Vitamins – a virtual vitamin capsule in the form of a fruit:
Vitamin C – Just 100 grams of dried NingXia wolfberries has more than twice the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C with three times the vitamin C of raw oranges. Vitamin C is very important for its immune-enhancing properties as it fuels the white blood cell’s ability to attack pathogens in the body.
Vitamin B1(Thiamin) and B3 (Niacin) – With 67 times the thiamin of brown rice, the NingXia wolfberry is the richest known whole food source of natural thiamin. Thiamin is essential for proper energy production, carbohydrate metabolism and thyroid function. The NingXia wolfberry also has 100 times the niacin as oat bran and 2 times that of baker’s yeast. Niacin is well known for its heart support.
Minerals – High mineral profile AND mineral balance.
Minerals are so very important as vitamins cannot be assimilated or utilized by the body without minerals. Also, minerals must be properly balanced as excesses or depletions can cause poor immunity and other health concerns. Both the mineral profile and mineral balance of the NingXia wolfberry is without equal in the plant kingdom with magnesium to calcium ratios at almost 1:1, zinc to copper ratios at 2:1 and potassium to magnesium ratios at 8:1.
Calcium – Calcium is very important for building bones and helps reduce body fat and lower the risk of some cancers. The NingXia Wolfberry has more calcium than spinach, walnuts or cottage cheese and 5 times the calcium of cauliflower.
Magnesium – Magnesium reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also treats depression and headaches. 100 grams of dried NingXia wolfberries contain 325% of the recommended daily allowance for magnesium.
Potassium – The NingXia wolfberry has 4 times the amount of potassium as bananas and more potassium than dried apricots, sunflower seeds, almonds or figs. Potassium is the single most important mineral to human health and longevity, being essential for normal electrolyte and pH balance within the cell. Potassium alone or when combined with magnesium produces a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
Chromium and Zinc– Chromium is part of the Glucose Tolerance Factor . It enhances insulin sensitivity and makes it easier for glucose to enter the cell. The NingXia wolfberry has 65% the RDA for chromium. Zinc plays an essential role in a healthy immune system. It aids in the immune system’s first line of defense by helping with the production of natural killer cells and enhancing the pathogen killing activity of macrophages (a type of white blood cell). The NingXia wolfberry has more zinc than turkey, wild rice, eggs, lima beans or asparagus.
Protein Powerhouse!
Protein – The NingXia wolfberry is over 5 percent protein by weight with 18 amino acids. It is rich in the amino acids L-arginine and L-glutamine. Arginine helps reduce blood pressure, stimulates growth hormone and improves circulation to combat diabetes and boosts immunity. The NingXia wolfberry has more L-arginine than shiitake mushrooms, cottage cheese, barley, yogurt, spinach or dates.
Fiber – The Staff of Life!
Fiber – With one of the highest percentages of fiber of any whole food, the NingXia wolfberry is over 21% fiber by weight. It has more fiber than oat bran and double the fiber of buckwheat. High intake of fiber is directly correlated with lower risk of cancer, better control of blood sugar levels, lower risk of heart disease, lowered blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health
Beyond Vitamins, Minerals and Amino Acids..
Phytonutrients:
The NingXia wolfberry is more than just a virtual vitamin capsule in the form of a fruit. It also contains unique phytonutrients that have been shown to protect the liver, eyes, heart, and cellular DNA from age-related deteriorization and disease.
Polysaccharides:
The NingXia wolfberry contains a unique protein-sugar complex known as a lycium polysaccharide. Many documented studies have proven this polysaccharide’s cardioprotective, anti-cancerous and immune-stimulating properties. It also has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and protect the pancreas. The NingXia wolfberry has the highest content of this polysaccharide of any food.
Carotenoids:
The NingXia wolfberry contains a broad spectrum of carotene-like substances known as carotenoids such as zeaxanthin, lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin. Zeaxanthin and lutein have been shown to protect against skin cancer and protect the eyes against such diseases as age-related macular degeneration. Beta-cryptoxanthin has been shown to inhibit cancer and stimulate bone growth and has been linked to an 18% reduced incidence of glaucoma in a Harvard study.
Ref. NingXia Red nutritional facts: More than just an anti-oxidant.
Essential Oils Desk Reference and in Gary Young’s Book NingXia Wolfberry: Discovery of the Ultimate Superfood.
Additional research from NIH.gov on the Wolfberry and it’s benefits and role in TCM:
