Eating Wolfberries May Help Improve Vision Problems Caused By Diabetes

According to a new Kansas State University study, routinely consuming Chinese wolfberries may lower the oxidative stress that the eye often undergoes in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.

A wolfberry is a bright orange fruit that has been used for years as an alternative remedy to help boost the immune system, rebalance homeostasis and support the liver and kidneys.

In an effort to better understand the medicinal properties contained in wolfberries, the study’s lead author Daniel Lin, an assistant professor of human nutrition at the university, and his colleagues found that the fruit contains high levels of zeaxanthin, lutein, polysaccharides and polyphenolics, which have all shown to help prevent age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

"I would not say that wolfberries are a medicine, but they can be used as a dietary supplement to traditional treatments to improve vision," Lin said.

"Wolfberries have high antioxidant activity and are very beneficial to protect against oxidative stress caused by environmental stimuli and genetic mutations," he added.

Although wolfberries cannot be found in traditional United States food stores, they can be purchased at most Chinese markets or found in dietary supplements.