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What are the superfruits and what can they do for you? Goji Berry
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The superfruit revolution has begun. Superfruits are relatively new to our additions to our diet here in America. They are, for the most part, small fruits with some amazing claims as to their health benefits and nutritional content. Since they are relatively new there have been few clinical trials on which to found these claims. Please join me in my superfruit series as I explore each superfruit, its breakdown, contents and uses.
What is the goji berry?
The bright orange to red goji berry is grown in mainly in Tibet. There is some debate linking the goji berry and wolfberry which, although the same species may come from two different places. China and Mongolia are thought to be home to the wolfberry, while “goji” has been specifically linked to the berry in Tibet (a part of China). The Tibetan goji alone is thought to have over 40 species to choose from. The inside of this colorful berry is laden with seeds. Berries are not picked but shaken from the trees onto mats where they are left to dry before packaging. Touching the berries before packaging and or drying is said to cause oxidation, turning the goji black.
Where did it come from?
According to goji legend, use of the berry stretches back over 3000 years. It is said that Tibetan monks who drank from a well surrounding goji berry vines found longevity by drinking the water into which goji berries fell at random. The monks then spread the word through travelers, creating quite a buzz about the new anti-aging miracle. Legend further tells of Li Qing Yuen who lived for 252 years (1678 to 1930) on a diet which consisted mainly of goji berries. Of course, these ARE just legends. The true source may or may not be quite as intriguing.
How are they consumed?
The most popular form of goji berry consumption in America is juice. Goji berry is also eaten plain, made into a tea and added to desserts or other dishes. Asians use goji berries as an addition to their rice and to make traditional Chinese medicines.
Goji berry nutritional information
Goji berries seem to explode with nutritional value. They have at least18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, protein, and are a truly rich source of carotenoids. Of the 21 trace minerals one, germanium, is of particular interest for fighting cancer. Vitamins contained include vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. As with any product, though, it is wise to watch the processing and labeling to make sure that you are getting the full benefit, as nutrients can vary with growing environment and processing. As with any supplement you should check with your doctor before consuming goji, as it could interact with certain anticoagulants (blood-thinners).
Goji berry uses
Aside from its anti-aging uses, goji berries recognized for quite a few other uses as well. The berries have been used to protect the liver and kidneys, help eyesight, improve circulation, bolster immunity, soothe skin problems, and to help with anxiety and sleeplessness. Although not all of these uses have been proven via clinical studies, there are some studies that seem to have a positive bearing on the use of goji berries overall.
Studies
A study in Nutrition Research measured antioxidant levels of 50 healthy Chinese participants ages 55 to 72 and indicated that use beyond 30 days could help prevent or reduce free radical-related conditions. (1) A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine seemed to indicate that use of goji juice seemed to indicate that use of goji juice 14 days and beyond increased feelings of general well-being and improved neurologic/psychologic performance and gastrointestinal function.(2)
Interested in superfruit? You can aslo check out my article on the Acai.
References
1. Nutr Res. 2009 Jan;29(1):19-25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19185773?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
2. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 May;14(4):403-12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18447631?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
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