The Health Benefits of Goji Berries And Its Nutrition Facts

Goji Berry is also known as Wolf Berries in China – are festive tiny red berries that have a sweet, slightly sour taste. Due to antioxidants and powerful medicinal properties, the health benefits of goji berries include anti-aging properties, treat the eye, blood sugar regulation, and boosting the immune system, among many others.

These berries are renowned worldwide for their exceptional quality, grown naturally in many Asian and Mediterranean regions. In Chinese legends, goji berries are a fruit eaten in the hope of living longer.

Botanically, this fruit is obtained from two closely related plants, first Lycium Chinese and second Lycium barbarum. These berries belong to the Solanaceae (nightshade) family that yields some fruits ranging from potatoes and tomatoes to eggplants.

Goji berry is considered both a fruit and medicine in China. It is loaded with Vitamin C, antioxidants, amino acids, and minerals. China’s love for this berry is centuries old. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recommends its consumption to increase liver and kidney capacity.

Nevertheless, the popularity of this berry has been fueled by global awareness of its benefits. Today, we eat it as a superfood, and not on the advice of TCM.

After all, what is the ‘Red Diamond’ rich in medicinal properties that can beat aging?

Red Diamond or Goji Berries Nutrition Facts

Goji berries are a great source of nutrients that offer plenty of vitamins and minerals such as:

• Protein
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Fiber
• Iron
• Sugar
• Antioxidants

Goji berries can be an excellent source of macronutrients, they contain 46% of carbohydrates, 16% of dietary fiber, 13% of protein, and 1.5% of fat as well as biological activity components, including polysaccharides, carotenoids, and phenolics.

Some studies reported that goji berries, in particular, are packed with a shortlist of riboflavin, thiamine, nicotinic acid, and other minerals such as copper, manganese, magnesium, and selenium.

Goji Berry Benefits

Sweet yet tart goji berries are a summer staple. But the benefits of goji berries beauties go well beyond their yummy taste. Goji berries offer many health benefits.

Packed with vitamins A and C

Just 5 tablespoons of dried goji berries have 13.6 mg or 15% of the daily value of vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as a powerful natural antioxidant, that may help heal wounds, counter inflammation, shorten the common cold, regenerate the skin, and reduce the formation of cancer-causing substances.

Goji berries are excellent sources of vitamin-A including zeaxanthin, in addition to the antioxidants mentioned above. zeaxanthin plays an important role in protecting lenses and retinas against damage. (study)

The research suggests that goji berries and their supplement increased blood antioxidant levels that play a role in aging and protect against the progression of macular (the central area of the retina) degeneration.

Further, Goji berries provide the health-promoting flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and a-carotene, which are responsible for protecting the health from the harmful effects and lung and oral cavity cancers.

High in fiber

Fiber is an essential nutrient for physical health.

Diets rich in fiber have been linked to improving metabolism, controlling blood sugar, promoting digestion, balancing weight, strengthening muscles, and other health benefits.

Not getting enough fiber can increase the risk of heart disease and digestive problems.

A fiber-rich diet may help you:

• Lowers Cholesterol Levels
• Control Blood Sugar Levels
• Weight Loss
• Promote Regular Bowel Movements
• May reduce the risk of colorectal cancer

For such, these tiny red fruits are high in fiber. 24 gm of raw Goji berries have almost 3.6 grams.

Promotes healthy skin

The essential beta-carotene component in goji berries is known for its ability to promote skin.

Beta-carotene also may help:

Maintain skin health
May protect the skin against UV radiation
Prevents eye diseases
Reduce skin irritation
Skin disorders

Promote eye health

According to promising research, goji berry has medicinal properties to prevent age-related eye diseases and loss of vision.

High in zeaxanthin, this antioxidant may enhance eye health to a great extent. It protects your lenses and the eye from UV light, oxidative stress, and free radicals.

Heart Health

The fiber present in goji berries is helpful in controlling the level of blood cholesterol present in the body, which helps in warding off heart diseases.

Goji berries are also rich in phytonutrients and pyridoxine, thiamin niacin, and riboflavin, etc.- that are effective in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the body.

Conclusion

This small oval berry is called ‘Red Diamond’. It is believed to have the power to beat age. It is now called a superfood all over the world.

Goji berry is considered both a fruit and medicine in China. China’s love for this berry is centuries old. It is packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, amino acids, and a dense protein value.

Research shows that the health benefits of goji berries seem to make you feel better, and especially for older adults.