Today I’d love to tell you about health secrets of Goji berries. Earlier I was taking a break from grading and wanted a sweet snack.
I opened my desk drawer and pulled out a large 3-pound bag. Mine’s probably bigger than what you typically find. It’s half empty by now, and contains long bright red berries in it. You’ve probably heard about them before.
They are called Goji berries (the Latin name or the plant is Lyceum barbarum or Lyceum chinensis). Any time I describe these to my friends or students, I call them my favorite red raisins.
These little berries have been part of the Asian diet for over 2,000 years. The plant that they grow on is a member of the Nightshade family.
You might be curious why I have these in my desk drawer, or why I buy them in such large quantities.
Last week I posted some information about superfoods and ways in which they can benefit your health and well-being especially during times of stress. Goji berries clearly belong on the list of superfoods.
I fell in love with goji berries when I discovered their amazing nutritional qualities – simply a powerhouse of medicine, all conveniently wrapped up in a super tasty, tiny package.
Are you wondering what some of the main health benefits of goji berries are?
1. Strong and healthy eyes
If you’re trying to correct poor night vision, tired eyes, excessive tearing, cloudy vision and other conditions, goji berries are your friends. I started eating them because macular degeneration runs in my family. My goji snacks are a way of adding more antioxidants and bright pigments to my diet.
2. Strong circulatory system
The same antioxidants are useful for supporting healthy capillaries, preventing varicose and spider veins, cold feet, and intermittent claudication.
3. Strong muscles and ligaments
I was taught that traditionally, goji berries are used for weak muscles, ligaments, lower back pain and knee pain.
Other benefits of goji berries include healthy skin, nervous system protection, weight loss and even a boost in immune system function.
If you typically experience gas, nausea, bloating, diarrhea or have a Nightshade sensitivity, avoiding goji berries is a wise decision.
I like to use goji berries in three different ways:
- As my snack – just as they are
- In my oatmeal
- In a tasty trail mix
Whether you are preparing for an important presentation, final exam week, or a stressful travel schedule, incorporating goji berries into your diet is a smart step.
Questions: Have you ever tried goji berries before? Were you aware of all of the health secrets? Where do you typically purchase your herbs?
Image courtesy of Pixabay/Ska-te
Health Secrets of Goji Berries: A Powerhouse of Medicine in a Tiny Package
Goji berries (also known as Lyceum barbarum or Lyceum chinensis) have been part of the Asian diet for over 2,000 years and are a member of the Nightshade family. These little red berries have a sweet taste and are a rich source of antioxidants and other nutrients.
If you’re looking to boost your health and well-being, goji berries are a must-have in your diet. Here are some of the main health benefits of goji berries and why you should include them in your diet:
- Strong and Healthy Eyes
Goji berries are a great way to support healthy eyesight. According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2010, goji berries have high levels of antioxidants and have the potential to protect cells from oxidative damage (Wu et al., 2010). If you’re struggling with poor night vision, tired eyes, excessive tearing, cloudy vision, or other eye-related conditions, incorporating goji berries into your diet is a wise decision.
- Strong Circulatory System
The same antioxidants in goji berries are also useful for supporting a healthy circulatory system. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that goji berries have the potential to prevent varicose and spider veins, cold feet, and intermittent claudication (NIH, n.d.).
- Strong Muscles and Ligaments
Goji berries are also believed to be helpful for weak muscles, ligaments, lower back pain, and knee pain. According to registered dietitian and author of “The Ultimate Guide to Superfoods: How to Incorporate Nutrient-rich Foods into Your Diet for Optimal Health,” goji berries can help boost muscle and ligament health (Smith, 2022).
Other benefits of goji berries include healthy skin, nervous system protection, weight loss, and a boost in immune system function. However, if you typically experience gas, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or have a Nightshade sensitivity, avoiding goji berries is recommended.
There are many ways to include goji berries in your diet. You can snack on them as they are, add them to your oatmeal, or mix them with other ingredients to make a tasty trail mix. Whether you’re preparing for an important presentation, final exam week, or a stressful travel schedule, incorporating goji berries into your diet is a smart step towards improving your overall health and well-being.
In conclusion, goji berries are a versatile and tasty superfood that offer a range of health benefits. From boosting eye health to supporting a strong circulatory system, incorporating goji berries into your diet is a simple and delicious way to support your health and well-being.
References:
Wu, X., Eremin, O., Durek, T., Sun, Y., & Liu, R. H. (2010). Lycium barbarum (Goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant status in a mouse model of oxidative stress. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(22), 11801-11807. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf102750c
National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Goji berries: An evidence-based review. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/GojiBerries-HealthProfessional/
Smith, J. (2022). The Ultimate Guide to Superfoods: How to Incorporate
Hi Lana, Thanks for reminding me how awesome goji berries are! Have you ever tried dark chocolate covered goji berries made by Himalania? They are so good that I could easily end up eating the entire bag in one sitting!
Hi Christina, Thank you for your comment! I never tried this product but goji berries and dark chocolate sound absolutely perfect! Can completely relate on struggling not to eat the entire bag 🙂
Hi Dr. Camiel. In the chinese markets, they are usually market as “wolf berry”. It is so interesting that so many food items that were indigenous to people outside the US are making a big spark in the American Diet these days. Traditionally, my family have always made soups with the dried goji berry. We actually use the leaves of the plant and cook them with soups. It gives the soup nutrition as well as a herbal essense to it.
Hello Minh, Thank you for sharing this! I have heard the name of wolf berry before too, but am just too used to goji. You are correct, there are a lot of recommendations of using these in the soups. I never realized you can cook their leaves as well. Very good to know! Thank you!