Wolfberry – Super Berry
Have you eaten your Wolfberries today?!
The first time I tired them I was like ah nothing special as far as the taste. But then my husband, who loves his oatmeal jam packed full of stuff, said lets try them in our oatmeal. Now we have them almost everyday. And I love the fact that I am getting powerful nutrients in every bite!
Wolfberry history:
Records from an ancient Chinese physician’s handbook during the Ming Dynasty (1468-1664 AD), documents the ancient use of wolfberry.
It is still included in a number of Chinese herbal pharmacopoeias.
In the mid- 1980’s biochemists analyzed the Ningxia wolfberry and they found that it is 15.6 percent protein (dry weight) and contains at least 21 essential minerals, as well as significant levels of vitamins such as thiamin (vit B1), niacin (vit B3) and vitamin C.
The Ningxia wolfberry is one of the richest know whole-food sources of natural vitamin B1 or thiamin, which is essential for proper energy production, carbohydrate metabolism, and thyroid function.
With a total of 15.6 percent protein the wolfberry contains as much protein as raw oats, one of the richest known sources of plant protein. Just as important as the total protein content are the amino acids that are present, as amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Protein is a vital building block of white blood cells and antibodies, which are some of the most prolifically reproducing cells in the body!!
Whew! Powerful stuff!!
Wolfberry at a glance:
Nutrients in 100 grams of Ningxia Wolfberry
- Protein – 15.6g
- Fiber – 21 g
- Fat – .45 g
- Sugar – 42 g
- Vit A – 12,600 iu
- Vit B1 – 27 mg
- Vit B3 – 88 mg
- Vit B5 – 88 mg
- Vit C – 148 mg
- Biotin – 28 ug
- Calcium – 110 my
- Chromium – 79 mg
- Copper – 1.1mg
- Iron – 11 mg
- Magnesium – 130 mg
- Manganese – 1.3 mg
- Potassium – 1,600 mg
- Zinc – 1.8 mg
Potassium: The wolfberry is one of the highest whole-food sources of potassium.
Zinc: The wolfberry is a rich vegetarian source of zinc, a mineral critical for healthy immunity. The dried berry has five times as much zinc as brussel sprouts and more zinc than raw eggs.
Fiber: With over 21 percent fiber by weight, the wolfberry has more fiber than oat bran and double the fiber of buckwheat. In fact, the wolfberry has one of the highest percentages of fiber of any whole food. It is rich in soluble fiber as well, which is highly efficient in removing triglycerides and cholesterol from the blood.
Phytonutrients: The wolfberry also contains many unique phytonutrients. Google what these bad boys can do!
Carotenoids: The wolfberry is one of the richest sources of carotenoids. These are super supportive to the immune, muscular skeletal system and helpful in supporting healthy eyes.
Cerebrosides & Pyrroles: What he heck are these? These are nutrients that support one of the most important organs in the body, the liver. Yep, wolfberries have these compounds as well!
Polysaccharides: The wolfberry ranks high in polysaccharides, which are helpful in supporting healthy circulatory, immune and digestive systems.
Seriously, these are powerful little berries. Go eat some Ningxia Wolfberries!