Goji berries and everything you need to know about them

Chinese goji berries (wolfberry fruit) are a popular dietary supplement, which is credited with a variety of benefits: from aiding weight loss to preventing cancer and extending life by 5-7 years. You can hear about the miraculous plant from nutritionists, bloggers, famous singers and actors, and supporters of alternative medicine. In this article we will look at the beneficial properties and contraindications of goji berries, how to consume them, and tell you about the best recipes and supplements with medicinal fruits.

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What are goji berries

Goji berries are the fruit of the wolfberry (Berber wolfberry), a creeping subshrub that grows in Asia. The largest plantations are located in China and Tibet. For medicinal purposes, wolfberry is grown in Russia and some European countries. The plant is short, has brown, rough bark and long branches with thorns. The shrub blooms in June-August, the flowers are small. The berries ripen from July to October. They have a rich red color, oval shape and sizes from 5 to 15 mm, which can be seen in the photo. There are small seeds inside.

Ripe fruits have a pronounced sour or sweet-salty tart taste. Calorie content – 309 Kcal per 100 g.

Other variations of the name of goji berries: Lycium barbarum, Goji berries and the common one - Tibetan barberry, which the fruits received due to their external resemblance to this plant. From the point of view of botanists, this name is incorrect, since wolfberry and barberry belong to different genera and families.

There are also black goji berries, which grow only on wild bushes in the mountainous regions of Tibet and appear smaller. Scientific evidence confirms that they contain more nutrients than red fruits. Due to difficulties in procurement and transportation, black berries are not very common on the European market.

Chemical composition

The healing properties of goji berries are due to a unique combination of active components that mutually enhance each other's effects.

The composition of wolfberry fruits includes the following substances:

Amino acids. Berries contain 19 different amino acids, 8 of which are important for the body.
Polysaccharides. Rare compounds that bind to cell receptors provide antioxidant effects.
Vitamins. The concentration of ascorbic acid is 500 times higher than in citrus fruits. Goji berries also contain all B vitamins, vitamin E and beta-carotene.
Microelements. It contains a large amount of iron; in moderate concentrations there is calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other minerals. The fruits also contain very high levels of germanium, a compound that has antitumor properties.
Fatty acid. Omega-3, -6, -9 are in the optimal ratio, which is necessary to normalize the blood lipid profile and accelerate weight loss.
Plant fiber.

Goji berries: harm and benefit

Benefit:

1. They are a source of antioxidants and nutrients.

Goji berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, which help strengthen the body's immune system and protect it from inflammation caused by free radicals. Antioxidants are highly valued along with other beneficial berries, indicating their exceptional ability to reduce oxidative stress.

2. Fight cancer.

Goji berries are similar to other berries (such as blueberries and raspberries) in that they provide high levels of antioxidants, vitamin A and C. These two nutrients are key to building immunity and preventing the development of serious chronic diseases, including cancer.

3. Maintains eye health.

Berries are good for vision thanks to their high levels of antioxidants (especially zeaxanthin). They help stop damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, free radicals and other forms of oxidative stress.

4. Stabilize blood sugar levels.

Goji berries are especially beneficial for people with diabetes. They help control the release of sugar into the bloodstream. These berries exhibit significant hypoglycemic activity, which stimulates insulin production and increases sensitivity to glucose.

5. Improve reproductive function.

Goji berries increase sperm count and sperm viability. They also treat female infertility in patients with ovarian failure and inability to ovulate.

6. Helps reduce weight.

Goji berries are low in calories and rich in nutrients and can be included in your diet for weight loss. They have a low glycemic index, so consuming them reduces cravings for sweet foods. Eating low-glycemic foods helps speed up weight loss.

7. Normalize blood pressure levels.

The polysaccharides contained in goji berries are valued for their antihypertensive properties.

8. Help fight depression.

Goji berries are rich in vitamins B and C, and also contain manganese and fiber, all nutrients that boost energy levels.

9. Relieve pain.

Goji berries have anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain (including pain caused by arthritis).

10. Normalize metabolic processes in the body.

Goji berries can normalize metabolic processes. Thanks to them, the stomach produces additional amounts of enzymes, which allows the intestines to function better and absorb more nutrients.

11. Prevention of anemia (anemia).

Goji berries are rich in iron. The iron content in this product exceeds its content in buckwheat, apples and spinach.

