Goji Berries – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

07/06/2017 / By Jhoanna Robinson

Goji berries, which are similar in taste to cranberries, originated from the Himalayas and China. Lately, they have been endemic to Europe, but still can hardly be found in Northern America. They are small – probably about the size of your pinkie and have tiny seeds.

They go by different names, which include wolf berries or Chinese wolf berries and Tibetan goji. They are usually sold by weight at bulk food stores in Chinatown markets. A 500-gram bag of dried goji berries go for $15 to $20, making them a tad more expensive than other berries.

List of known nutrient

Beta-Carotene
Betaine
Beta-Sitosterol
Calcium
Carbohydrates
Copper
Iron
Lutein
Lycopene
Peptidoglycans
Potassium
Protein
Riboflavin
Selenium
Sodium
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Zeaxanthin
Zinc

Medicinal uses for goji berries

Eating goji berries can help you have radiant skin as they have properties that can protect you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Goji berry extracts prevent the aging of the skin. They also inhibit the progression of cancerous tumors.

Goji berries can help protect your eyesight.

Goji berries are known for their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) properties. Thus, they help fight the harmful effects of free radicals.

They regulate blood sugar levels and boost insulin sensitivity, preventing diabetes and strokes. They also lower the presence of cholesterol in the body; a high amount of cholesterol in the body can cause the buildup of plaque-like structures in the blood vessels and arteries which in turn can lead to an obscured blood flow and cause a heart attack.

Eating goji berries can make you happy. Studies show that goji berries contribute to an increase in energy and a general sense of well-being.

Eating goji berries is good for people who are trying to lose weight. Goji berries have a low glycemic index, meaning the release sugar more slowly into the bloodstream. This has an effect of making one feel fuller longer and less likely to eat big quantities of food during their next meal. Goji berry juices also induce increased calorie burning.

Being a low-calorie and low-sugar fruit, goji berries are the perfect alternative to fruits that are high in sugar content. Eat them at snack time to avoid overconsuming during lunch or dinner.

Goji berries are also good for your heart, brain, and liver. They can also alleviate abdominal pain.

Body systems supported by goji berries

Goji berries are beneficial to the immune system as they can protect you from flu, the common cold, dry cough, and headaches.

Copper, iron, selenium, and zinc – the minerals that are found in goji berries – are vital to proper organ function, proper cell maintenance, and proper metabolic control.

Goji berries have benefits to the reproductive system, especially the male one. They boost sperm quantity and movement, maintain a healthy erection and ejaculation response, heighten sexual prowess, and improve testosterone levels. They can even act as an aphrodisiac.

Ways to use goji berries

Ground goji berries can be mixed into tea or into ingredients for baking. They are great when cooked with lean pork or turkey. They can also be consumed as juices. Pick up some tips on how to prepare goji berries here.