What to do if you eat too many Wolfberry

Wolfberry, also known as lycium barbarum, is a species of wolfberry native to southeastern Europe, northern Africa and parts of western Asia. As an herbal supplement, wolfberries are believed to have many health benefits. However, when these berries are exposed to damaging UV radiation, they can lose their appealing dark purple and red color, turning them into a yellowish color.

So what causes this discoloration? In order to understand, it’s important to understand that the bright colors of wolfberries are the result of pigments called anthocyanins. These pigments are produced by the plant’s cells in response to environmental factors, such as light and temperature, and play an important role in protecting the plant from UV radiation. When exposed to UV radiation, the anthocyanins break down, causing the berry to lose its color.

Furthermore, the breakdown of anthocyanins can also be accelerated by certain chemicals or even certain types of packaging. For example, plastic packaging can trap UV radiation and cause the breakdown of anthocyanins at a faster rate. Food processing can also accelerate the breakdown of anthocyanins. This is why it is important to store wolfberries in airtight and opaque containers, as well as to avoid processing them in any way.

Pesticides and fertilizers can also cause the breakdown of anthocyanins in wolfberries. This is because these chemicals alter the environment of the plant and can cause the cell walls to break down, thus leading to the breakdown of anthocyanins. Therefore, it is important to buy organic wolfberries when possible, as this guarantees that they are free from chemicals that could cause their discoloration.

In conclusion, wolfberries can lose their dark purple and red color when exposed to damaging UV radiation. This discoloration is caused by the breakdown of pigments known as anthocyanins. This breakdown can be accelerated by certain chemicals and types of packaging, as well as by pesticides and fertilizers. Therefore, it is important to buy organic wolfberries and to store them in an opaque and airtight container.

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