Traditional uses
Wolfberries are commonly used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for therapeutic purposes and as common recipes in households. The people who consumed this fruit were found to live free of common diseases like arthritis, cancer and diabetes, and their life expectancies extended above 100 years in some instances. Clinical study carried out on the immune, physiological and biochemical indexes of the blood of aged volunteers indicated that the wolfberry caused the blood of aged volunteers to noticeably revert to a younger state.
Its rich counterparts, ginseng and lingzi with some similar antioxidant properties, are not within the reach of most common folks. Also, ginseng is considered too strong for continuous use, and large amounts may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure or heart disease. In comparison, the wolfberry has no known risk from continuous use on limited feed.
Nutrient contents
Since the early 21st century there has been rapidly growing attention for wolfberries for their nutrient value and antioxidant properties as required for our body’s daily macronutrient needs. The content of this fruit comprises 68% carbohydrates, 12% proteins and 10% each of fibre and fat, yielding a total caloric value of 370 per 100 gm serving. Soybean is in the same league, except its caloric value is only 137 per 100 gm.
Wolfberry’s diverse and richness in micronutrients has won it accolades as an exceptional health food which include:
- 11 essential and 22 trace dietary minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, germanium and selenium
- 18 amino acids
- 6 essential vitamins like Vitamin B, Vitamin C, beta-carotene
- 8 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharides
- 5 unsaturated fatty acids, including the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega 6) and alpha-linolenic acid (precursor of omega 3)
- beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols
- 5 carotenoids, namely beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene and cryptoxanthin
Health benefits
+ Wolfberry is reported to have the potential to improve damage to the retina by lowering the oxidative stress that the eye undergoes as a result of type-2 diabetes. Its high antioxidant activity is very beneficial in protecting against oxidative stress caused by environmental stimuli and genetic mutations as well. This helps to prevent age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy as phytochemicals protect the retinal pigment epithelial cells from hyperglycemia or high glucose problem.
+ Wolfberry is effective in protecting the liver as experiments carried out on mice found the alcoholic extract of this fruit inhibited tumor growth by 58%, and its protein displayed an insulin-like action known to be effective in promoting fat emulsification and reducing blood sugar.
+ Leucine is an essential amino acid that must be obtained from external sources, present in small quantities in plant and animal food, and is a natural component of breast milk. In general, it supports the immune function, burns fat and builds muscle. After its conversion of leucine into HMB, it can lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in blood. Not only do bodybuilders and other athletes like the idea, cancer, AIDS and muscular dystrophy patients can use it to prevent muscle-wasting too.
+ In one study on a group of cancer patients, the wolfberry triggered an increase in both lymphocyte transformation rate and white blood cell count. This is likely due to the germanium found in the fruit which is capable of inducing the body cells to produce “interferon” which can regulate the immune system to fight against the virus and cancerous cells. It also has an effect of up-taking 10 times more oxygen to the blood cells to help with clearing body toxins and expedite recovery. Another study conducted showed its most important constituent, Lycium barbarum polysaccharide inhibits the proliferation of HeLa cells by inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.
+ A separate study involving a group of 50 people with lower-limit white blood cell counts showed the intake of wolfberry increased phagocytosis and the titre of serum antibodies. Unhealthy levels of titre of serum antibodies have long been associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
+ In another study, consumption of wolfberry leads to a strengthening of immunoglobulin A levels. A decline of which is one of the signs of aging. Hence, an increase in these levels suggests that it may enable injured DNA to better repair itself and ward off tissue degeneration and thus retard premature aging.
+ As we grow older, the levels of lipid peroxide in our blood increase, whilst levels of health-protecting antioxidants, like superoxide dismutase (SOD) decrease. In a clinical study of people who consumed doses of wolfberry, SOD in the blood increased by a remarkable 48%, hemoglobin increased by 12% and lipid peroxide levels dropped by a whopping 65%.
+ For lung disorders, the fruit moisturises the lungs and relieves a dry cough.
Safety issues
*
Two published case reports described elderly women who experienced increased bleeding, expressed as an elevated INR, after drinking quantities of wolfberry tea. Further in vitro testing revealed that the tea inhibited warfarin metabolism, providing evidence for possible interaction between warfarin and undefined wolfberry phytochemicals.* Atropine, a toxic alkaloid occurs naturally in wolfberry fruit. The atropine concentrations of berries from China and Thailand are variable, with a maximum content of 19 ppb, below the likely toxic amount. That may be the reason why Chinese physicians recommend taking a handful of about 10 dried one per day.
* With its long history as a food and a herbal medicine, there has been practically no adverse reports other than a few cases of allergic reactions. Even pregnant women can take it in an appropriate quantity.
* Over-dosage problems? Its beta-carotene content can cause harmless yellowing of the skin which disappears once consumption is reduced.
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