Health Benefits Of Goji Berry
In 1988, the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute conducted detailed chemical analysis and nutritional composition studies of the dried Goji Berry. The results were amazing, to say the very least.
In addition to being packed with vitamins B1 and B6 (which is needed by the body to convert food into energy), and vitamin E (which has never been found in fruit before), Goji Berries contain more protein than whole wheat, 18 amino acids (8 of them are essential for life), 21 trace minerals (including significant amounts of zinc, iron, copper, calcium, selenium, phosphorus and germanium – a very rare anti-cancer agent almost never found in food, more beta carotene than carrots, 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges, essential fatty acids (required for the production of hormones and smooth functioning of the brain and nervous system) and is the richest source of carotenoids (natural fat-soluble pigments that play a critical role in vitamin A activity in humans) of any food on the planet.
Just what does this mean for you?
• Goji Berries provide a general tonic for well-being; they help combat fatigue, and enhance immunity by increasing the number of T-cells in the body. More than 40 years of research have revealed Goji’s ability to affect immunity by commanding and controlling many of the body’s important defences. Chinese physicians use Goji polysaccharides to enhance and balance the activity of all classes of immune cells, including T-cells, cytotoxic T-cells, NK cells, lysozyme, and the immunoglobulins IgG and IgA.
• They contain Anti-oxidants like superoxide dismutase, which helps in preventing cancer, aging, and improves skin quality.
• The benefits of natural HGH (human growth hormone) are well documented, including such things as a more youthful appearance, reduction of body fat, sleeping better, increased libido, accelerated healing and improved memory. There are many who believe that consuming Goji Berries stimulates the release of HGH by the pituitary gland.
• Improvement of eye vision, prevention of night blindness. It’s used to fight chronic eye diseases like Cataract and Macular Degenerative Disease due to aging.
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol (LDL) level.
• Used in fighting chronic liver diseases, like hepatitis, and fatty liver. Helps to repair liver cells injury, improves liver detoxicating functions.
• Goji has a well-deserved reputation as a kidney supertonic, influencing both yin and yang energy.
• Improvement of sexual dysfunction, and enhancement of fertility. Goji Berry has long been used by Asian physicians for infertility in both men and women. In women, Goji is said to have an unmatched ability to restore jing (reproductive essence), and in men, Goji polysaccharides are used to support the extended life of sperm cells.
• Improvement of mental functions, helping in combating depressive illnesses.
• Improvement of the quality of sleep. Goji has long been used throughout Asia by people with occasional sleep disturbance. In several medical study groups with elderly people, nearly all individuals taking Goji Berries reported better quality of sleep.
• Goji’s are proving to be a good supplement for weight loss.
• Relieve of headache, dizziness, digestive discomfort and ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
• Goji is said to increase stamina and endurance.
• In traditional Chinese medicine some menopause issues have been ascribed to a deficiency of kidney yin; Goji continues to be the yin tonic of choice to support hormonal balance in women.
• As an adaptogen, Goji helps the body to adapt and to cope with stress by providing energy reserves to help the body handle just about any difficulty. It is said that constant consumption of Goji Berries brings a cheerful attitude; in Asia it is rightfully known as the “happy berry“.
• Goji’s betaine and master molecule polysaccharides have been used to restore and repair damaged DNA.
DNA is the most import chemical in the body because it carries the blueprint for all the traits inherited from ancestors.
DNA ensures that cells in the body that need replacement are faithfully reproduced as healthy, exact duplicates. Exposure to chemicals, pollutants, and free-radicals can cause its damage and breakage, leading to genetic mutations and illness.
In more details: IMPORTANT READING!
The Goji berries have been found to have extremely high levels of immune-stimulating polysaccharides. What are polysaccharides? Polysaccharides are very large, long-chain sugar molecules that are nourishment for macrophages (large white blood cells) in the gut wall. The macrophages are then transported to other immune cells, setting off a chain of defensive events in our bodies.
