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Top 6 Reasons You Should be Eating More Goji Berries
Photo credit: bigstock
Goji berries go way, way back to the earliest days of Chinese medicine, but many people, including many famous celebrities, can’t seem to stop talking about these tiny little wrinkly fruits!
Goji berries are found in Asian and European countries and are considered to be both a fruit and an herb. You can buy them in bulk all across America in almost every health food store. Right now they are still a bit expensive, but well worth the price when you consider all their health benefits.
These little berries have sometimes been referred to as “the fountain of youth” due to their high antioxidant levels; however, these little jewels aren’t for everyone. If you are taking blood thinners or if you are taking any type of diabetic medication, you should talk to your doctor first as you might have a negative reaction to these berries.
However, if you are like many Americans and you are looking to improve your health, just adding a handful or so of goji berries to your diet can work wonders. You can add them to just about anything, from smoothies to salads.
A raw goji berry is about the size of a raisin, more or less. They are sometimes called wolf berries, Chinese wolf berries, or even Tibetan goji. Goji berries are slightly sweet with an herb like flavor after you eat them. They have extremely tiny seeds that add a nice texture and provide you with fiber. Whether you eat them raw, or soak them in some hot water before you eat them, that choice is up to you, but no matter how you choose to consume them, there is no doubt that goji berries have a lot to offer in the way of nutrition.
Keep reading for the top 6 health benefits of eating these little sweet berries everyone is talking about.
1. Beautiful Skin
Goji berries are full of beta-carotene, which is well known for promoting healthy, beautiful skin.
2. Improved Immunity
Goji berries contain a compound called lyceum barbarum polysaccharides, which are well-known for improving and strengthening the immune system. They have similar chemical structures to compounds that are found in other immune strengthening plants such as maitake mushrooms, and Echinacea.
3. Anti-inflammatory Compounds
Goji berries also contain a powerful anti-inflammatory compound called beta sitosterol, which is proven to lower cholesterol, promote sexual health, and protect you from cardiovascular disease. Beta sitosterol has been used to treat many problems such as lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and fibromyalgia. This substance seems to lower cholesterol levels by limiting how much cholesterol can enter the body at any given time. This is great news for those who wish to lower their cholesterol levels naturally.
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Photo credit: bigstock
4. Eye Health
Zeaxanthin, a compound related to vitamin A that is well-known for protecting the retina of the eye, is found in high amounts in goji berries. In fact, these berries are the richest source of zeaxanthin on the planet. Goji berries can prevent macular degeneration, degeneration of the retina, and protect the body from free radicals, which destroy cells within the body and play an important role in many chronic diseases.
5. Encourages Muscle Growth
Goji berries have all 18 amino acids, including the 8 essential amino acids that the body cannot make itself. For meeting your daily protein requirements, you can’t beat goji berries!
6. Naturally Vitamin Rich
With more vitamin C than an orange, and more iron than a T-bone steak, more beta-carotene than a carrot, goji berries are a super source of vitamins packed into one tiny package! They are also a great way to get your B vitamins, such as thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin, along with a good dose of vitamin E. Read more about Vitamin B deficiency.
No matter how you eat them, goji berries are good for your body. Start adding raw, organic goji berries to your diet today and your body will thank you tomorrow. And the day after.
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