Medical Benefits Of The Goji Berry Explained
Chris Channing
Whether referred to as Goji berries or Wolfberries, the wonder fruit has made quite an impact on the health market in recent years. The sweet taste and dark red color of the fruit makes it rather unlike may other fruits- and has quite a few astounding benefits for those who consume it. Many of today's Goji berries are coming from the north-western part of China, where the berries can be adequately maintained and developed by those who know the berries best. The berries can be found on market in other parts of the world, although they are not raised in quite the same stature.
One of the reasons the Goji berry is referred to as the "super" fruit is because it has so many different effects on the human body. It has been said that the Goji berry can cure eye diseases, as well as liver and kidney afflictions. But the benefit doesn't stop there- it has also been said that the Goji berry can indeed help reduce impact of the aging process. Chinese studies have been conducted to see if this were true, and results have stated that Goji berries have indeed been proven to have some anti-aging benefits. As a result, many Chinese can be seen consuming the Goji berry on a regular basis, as it keeps them healthy and younger looking as a result.
The anti-aging effect of goji berries is due to its high content of anti-oxidant. The goji berry was rated the food with the highest antioxidant ability on the ORAC scale coming in at an amazing 3,472 ORAC units. The ORAC scale is a standardized test used by the US Department of Agriculture to measure the total antioxidant level in foods. ORAC stands for "Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity," and the measurement is expressed as "ORAC units per 100 grams" of a given food.
Recent years people all over the world have discovered many benefits of goji berry. In July 2006 Time Magazine called the goji berry the "Breakout Superfruit of the Year". Its popularity and consumption have been increasing all the time in Western countries such as USA, Japan, Canada and Europe et. Many published studies discussed the benefits of goji berries, including its antioxidant properties etc.
Luckily for those who consume the Goji berry, there are many different types of vitamins and minerals in the Goji berry. Examples include vitamin c, selenium, potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, riboflavin, and many others. Consuming these vitamins on a regular basis is highly recommended.
The goji berry contains unique polysaccharides (natural complex carbohydrates) that exhibit powerful anti-cancer properties. A study in 2001 showed that goji berries polysaccharides inhibited the growth of human leukemia cells. Another study in 1994 showed that goji berry polysaccharides combined with a standard cancer drug LAK/IL-2, was 254% (2.5 times) more effective at reducing tumors than using the standard cancer drug by itself.
Goji berries are used in traditional Chinese medicine as a sexual potency food. Taking the berry orally increases androgen levels in the blood, which increases energy levels. Goji has also traditionally been used for the treatment of infertility.
Goji Berries can be used in many ways. Like other dried fruits, goji berries can be added to smoothies, nuts and seeds, trail mix, muesli, breakfast cereals, porridge and yoghurt. Or, simply eat by the handful as they are, as a wonderful nutritious and healthy snack! Although they are best eaten in their raw state to maintain potency, they can also be used as an ingredient in cakes, cookies, snack bars etc or made into a delicious tea. We like to soak them in different juices. A 10-30g serving (a small handful) is recommended as a good daily intake, although you can eat as many as you like!
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