Goji berries are also known as Wolfberries. Some people even misspell it as “gogi berries”. It is a sweet-taste, dark-red colored dried fruit, and mainly comes from north-western area of China. It has been grown and consumed in China for a few thousand years. Goji berries are mostly found in the market as Tibetan or Himalaya goji berries. We are not saying that there is no presence of goji berries in Tiebet or Himaylan region, however, what we are saying is there is no commercial growth of goji berries in Tibet, so majority of goji berries are not coming from Tibet, but from north-western part of China.
Some of the best benefit to come from the Goji berry is the fact that it helps the liver and kidney remain healthy and resistant to negative impacts. Other types of eye diseases are also said to be treated by consumption of the Goji berry. The China people as a whole digest the berry very commonly, claiming that the berry helps one stay healthy and energetic, not to mention young and visually appealing. And as Chinese studies go, there have indeed been some results that would claim that Goji berries do indeed have anti-aging effects for those who consume them. After all, the “super” fruit has a big name to live up to!
When looking for scientific proof that the Goji berry does have anti-aging effects, doubters can look at the ORAC content of the Goji berry. ORAC, or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is the measure of anti-oxidants in a certain food or consumable item. This measuring scale was created by the United States Department of Agriculture, and has been used to give the Goji berry a score of 3,472 ORAC units- meaning it is extremely high in anti-oxidant value. And as we all well know, anti-oxidants are important in the anti-aging process.
Recent years people all over the world have discovered many benefits of goji berry. In July 2006 Time Magazine called the goji berry the “Breakout Superfruit of the Year”. Its popularity and consumption have been increasing all the time in Western countries such as USA, Japan, Canada and Europe et. Many published studies discussed the benefits of goji berries, including its antioxidant properties etc.
It has also been found that goji berries contain Calcium (112mg/100g), Potassium (1.13 mg/100g), Iron (9mg/100g), Zinc (2mg/100g), Selenium (50 micrograms/100g), Riboflavin (1.3mg/100g), Vitamin C (148mg/100g). Goji Berries also contain many phytochemicals,
There are few things in nature that can attest that they help fight cancer. But for the Goji berry, this is something it can do with its natural benefits, minerals, and vitamins. A study in recent years has shown that Goji berries can give cancer victims a greater chance of making use of cancer drugs, in some cases extending the benefit of cancer drugs by over half. Other cases prove that Goji berries can improve the leukemia cell count, meaning the Goji berry has very powerful anti-cancer properties.
Goji berries are used in traditional Chinese medicine as a sexual potency food. Taking the berry orally increases androgen levels in the blood, which increases energy levels. Goji has also traditionally been used for the treatment of infertility.
Goji Berries can be used in many ways. Like other dried fruits, goji berries can be added to smoothies, nuts and seeds, trail mix, muesli, breakfast cereals, porridge and yoghurt. Or, simply eat by the handful as they are, as a wonderful nutritious and healthy snack! Although they are best eaten in their raw state to maintain potency, they can also be used as an ingredient in cakes, cookies, snack bars etc or made into a delicious tea. We like to soak them in different juices. A 10-30g serving (a small handful) is recommended as a good daily intake, although you can eat as many as you like!
