By: Ivana Dragica |
Goji berries – high-energy superfood from Himalayas |
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Small goji berry (also known as wolfberry) is one of the most powerful herbs in the world.
Goji berry (Lat. Lyceum barbarum) is a woody shrubbery plant that produces highly energetic fruits with berry-chocolate flavor.
It grows on Himalayas where it is used not just in cuisine, but also in medicine for centuries.
They are also called “lucky berries” or “red diamonds”.
In England, goji berries are known since the 18th century and were used in cuisine and as decoration.
At the beginning of the 21st century, their popularity grows when their influence on health was confirmed in medicinal studies.
Goji berries are today world known known superfood. They are at the first place on a US ORAC scale which measures antioxidative properties of food.
The better the position on that scale, the better the ability of food in destroying free radicals that threaten our health and accelerate aging process.
Richness of nutrients
Goji berries are rich in antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. They are rich in many other compounds, which makes them a real superfood.
They have extremely high levels vitamin C, iron and many other nutrients.
Goji berries contain:
- 19 amino acids (8 of which are essential)
- 21 minerals in traces, including anti-carcinogenic germanium
- more proteins than integral wheat seeds (13%)
- more vitamin C than orange
- vitamin B complex necessary for conversion of food into energy
- vitamin E (rarely found in fruits, mostly in seeds and cereals)
- cyperone which is useful for heart and blood pressure and alleviates female problems
- physalin, an active compound that protects against leukemia and hepatitis B
- solavetivole, a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound
- betaine, used in the liver for collyne production, a compound that alleviates anxiety, enhances memory and protects against fatty liver. Betaine also reduces the risk of heart attack and protects the DNA
- complete spectrum of antioxidant carotenoide, including beta-carotene (better than in carrot) and zeaxanthin (protect the eyes). This makes goji berries the richest source of beta- carotene than any other known food item
- beta-sitosterol, anti-inflammatory agent. It is also used for reducing cholesterol, treating sexual impotence and enlarged prostate
- essential fatty acids needed for maintaining hormone production, adequate performances of brain and nervous system.
Effects on health
Due to its richness, these miraculous berries have a broad spectrum of effects. Goji berries:
- strengthen the immune system
- decelerate aging processes in organism
- prevent leukemia and cancer development
- protect against heart and blood vessel diseases
- regulate performances of the urinary system
- give strength and energy
- have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects
- enhance fertility in women
- protect the eyesight and contribute to more beautiful complexion
- enhance circulation
- protect against diabetes
- enhance sperm quality.
Application
In order to enjoy health benefits of goji berries, you need small quantities of them. The recommended daily dosage is 10-30 grams.
But there is no limit for consuming goji berries. For example, Chinese medicine often applies dosages of up to 150 grams a day.
Unfortunately, you will not find fresh goji berries in many countries, since they spoil quite quickly. That is where on market we find dry goji berries and goji berry juice.
Our goji berries come from ecological cultivation. They are dried in a natural way and did not undergo processes that include high temperatures during which they would lose their healing properties.
They do not contain preservatives, aromas or additional sugars.
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