Healthy Facts About the Goji Berry

Their history as a medicinal plant has roots in ancient China. Many people use goji berries to treat eye, liver, and kidney issues.
Also known as wolfberries, these festive red berries have a sweet, slightly sour taste. They often come in dried form, like raisins.

Nutritional information

Goji berries are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including:

  • vitamin C;
  • fiber;
  • iron;
  • vitamin A;
  • zinc;
  • antioxidants;

Goji berry health benefits

Immunity

These berries contain all eight essential amino acids. A 1-ounce serving provides nearly 10 percentTrusted Source of your daily value for protein. For fruit, this is a surprising amount of protein.
Due to the higher fiber content or complex carbs in goji berries, your blood sugar will raise more slowly, reducing your risk for a sugar crash afterward, due to the high content of vitamin C.

Antioxidants for eyes and skin

StudiesTrusted Source have cited the high level of antioxidants in goji berries, especially zeaxanthin. It’s the zeaxanthin that gives goji berries, saffron, and bell peppers their bright color.
Antioxidants protect cells against breaking down when they’re exposed to elements such as smoke and radiation. What’s more, foods with healthy levels of antioxidants are often high in fiber and low in unhealthy fats.

Blood sugar

Goji berries can help:

  • potentially lower blood sugar;
  • improve sugar tolerance;
  • alleviate insulin resistance;
  • improve and recover cells that help produce insulin.

Boost Energy Levels


Consuming concentrated goji berry extract or juice has been linked to improved energy and feelings of overall well-being.
It's thought that goji berry extract could enhance the creation of muscle and liver glycogen, a storage form of glucose that helps you maintain physical activity.
It may also speed up the clearance of blood urea nitrogen, a waste product body produces after strenuous exercise.

Goji berries are packed with many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
They're associated with many health benefits, including improving blood sugar control, helping with weight loss, fighting aging and protecting against cancer.
Most of the benefits also seem associated with concentrated juice or purified extracts, both of which have higher levels of active compounds than you would get from fresh or dried goji berries.
Overall, it makes sense to include them as part of an overall healthy diet involving a range of other fruits and vegetables.

 

 

 

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