Goji Berries - How Goji Berry Benefits Superhealth!
Goji berries are a supercharged superfruit with energy packed phytonutrients that have been known all over Asian culture for an estimated 5,000 years. Considered a "longevity fruit", the goji is believed to increase "chi" and life supporting energies.
Goji, also called Lycii berries in Traditional Chinese Medicine, are commonly used today with other tonic herbs in longevity formulas and herbal teas. Popularized by the legend of the long lived man, Li Qing Yuen (age 252), who was said to have consumed a daily tea of goji, reishi mushroom and ginseng.
These bright red-orange berries, we call "bliss berries", are also identified in Tibetan folklore for there ability to "uplift the spirits." American goji berry was also an important source of food for many Native American Indian tribes in the Southwest U.S.
Goji is a cross between a cranberry and a cherry with a mostly sweet, but slightly salty taste. Usually dried like raisins, they are easy to eat and a delicious addition to a smoothie recipe or shake elixir.
When decocted (simmered) in water, goji's are a great addition to herbal tea alchemy, working to harmonize other tonic herbs in tea formulas. As in traditional Chinese preparations, we use them with the major tonics, fo-ti root and medicinal mushrooms to create powerful tea blends.
Goji possesses unique and unmatched qualities that make it high on our top 10 superfoods list! For starters, it is the ONLY food in the world scientifically proven to increase Human Growth Hormone naturally! Increased levels of HGH have been linked to lowering the effects of aging significantly.
HGH is the master hormone regulator for the entire body. Goji contains high levels of sesquiterpenoids that have anti-inflammatory attributes. They increase the glandular production of HGH by activating the pineal and pituitary glands.
The amino acids, l-glutamine and l-arginine, are abundant in the goji fruit. It is known that these two aminos enhance human growth hormone levels, restoring a youthful state and energy.
Antioxidant Rich Food!
One of the most remarkable things about this super berry is its extremely high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are the bodies natural defense against free radicals that occur in the body due to the process of oxidation, poor diet and environmental pollutants.
So, in other words, the more antioxidant rich foods the better to counteract free radical damage, which has been identified with slowing the aging process and reducing cancer risk. The more antioxidants we eat in our diet the more we protect our DNA structure from free radical damage, toxins and radiation.
Contains the antioxidants great for the eyesight:
carotenoids
zeaxanthin
lutein
After camu camu berry and acai, goji is one of the best sources for antioxidants of all other fruits.
The ORAC scale, developed by the USDA, measures the antioxidants in foods:
Goji berries - 25,300
Blackberries - 2,036
Prunes - 5,700
Rasberries - 1,220
Raisins - 2,830
Blueberries - 2,400
Strawberries - 1,540
Not only does goji contain the antioxidants - vitamin A, C, E (rare in fruits), selenium, lycopene, and high amounts of beta-carotene, but also:
Iron - Popeye would not be eating spinach if he knew about this fruit which is 15 times higher in iron content.
21 trace minerals including copper, calcium, zinc phosphorus, germanium, selenium.
18 amino acids - contains ALL 8 life giving essential amino acids, plus more.
Complete protein rich food - with 13% protein, considerably high for a fruit.
Vit B1, B2, and B6 - B vitamins benefit the nervous system, mental ability and brain function.
Goji Berry Benefits - Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are long chain sugars that provide high levels of essential glyconutrients and beta glucan molecules needed by the body for B-cells, T-cells, and NK cell production, all of which support a healthy immune response.
Goji's have polysaccharides in abundance! The lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) in goji provide smoothness and youthfulness to the skin membranes, have anti-inflammatory qualities, regulate blood sugar and sooth digestion.
An Adaptogen
Goji berry is very adaptable to most climates around the world, growing in arid desert climates to moist tropical regions. It also happens to be an "adaptogen", like maca root and many of the Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs. Adaptogens help us adapt to stress and change in our daily lives, so that we can handle intense situations or environmental conditions, should they arise.
Eat goji dried by the handful, in trail mix with nuts and seeds (combines well with cacao), use in traditional herbal tea preparation, or soak and add to smoothies, drinks, and elixirs!
And don't forget to give them to your kids!... they will love them!
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