12. Ease symptoms of PMS and menopause.

Experts recommend consuming goji berries during PMS and menopause, as they alleviate their symptoms. During menopause, berries eliminate swelling, improve mood and normalize high blood pressure.

13. Prevent and treat infertility.

Goji berries are effective in treating infertility. Useful nutrients restore reproductive function, improve ovarian function and normalize hormonal levels.

14. Maintain healthy skin.

Goji berries are rich in beta-carotene (a pigment found in plants and fruits), which helps keep skin healthy. An animal study conducted by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Sydney found that consuming the juice of these berries provided antioxidant activity that could protect against skin diseases and ultraviolet radiation.

15. Normalize natural pigmentation.

Goji berries are effective in treating hyperpigmentation. They are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene and amino acids that normalize skin color.

16. Stimulate hair growth.

Goji berries are rich in vitamin A, a nutrient known to improve blood circulation. With improved blood circulation in the scalp, hair growth is accelerated and hair loss is prevented.

17. Natural Viagra.

Goji berries can increase testosterone levels in men, thereby improving their sexual health. They may also work as a potential alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction.

18. Improve fertility.

Goji berries not only increase libido, but also have a positive effect on sperm quality.

Harm:

1. Negatively interact with warfarin.

Goji berries may cause complications in patients who regularly take blood thinning medications (such as Warfarin). Warfarin is used to thin blood clots that form due to deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism conditions.

2. May cause hypertension.

If consumed in excess, berries can disrupt blood pressure levels and lead to hypertension.

3. They provoke an allergic reaction.

Those who suffer from pollen allergies may face serious health problems such as sneezing, itchy skin, eyes, wheezing, nasal congestion, and hives. If such problems occur, you should consult a doctor immediately.

4. Sleep disturbance.

Goji berries should only be taken during the day. If consumed in the evening or before bed, they disrupt sleep patterns and can cause insomnia. The same effect is found with excessive consumption of berries.

5. Increase energy levels.

Excessive consumption of berries can affect energy levels. Although increased energy levels are beneficial to some extent, however, excessive energy levels can make a person hyperactive, restless and anxious.

6. Increase blood flow.

Goji berries can increase the speed of blood flow in the body. If they are consumed in excess, the blood flow rate goes beyond normal limits and can cause unfavorable conditions. One such condition is hemophilia, which causes bleeding in joints, muscles and internal organs.

7. Provoke dizziness.

Goji berries contain atropine (an anticholinergic drug). Excessive consumption of berries can lead to serious side effects such as dizziness, eye discomfort, blurred vision and hallucinations.

8. Threat of miscarriage.

Goji berries are found to be high in selenium, which can affect fetal development. Pregnant women should avoid eating these berries. Selenium is known to cause serious birth defects and often poisoning. Another component that can be harmful is betaine. If there is an excess of betaine in the body, the uterus begins to contract, and there is a risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

9. Digestive disorders.

Eating goji berries may cause stomach upset and mild digestive problems in people with weak digestive systems.

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Beneficial features

The fruits of Chinese wolfberry have a number of pharmacological effects:

increase the speed of metabolic reactions, promote calorie burning;
increase immunity - stimulate the production of immunoglobulins, normalize the leukocyte formula of the blood;
support the cardiovascular system - stabilize blood pressure, improve trophism and blood supply to the myocardium, strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
improve skin condition - the benefits of goji berries include a rejuvenating effect, protecting the epidermis from photoaging;
normalize glucose levels, reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood;
have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract - protect the liver from toxic damage, maintain healthy intestinal microflora;
reduce the risk of developing tumor diseases.

Do goji berries help you lose weight, watch this video:

For the female body

The healing properties of goji fruits include eliminating pain during menstruation, maintaining reproductive function, and normalizing the production of sex hormones. Berries also improve your psycho-emotional state and help cope with depression and sudden mood swings during PMS.

In women during menopause, berries relieve unwanted manifestations of menopausal syndrome and protect against uterine and ovarian cancer.

For the male body

In men, goji berries affect sexual function: they improve sperm quality and increase the number of active sperm, normalize libido, and enhance sensations during sexual intercourse.

