Goji Berries
It is estimated that the Tibetan, Mongolian and Chinese people have been growing goji berries for over 5,000 years. The plant is very tenacious and can thrive almost anywhere. It can be grown in dry deserts, the tropics and can even tolerate harsh freezing winters. Most goji varieties are grown in Asia but believe it or not, they also grow wild here in America too. They can be found in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, Texas and New Mexico.
The goji berry is central to Chinese medicine and has long been associated with longevity and aging gracefully. It is believed that in China a man named Li Qing Yuen was documented to live from 1678 to 1930, which makes him 252 years old. His secret? He ate goji berries every day. It has also been discovered that in the Ningxia Province in China, where the majority of goji berries are grown, lives the highest concentration of centenarians (people who lived past 100 years old) in the whole country. Could be it from the goji berries that most certainly make up a portion of their daily diet?
This berry has an extraordinary nutrient complex. It contains 18 different amino acids and is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all 8 essential amino acids. It contains 20 or more trace minerals, such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B1, 2, 6, vitamin E and germanium, which has anti-cancer properties, a substance that is rarely found in foods. Goji berries contain more antioxidants than almost all other foods in the world, triple the amount that blueberries contain. Antioxidants are very important for healthy living, they protect our cells and tissues from the free radical damage we encounter in our every day lives.
Goji berries have long-chain polysaccharides, which act on improving the immune system. They are also comprised of nutrients that directly work to improve vision, digestion and build healthy blood. Goji berries contain essential fatty acids, anti-inflammatory and liver protecting nutrients and anti-aging sesquiterpenoids, which stimulate the pineal and pituitary gland therefore, increasing the body’s production of HGH (Human growth hormone). Decreased levels of HGH have long been associated with aging and deterioration because we produce less HGH as we age. Goji berries’ ability to help the body produce HGH naturally is so unique, it is the only food known to do that.
When buying them most likely you will find them in their dried from, unless you are picking them wild from a bush in your backyard. Make sure to purchase organic or wild crafted goji berries. You can find them at Whole Foods or online here at Sunfood. They are great additions to trail mix, on top of cereal, salads, soups or you can eat by themselves like raisins. I put them in my water bottle so they sweeten the water and so I can have a little snack every now and again. My newest favorite way to use goji berries is to put goji berry powdered extract in my morning ACV cocktail or coconut superfood smoothies (I buy it from Essential Living Foods).
Eat them any way you like and you take a step towards radient health and longevity!
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