Goji Berries 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Goji Berries – 100 g ($9.99), 50 g ($6.99), 25 g ($4.99)

Benefits:
Nutrients  As a surprisingly high-protein snack, dried goji berry benefits also offer a good dose of fiber, over 20 different vitamins and minerals, and of course, a wealth of antioxidants. Nutrition facts for goji berries can vary widely depending on the exact type of berry, how fresh they are and how they’re preserved. Different sources claim that goji berry benefits include varying degrees of nutrients. Below is a range of the vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals present in goji berries.

Here are goji berry nutrition facts for 28 grams of dried goji berries (five tablespoons), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

• Calories: 98
• Total Carbohydrate: 21.6 g
• Fiber: 3.6 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Sugar: 12.8 g
• Total Fat: 0.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: mg
• Sodium: 83.4 mg (4% DV*)
• Vitamin A: 7500 IU (250% DV)
• Vitamin C: 13.6 mg (15% DV)
• Iron: 1.9 mg (11% DV)
• Calcium: 53.2 mg (4% DV)

*Daily Value: Percentages are based on a diet of 2,000 calories a day.

Goji berries also contain:

• 18 amino acids (11 of which are essential)
• 5 sources of healthy, unsaturated fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid
• Phytochemicals, including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, lutein and polysaccharides

Even a small serving of this fruit is a good source of fiber, iron, and vitamins A and C. Iron is an essential mineral involved in oxygen transport and the production of healthy red blood cells. Meanwhile, both vitamins A and C play central roles in immune function and act as antioxidants in your body. Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals, preventing cell damage. Research suggests that increasing antioxidant intake may reduce inflammation and protect against chronic conditions like cancer. However, further research is still necessary to confirm this.

Like most other superfoods, goji berries are an excellent source of antioxidants (particularly vitamin C and A) that help boost the immune system and protect the body from high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, since they fight free radical damage.

One of the surprising goji berry benefits you might not know about is that each serving has about four grams of protein and 18 different amino acids, plus over 20 other trace minerals, including zinc, iron, phosphorus and riboflavin (vitamin B2). Gram for gram, goji berries offer more beta-carotene than carrots and more iron than soybeans and spinach, which makes them a great source to help stave off iron deficiency.

Immune, Flu  A boosted immune system and flu protection can go hand-in-hand. The vitamins in goji berries may be able to increase and support both. Early lab testing found goji berries help enhance the effectiveness of flu vaccinations in aged mice. This is important, because the flu vaccine doesn’t always provide adequate protection against the virus.

This study suggests that goji berries may prevent subsequent infections for older adults who’ve received a flu vaccine. But remember, goji berries aren’t a replacement protection against the flu. Be sure you and your family members get your flu shot every year.

Goji berries have long been used in traditional medicine to ward off infection. Research has also shown that it may help enhance immunity. Goji berries contain healthy antioxidants are known for their immune-boosting qualities and their ability to fight harmful free radicals and inflammation. Goji berries contain large amounts of vitamins A and C, similarly to other berries, including blueberries and raspberries. Vitamins A and C are vital for building immunity and preventing illnesses, ranging from the common cold to cancer.

Goji berries are similar to other berries — like blueberries and raspberries — in that they supply high levels of antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A. These are two nutrients key for building immunity and preventing common illnesses like a cold, plus more serious chronic diseases like cancer or neurodegenerative decline. Of the many antioxidants present in goji berries, carotenoids like zeaxanthin and precursors to vitamin C are the most extensively researched. High levels of these compounds give goji berries a reputation for battling cancerous cells, fighting tumor growth, decreasing inflammatory cytokine levels and detoxifying the body of harmful toxins.

Goji berry benefits also extend to other parts of the body thanks to polysaccharides and glycoconjugate compounds that promote unique bioactive immunomodulating, anti-tumor and antioxidant activities in the brain, liver, reproductive organs and digestive tract. Gojis are also reported to have anti-aging properties and show anti-tumor activities against various types of skin cancer cells by inhibiting tumor growth and inducing apoptosis. A 3 month 2012 study that involved 150 older adults demonstrated that goji berry supplements boosted immune function in response to a flu vaccine.