The herbal product also affects the functioning of the adrenal glands and testicles, and stimulates the synthesis of testosterone. Goji berries are very useful for athletes and people involved in intense physical labor, as the fruits saturate the body with energy and increase endurance.

conclusions

If you prepare teas and dishes from goji berries and wisely limit yourself in food and exercise, then the weight loss effect will manifest itself. However, the fruits themselves do not have any fat-burning properties; it is just another advertised product, which is essentially no better than black currants, dried apricots, dried apples, prunes, blueberries and figs. So goji berries as an independent means for weight loss is a myth

, the proof is real reviews from people losing weight and doctors.

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Comments

Marina | 2017-01-06 17:05:15 If you play sports, then goji berries reduce appetite well, and therefore promote weight loss. I brew a drink with ginger and goji berries.
Genady |
2016-12-15 12:01:13 We gave my wife a bag of dried goji berries. We ate it so simply - it didn’t taste very good, we made tea - it’s not for everyone, for those who like fruit teas, we made lard with goji berries - not bad. I wouldn’t buy it on purpose - it’s expensive, and as I understand, after reading the article, the effect is like dried fruit.
Alice |
2016-09-05 14:54:09 I love goji berries, I make tea, it’s very tasty and healthy, I also add a few fresh mint leaves and dried apples. Reduces cravings for sweets.

Indications for use

Considering the beneficial properties of goji berries, nutritionists recommend their use as a dietary supplement for people with excess body weight. Fruits accelerate weight loss and normalize metabolism.

There are also a number of diseases that are treated with the help of wolfberry fruits:

cardiovascular pathology – arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, circulatory failure;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
gynecological diseases - algodismenorrhea, chronic inflammation of the uterus and appendages, infertility, ovarian dysfunction;
male diseases - prostatitis, prostate adenoma, impotence;
decreased visual acuity, dry conjunctiva;
neurological problems - insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression;
skin diseases - allergic rashes, psoriasis;
diabetes.

Goji can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer after permission from a doctor. The berries are also used to reduce the negative effects of chemotherapy.

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How to consume freshly squeezed juice?

Next, consider the instructions on the topic “how to properly take goji berries” in the form of juice.

To squeeze juice, you must use only fresh berries;
The product is very juicy, it is easy to squeeze out using regular gauze or a soft strainer;
The daily intake of freshly squeezed goji juice is 3 tablespoons with meals.

We also recommend: Why are pistachios so expensive?

The color of the finished drink is fiery orange, the smell is tart, slightly sweet. The composition is very concentrated, so drink it carefully.

The beneficial properties of the juice are as follows:

It slows down the natural aging of cells;
Increases immunity;
Triggers weight loss;
Improves brain activity, eliminates stress and tension;
Normalizes glucose;
The juice can be used as an antiseptic for treating external wounds;
It effectively reduces temperature;
Improves digestion.

Contraindications

The main limitation to taking the supplement is an allergic reaction to wolfberry fruits or to all red fruits and vegetables. Fresh goji berries have a mild laxative effect, so they should not be taken by patients with gastritis or gastric ulcers in the acute stage.

Pregnancy is not an absolute contraindication to taking the drug; the issue is resolved individually after consultation with a gynecologist. Berries are also not given to children under 3 years of age.

Women during breastfeeding are strictly prohibited from eating fruits, as they change the taste of milk and can provoke allergies in the child.

How to use and prepare tinctures and decoctions?

Next, we’ll look at how to properly consume goji berries for weight loss by regularly drinking special tinctures and decoctions.

The decoction is prepared in the same way as tea: a tablespoon of dried berries is poured into a glass of boiling water and infused until it cools completely. There is no need to boil the fruits. The finished decoction should be drunk within 24 hours.

You can also prepare a tincture. To prepare the tincture you will need good vodka in a volume of 0.5 liters, without impurities or additives. Pour it over 50 grams of raw material and leave it in a cool, dark place for 10 days. Drink 1 tablespoon per day with meals, preferably in the morning.

Release forms

The herbal supplement is available in different versions:

Dried goji berries. Natural dried fruits, taken independently or added to other dishes. Vitamin drinks and compotes can be prepared from whole fruits.
Powder. Crushed dried berries for oral administration. The product is added to porridges and salads, and used to brew healthy teas. The downside is the fine fraction of the powder, which is why it can irritate the mucous membranes of the pharynx and respiratory tract.
Berry juice. Concentrated liquid extract from the fruits of wolfberry is available in large volume bottles. The solution is taken in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach, dosing it in measuring spoons. The product contains sugar, which gives goji berry juice a pleasant taste. Minus - the juice can cause dyspeptic disorders.
Extract in capsules. The best release form, which contains a standardized berry extract. Thanks to the protective shell, the capsules do not irritate the stomach and do not cause side effects.

