130
The wolfberry or goji berry belongs to the genus Lycium, and two species are grown: L. chinense and L. barbarum. The plant has long been important in eastern traditional medicine. In Europe it was a favourite exotic plant in Victorian gardens.
Along with other superfruits, the wolfberry or goji berry has been identified as a highly nutritious food, as well as having medicinal properties. It is especially rich in antioxidant-rich phenols, which counteract the ageing and carcinogenic effects of free radicals. They contain four times more antioxidant than prunes, one of the fruits highest in antioxidants.
Scientific analysis of the nutritional potency of goji berries has shown that they contain a wealth of vitamin C (as much as 150 mg per 100g in fresh, rather than dried, berries). This makes them a far better source of vitamin C than fruits like the orange. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is abundant in the wolfberry, as is beta carotene, essential for maintaining healthy eyesight. Research has also revealed that these berries are mineral-rich, containing calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and selenium.
Red wolfberries are also exceptionally rich in a carotenoid known as zeaxanthin, as well as in polysaccharides, plant sterols, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Unfortunately, extravagant claims have been made for goji berries and red wolfberry juice, including that it prevents breast cancer. These have attracted critical attention from food safety agencies in Europe and the USA, so use your careful judgment when assessing claims.
Legend has it that a Chinese man who ate goji berries daily lived to the age of 250. In Chinese medicine the fruits (and sometimes the bark) are believed to improve the skin, aid male fertility and vigor, boost liver and kidney function and enhance vision. Some substances found in the red wolfberry have been investigated by western medicine, with evidence that they may assist in a wide range of conditions, from hepatitis B to cervical cancer. Goji berries may have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, lower cholesterol and modulate blood pressure.
Ongoing research may confirm wolfberries as a wonder food. Consumers should be aware that juices labeled as wolfberry or goji juice are often juice blends, and that the quality of the fruit varies, depending on growing conditions, region of origin, and processing methods, amongst other factors. - 14130
About the Author:
Ready to experience the power of Ningxia Red? NingXia Red has the highest levels of naturally occurring, age-defying S-ORAC activity to help support immune function, cardiovascular health, and nourish the eyes Visit Deborah and Michael Lindholm, Young Living Independent Distributors to get started today.
No comments:
Post a Comment