Weight Loss  Goji berries pack healthy energy into small servings. Their rich, sweet taste, along with their high-fiber content, can help you stay on track with eating healthy. Turn to them for a light snack to prevent overindulgence at mealtime. Add them in your yogurt or salad in the same way you would use raisins. Their nutrition value as a low-calorie, low-sugar option makes them a perfect substitute for other dried fruits with higher sugar content. A 1-ounce serving of goji berries has around 100 calories.

Vision, Eye Health
Studies have cited the high level of antioxidants in goji berries, especially zeaxanthin which help protect your lenses and retinas against damage. 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. Foods with healthy levels of antioxidants are often high in fiber and low in unhealthy fats. The same study also found that older adults who ate a daily dietary supplementation with goji berries for 90 days had less hypopigmentation and less drusen, or yellow deposits, in their eyes.

Promising research suggests that goji berries may enhance eye health and protect against disorders like macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition that can lead to vision loss. A study in 114 people with early macular degeneration showed that daily goji berry supplements improved the density of macular pigment, which may protect against the progression of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older adults.

The same antioxidants can also stop damage from:

• UV light
• free radicals
• oxidative stress.

One study reported in the American Academy of Optometry’s journal Optometry and Vision Science found that seniors who drank goji berry juice for 90 days increased zeaxanthin and other antioxidant levels significantly.

A second study reported in the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy shows goji berries protect the retina from the glaucoma, a condition that can lead to vision loss.

A study published in the American Academy of Optometry’s Optometry & Vision Science journal found that drinking goji berry juice daily as a dietary supplementation for 90 days increased plasma zeaxanthin and antioxidant levels significantly, which protect eyes from hypopigmentation and accumulation of oxidative stress compounds that can damage the macula.

Another study that involved people with early macular degeneration demonstrated that daily goji berry supplements helped improve the density of macular pigment, which may help guard against macular degeneration progressing.

Other studies show that the goji berry benefits eye health by protecting the retina from ganglion cells, meaning gojis’ antioxidants act as a natural treatment for glaucoma.

Skin  Goji berries contain beta-carotene, which is an essential plant phytochemical. Beta-carotene is known for its ability to promote healthy skin.

Beta-carotene is an ingredient used in skin creams to:

• improve skin health
• reduce skin irritation
• manage the effects of the sun
• manage the impact of aging

One study in mice found that when they drank 5 percent goji juice, it gave them enough antioxidants to protect against UV light damage and skin disorders.

Blood Sugar, Cholesterol
Sweet goji berries may be your new favorite food if you have a particular sweet tooth. Goji berries can help:

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

If you start regularly eating them, you should check your blood sugar more often. Research from 2015 shows that goji berries balance insulin and glucose levels in the blood. The same study linked goji berries to increased HDL levels in people with type 2 diabetes. HDL is known as good cholesterol. Goji berries also help control the release of sugar into the bloodstream, which prevents spikes and dips due to problems balancing glucose levels. Evidence shows that gojis exhibit significant hypoglycemic effects and insulin-sensitizing activity by increasing glucose responsiveness.

As part of a healthy diet, goji berries are one of the best choices for those with trouble balancing blood glucose levels and its effects.

Reducing sugar intake and increasing responsiveness to insulin are extremely important for the growing number of diabetes cases in the U.S. and other developed nations today, so goji berries make a much better snack alternative and sweetener to high sugar packaged goods and sugar additives.

Libido, Testosterone  Goji berries have a long history tied to sexual fertility. One study in rats showed that goji berries significantly:

• increased sperm quantity and movement
• shortened erection, capture, and ejaculation response
• improved sexual ability
• improved recovery of testosterone levels

Research suggests that goji berries may be an alternative to prescriptions for erectile dysfunction, like Viagra.

Cancer  High levels of antioxidants, including vitamin C, zeaxanthin, and carotenoids, are responsible for fighting cancer cells. Antioxidants slow tumor growth, reduce inflammation, and help to remove harmful substances from the body. Research on mice, reported in the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy, finds goji berries may inhibit tumor growth and boost the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

Energy, Mood  According to a study from the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, drinking goji berry juice regularly can help increase energy levels and moods and improve digestive health, too. Participants who drank goji juice for two weeks had improvements in terms of their feelings of “general well-being,” increased energy levels and better gastrointestinal function. Try having some gojis as a pre-workout snack.