Can I eat fresh fruits?

There are many myths about how to eat goji berries for health, and in the first place is the story that they are poisonous when eaten fresh. This is complete nonsense! It’s just that fruits that are delivered to us from afar are most conveniently transported in dried form, which is why they most often end up on our table in this form.

If you have the opportunity to eat fresh or frozen berries, go for it. Brew tea, eat whole, add to morning porridge. The most important thing is to stick to the daily norm.

Goji Berry Recipes

Goji berries can be eaten raw or dried, but not everyone likes their taste. The following are various applications.

Cooking

Dried goji berries or powder from them are used as a dietary supplement, sprinkling porridge, cottage cheese or other dishes. The fruits add a pleasant flavor to foods. Berries can also be added to muffins and casseroles in place of other dried fruits. Before use, it is recommended to soak the fruits in hot water for 20-30 minutes.

Healthy marshmallow

To prepare marshmallows, take 0.5 kg of prunes and 100 g of goji, twist them in a meat grinder or grind them in a blender. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the mixture, make a tight “dough”, which is then rolled out between two sheets of parchment. Place the pastille in the oven for 1 hour (temperature 100-110 °C), then cool and cut into portions.

Nutrition bars

The bars are made from 50 g of goji berries, 100 g of dates and 100 g of any nuts. All components are ground until smooth in a blender, rolled into small sausages and left in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to harden.

Vitamin drinks

A smoothie with goji is of great benefit. To prepare it, take a glass of kefir, half a banana and seasonal berries. For one serving, just mix a small handful of fruits in a blender with all the ingredients.

You can take goji berries in the form of a properly brewed drink: pour 2 tablespoons of dried fruits with boiling water (1 liter) and leave for 1 hour. Then strain the infusion and add a spoonful of honey to improve the taste.

Berry tincture

You can prepare a liqueur from dry fruits: place 50 g of the plant product, 500 ml of vodka or alcohol diluted to 40° in a jar, close tightly, and leave for 7 days in a dark, cool place. Drink 1 teaspoon of goji berry tincture in the morning and evening.

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Goji berries in the fight against excess weight

Every third person on the planet dreams of getting rid of extra pounds, and many use goji berries for weight loss. We have already mentioned the calorie content of fresh fruits above (112 kcal per 100 g), but what about dry ones? They have a higher calorie content: 100 g of dry berries contain 253 kcal, plus the presence of fat. Why do nutritionists continue to recommend goji berries for weight loss? The answer is simple: nutrition. These exotic fruits quickly dull hunger and convert subcutaneous fat into energy. Metabolism is normalized, digestion and intestinal function are improved, appetite is reduced and toxins are removed from the body. How to take goji berries with benefit and without harm? There is nothing complicated about this, all the recommendations are quite simple.

It is necessary to control the dosage of berries, otherwise side effects may occur, such as insomnia. If the dosage is not exceeded, but sleep is disturbed, then it is not recommended to consume Himalayan fruits in the evening, but postpone the intake to the morning.

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Rules of application

Regardless of use, dried goji berries should be consumed correctly - no more than 45 g per day. Children can take 15 g of fruit (no more), but only after consultation with a pediatrician. Pregnant women are allowed to eat no more than 10-15 g.

According to the instructions of Tibetan healers, the intake of the herbal remedy should be divided into 2 times: in the morning - 1/3 of the daily portion, and the rest should be taken in the afternoon. At this time, the body most actively absorbs all the beneficial components of the plant.

It is not advisable to take goji berries after 18:00, as they can cause insomnia.

The course of taking dried fruits or capsules depends on the disease and the expected results. Patients with pathologies of the cardiovascular system are recommended to take supplements for 1-2 months, then take a break. When using berries for preventive purposes and for weight loss, the course can be extended to 6 months.