Top 10 Benefits of Polysaccharides:
1. Inhibit tumour growth
2. Prevent cancer
3. Neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation
4. Help normalize blood pressure
5. Help balance blood sugar
6. Combat autoimmune disease
7. Act as an anti-inflammatory
8. Balance immune function
9. Lower cholesterol and blood lipids
10. Increases calcium absorption
Because they are a rich source of both selenium and germanium, Goji Berries have been used in a number of clinical trials involving cancer patients. When given to patients undergoing chemotherapy, the berries conferred significant protection for the liver.
Here’s Why Goji Berry Is A Miracle Food:
• Contains 18 amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein including all eight that are essential for life.
• Contains 21 trace minerals, including germanium, an anti-cancer trace mineral rarely found in foods.
• Contains more protein than whole wheat (13 percent).
• Contains a complete spectrum of antioxidant carotenoids, including beta-carotene (a better source than even carrots!) and zeaxanthin (protects the eyes). Goji berries are the richest source of carotenoids of all known foods.
• Contains Vitamin C at 500 times higher levels than those found in oranges.
• Contains B-complex vitamins, necessary for converting food into energy.
• Contains Vitamin E (very rarely found in fruits, only in grains and seeds).
• Contains Beta-Sitosterol, an anti-inflammatory agent. Beta-Sitosterol also lowers cholesterol and has been used to treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement.
• Contains essential fatty acids, which are required for the body’s production of hormones and for the smooth functioning of the brain and nervous system.
• Contains Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure, alleviates menstrual discomfort, and has been used in the treatment of cervical cancer.
• Contains Solavetivone, a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound.
• Contains Physalin, a natural compound that is active against all major types of leukaemia. It has been shown to increase splenic natural killer cell activity in normal and tumour-bearing mice, with broad-spectrum anti-cancer effect. It has also been used as a treatment for hepatitis B.
• Contains Betaine, which is used by the liver to produce choline, a compound that calms nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle growth, and protects against fatty liver disease. Betaine also provides methyl groups in the body’s energy reactions and can help reduce levels of homocystine, a prime risk factor in heart disease. It also protects DNA.
Goji’s Life Saving Properties:
A laboratory procedure has been recently developed which measures the amount of antioxidants in the foods we eat. The procedure known as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) was developed by Dr. Guohua Cao at USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, USA. ORAC is one of the most
sensitive and reliable methods for measuring the ability of antioxidants to absorb free radicals. It is the only test to combine both time and degree of inhibition of free radicals.
According to Tufts University, the average person needs approximately 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day to have a significant impact on plasma and tissue antioxidant capacity. Three servings of fruits and vegetables per day provide approximately 1200 ORAC units. This means the average person is short by up to 3800 ORAC units each day, depending on the fruits and vegetables they are choosing and their body’s requirements.
To make up the difference, experts recommend supplementing our diet with high ORAC foods to become and stay healthy, and slow down the aging process caused by free radical damage.
Lycium Barbarum was rated the food with the highest antioxidant ability coming in at an amazing 25,300 ORAC units per 100 grams. Some of the other “competitors” are: vitamin E oil at 3,309, pomegranates at 3,037, blueberries 2,400, raspberries 1,220, spinach 1,260, broccoli 890, and oranges 750. No match!!
Suggested daily consumption:
The Tibetan Medical College, the pre-eminent authority on Tibetan Medicine and the business partner of Tibet Authentic, recommends a daily serving of 5 – 10 grams (about 20 – 40 berries) is sufficient to gain the benefits available. More berries can be eaten depending on individual needs. Remember, you can’t eat too many Goji berries. Your body will simply remove the excess, without any harmful effects.
Interestingly, it takes around 3 kilos of fresh berries to make 500 grams of dried berries.
Goji is easily digested as a dry-berry; rehydrated (soaked) to blend as a smoothie; used in soups, salads, morning cereals (hot or cold), and in baking such as muffins and cakes.
Nutritional Facts: 1/4 Cup Serving (Approx. 28 g) contains:
Calories 90, Fat 0g, Fibre 4g, Protein 4g, Carbs 24g, Sugars 12g, Vitamin A 180% (of the Recommended Daily Value), Vitamin C 30%, Calcium 9% and Iron 15%