Depression, Anxiety, Sleep  Goji berries may help to improve mood and quality of sleep. Research from 2016 that was done using rats shows goji berries can improve depression and anxiety-like behaviors. Another study in the United States, using humans, also found drinking goji berry juice could improve energy, mood, and digestive health. In this study, healthy adult participants consumed 120 milliliters of goji berry juice daily or a placebo drink for 14 days.

They recorded their feelings of wellbeing, neurological and psychological health, musculoskeletal symptoms, and digestive and cardiovascular complaints, as well as any adverse effects of the juice each day.

The researchers took measurements to record each participant’s blood pressure, body mass, weight, pulse, and vision before and after the 14 days of study. The group given the goji berry juice reported improved energy, ability to focus, enhanced athletic performance, mental acuity, and feelings of calmness and contentment by day 15. The study also showed improved quality of sleep in those who consumed the goji berry juice, and none experienced negative effects related to drinking the juice.

Liver Damage  They’re thought to be one of the best ingredients for promoting liver and kidney health, according to TCM, since goji berry benefits the body’s liver and kidney meridians to restore vitality, strength and well-being.

Goji berries have been used to treat liver disease in traditional Chinese medicine. Research indicates goji berries can help with managing liver health and preventing the progression of alcohol-induced fatty liver disease. Research has also found the goji berry can inhibit tumor growth.

Botanical Name. Lycium barbarum
English: Lycium berry, Lycium chinese
Also, known as: Wolf berry, Gojo, Goji berry, Little red berry, Gangro, Ganger
Habitat: Europe & Asia
Origin: China
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Fruit

General Information:
Lycium barbarum, is native to Asia & Europe. It is said that Goji berries have been used over 2000 years according to Chinese history. The berries are dark red or light red or yellow or orangish and sweet in taste. The upper layer of the berry is wrinkled, and the inner part is fleshy with seeds. Berries can be seen in different sizes of 0.8 cm to 2 cm depends upon crop grade. The Goji berries are edible raw and can be cooked. Goji berries are considered a highly nutritional superfood because it has a large number of trace minerals. They are known to be beneficial to nourish the skin and hair. People in China also believe that Goji berry can promote longer life. Goji, goji berry, or wolfberry is the sweet fruit of either Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense, two closely related species of boxthorn in the nightshade family, Solanaceae.

L. barbarum and L. chinense fruits are similar but can be distinguished by differences in taste and sugar content. Goji berries are primarily cultivated in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Xinjiang in China, where the unique climate and soil conditions contribute to their vibrant color and nutrient-rich profile. Both of these species are native to East Asia, and have been long used in traditional East Asian cuisine. In the United States, varieties of the genus, Lycium, are given the common names, desert-thorn and Berlandier’s wolfberry for the species, Lycium berlandieri.

The fruit has also been an ingredient in East Asian traditional medicine, namely traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean medicine since at least the 3rd century AD. In pharmacopeias, the fruit of the plant is called by the Latin name lycii fructus and the leaves are called herba lycii.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
Goji berries can be used several ways:
Raw: Primarily, eat them raw! A small handful a day will do.
Juice: Goji berries are also available in juice form.
Add to Soups: This has been a common use of goji berries in Chinese cuisine for thousands of years.
Tea: Goji berries can be used to brew in a tea. You can add a goji berries to a big glass of hot water and let sit and hydrate for 5 to 10 minutes. They become plump and juicy. You can drink the tea and eat the hydrated berries which are loaded with antioxidants.

There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. SO you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
Recommended daily amount: 10–30 grams (a small handful or 2–5 tbsp) dried goji berries, per day. These can be a snack or to add to other food.
Timing: For optimal effects, goji berries may be taken in the morning or before engaging in cognitively demanding tasks, as its potential to stabilize insulin and glucose levels that may enhance focus and energy throughout the day.