Goji berry tea: medicinal recipes

These exotic fruits taste very pleasant, slightly sour, vaguely reminiscent of raisins, so drinking tea with goji berries is a pleasure. We invite you to try drink recipes that are not only tasty, but will also help improve your health:

Mix a handful of goji berries with half a lemon, orange zest, a spoonful of honey, a few cloves, a pinch of ginger and pour two cups of boiling water. Infuse for half an hour and take for fatigue, heavy stress, a sedentary lifestyle, or simply as a warming and tonic drink.
How to drink goji berries with poor eyesight and hypertension? Simply add 15 g of Himalayan fruits to classic black tea and take two to three cups daily. This decoction is also very useful for high blood sugar.
To boost immunity and rejuvenate the body, pour a tablespoon of goji berries with a glass of boiling water and leave to steep overnight. In the morning, you should drink the resulting infusion and eat the soaked berries. If you do this regularly, your immune system will quickly return to normal, your blood pressure will stabilize, and your fatigue will go away.

Adverse reactions

The most common undesirable consequences from taking it:

Digestive disorders. After eating berries, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea occur. Symptoms may not be caused by the fruits themselves, but by additional preservatives in the composition, so when purchasing, you need to carefully look at the list of ingredients.
Insomnia. Herbal supplements give vivacity and energy, so goji berries can only be eaten before 6 pm.
Allergy. Occurs rarely, usually in patients prone to allergic reactions, in children. Manifested by urticaria, itching, and dyspeptic disorders.

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Goji berries

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Most buyers respond positively to the supplements. They note the pleasant taste and many uses of whole dried goji fruits in cooking. After taking herbal remedies, there was an improvement in well-being and psycho-emotional state, blood pressure normalized, and evening eye fatigue disappeared. Women write about improved skin quality, decreased appetite and faster weight loss after starting to take goji.

In negative reviews, buyers mainly complain about the high prices of drugs. And some users do not notice any positive changes in their health after a course of eating berries.

The most affordable ways to prepare healing tea

The method of preparing tea is very simple, does not take much time, its taste can be diversified using various ingredients and combinations:

Classic tea:
add a tablespoon of berries;
add a teaspoon of lemon juice;
the same amount of grated fresh ginger;
pour boiling water, cover with a lid, leave for 20-30 minutes. READY.
You need 15 grams of goji , half a teaspoon of green tea, half a teaspoon of fresh chopped ginger. Leave for 10-15 minutes. ENJOY.
Any tea to taste: dried dates, chamomile flowers, goji berries - all in the dosage of one teaspoon. The most delicious drink for good health is READY.
A pinch of dry hawthorn, a date, 5-10 raisins, 10 grams of goji. Pour boiling water over it; when the tea has cooled slightly, add a teaspoon of honey.
little green tea, a few lemon balm or mint leaves, 1 tablespoon of goji berries, and a slice of lemon into a tea mug. Cover with a lid, leave for 10-20 minutes, the aromatic drink is ready.
Green tea, three to five chrysanthemum flowers, 7-10 pieces of goji berries. All ingredients are poured with hot water (temperature no more than 80 degrees). Brew for 15-20 minutes.

Note! Under the influence of heat treatment, berries do not lose their beneficial properties.

Storage rules

Supplements are stored in their original packaging, in a dry place protected from sunlight at a temperature of no more than 25 °C. The shelf life of dried fruits is 2 years.

Goji berries, mistakenly called barberries, have many positive effects on the body. But you shouldn’t expect rapid weight loss in a few weeks, but the fruits are quite capable of strengthening the immune system, improving the functioning of internal organs, and making the skin healthy and radiant. Application options: add berries to your favorite dishes, prepare smoothies or tinctures. For those who do not want to waste time on homemade recipes, high-quality supplements with dry berries and goji extract are available.

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Beneficial properties of goji berries - what are they used for?

It’s no joke - goji berries contain 18 amino acids - this significantly exceeds their amount in royal jelly, as well as 22 minerals, 6 polysaccharides - in this sense, the goji berry is a record holder, the only one on Earth, a lot of vitamins - to compare, the content of vitamin C in Goji berries are five hundred times higher than the content in lemon.

The mere fact that goji berries contain Germanium - and this substance, which helps defeat cancer cells, is not found in any other plant on planet Earth - puts this amazing plant in honorable first place in its healing power.

You probably already guessed that goji berries, having a natural treasure unsurpassed in their volume, have a very beneficial effect on the human body, making it healthier . Goji berry is also a medicinal product , because in Tibetan medicine it is widely used to treat a variety of diseases.

This is interesting: The most famous centenarian in the history of mankind, the Chinese Li Jing-Yun, lived for 252 years as an energetic and healthy person. The secret of his longevity is simple - every day he ate goji berries, which extended the years of his life and relieved him of diseases.