Goji berries – properties, use, opinions. Goji berries in pregnancy [WE EXPLAIN]

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Goji berries are fruits that come from the Far East. It is in Asia that they are used in natural medicine as one of the basic remedies. Goji berries are more and more appreciated also in Europe – they are famous as an effective slimming agent.

Goji berry (goji seed) is the generally known name for the fruit of a shrub plant known as Chinese or common wolfberry. Goji berries are grown in temperate, subtropical climates, especially in China, Tibet and Mongolia. Goji berries are oblong in shape and orange in color – fresh berries should not be touched with your bare hand, because when touched they change their color to dark blue or even black.

Goji berry – composition

The goji berry is recognized by many nutritionists the healthiest food in the world. This is due to the fact that it contains as many as 19 amino acids, of which 8 are exogenous (the human body is not able to synthesize them on its own) and 21 elements valuable for health (including iron, calcium, zinc, copper, selenium). ). Goji berries are rich source vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, E and Cwhich contains 50 times more than citrus. In addition, they are full of powerful antioxidants including carotenoids, lycopene, lutein, and polysaccharides. In fact, polysaccharides make up 5-8% of the dried goji berries. They also contain high amounts of fiber and protein. A 100-gram serving of goji berries provides around 11 grams of protein, compared to just 1 gram of protein for every 100 grams of blueberries or raspberries.

Goji berries are often called food because they contain chemicals called phytochemicals produced by plants. The phytochemicals in goji berries include polysaccharides, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin. Polysaccharides are their basic component and an essential source of dietary fiber.

Beta-carotene is responsible for the orange-red pigment in goji berries. It is essential for the health of the eyes, bones, skin and cell development. The amount of beta-carotene in goji berries is one of the highest of all edible plants.

Are Polish berries also as healthy as goji berries? Here you will find the answer: Blueberries against obesity

Goji berries – health properties

Eye – Goji berries are believed to protect against eye diseases that appear with age. Due to the high content of antioxidants, especially zeaxanthin, they can counteract damage caused by the action UV radiation, free radicals and oxidative stress. Zeaxanthin deficiency can lead to the development of ADM, which is macular degenerative disease. Goji berries protect the retina of the eye from the ganglion cells responsible for glaucoma, which can lead to blindness.

Supports the immune system – in their composition, goji berries contain the LBP polysaccharide complex, which stimulates the immune system to function properly. In addition, this substance also has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Independent research among the elderly shows that thanks drinking a glass of juice every day with goji berries (for 30 days), seniors were less prone to various infections.

Goji berries contain large amounts of vitamins, especially A and C. They are essential for building the body’s immunity and preventing various diseases, from the common cold to cancer.

They show anti-cancer properties – high levels of antioxidants, including vitamin C, zeaxanthin and carotenoids contained in goji berries, are responsible for fighting cancer cells. Antioxidants slow cancer growth, reduce inflammation, and help remove harmful substances from the body. The use of goji berries during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it may not only alleviate the side effects associated with them, but also increase the effectiveness of their action.

They lower blood sugar levels – goji berries may be helpful in controlling the release of sugar into the blood. Research shows that goji berries balance insulin and blood glucose levels. In addition, animal studies show that goji berries reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic animals, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance. Another analysis showed a reduction in total cholesterol, lower levels of LDL and triglycerides. There was also a higher concentration of the so-called “Good cholesterol”, that is, the HDL fraction.

They increase testosterone levels – studies in rats indicate that goji berries increase the amount and movement of sperm, testosterone levels and improve sexual ability. Research suggests that goji berries may be an alternative to erectile dysfunction treatments.

They add energy and improve sleep – it has been observed in people who drank goji berry juice every day improving sleep, increasing energy, ability to concentrate, sports performance, mental acuity, and a sense of peace and contentment.

Goji berries for weight loss

People who are on a diet know goji berries very well. These are said to aid fat burning. However, it should be remembered that this is a marketing gimmick, because blueberries do not affect adipose tissue – they can only be an element supplementing a balanced diet and support the weight loss process. It should be remembered that goji berries are not a miracle slimming agent with weight-reducing properties.

Regular consumption of goji seeds may aid your metabolism. However, it should be remembered that the daily dose of goji berries, having a real impact on metabolic processes, is from 5 to 15 grams of this fruit.

See also how to lose weight cheaply and effectively.

Goji berries – how to eat?

Goji seeds can be eaten in two ways: the first and the most popular is dried goji berries, which can be purchased at Medonet Market. Intenson goji berries are a product that can be added to dishes and drinks. The high quality of the product was obtained thanks to the appropriate production process, which was controlled by nutritionists and food technologists. Goji berries are also available in the form of a powder that you can easily add to any dish. We recommend BIO goji berries in powder.

The second way is to use fresh goji berries, but those in Poland are hard to find. Regardless of the form in which blueberries are consumed, they provide a similar amount of nutrients, so if there is a moment of hesitation over fresh versus dried – your own preferences and availability should be the main criteria.

Goji berries can be eaten on their own as a snack. They are also a great addition to salads, rice or muesli. They can also be used to prepare an infusion for drinking by pouring boiling water over the fruit. Regular use of goji berries can bring noticeable results even after a month.

An alternative to goji berries

If you’re looking for other foods with similar nutritional value, try:

1. strawberries and blueberries,
2. paprika,
3. tropical fruit,
4. dark green vegetables,
5. pomegranate juice,
6. green tea.

Remember, if you like blueberries, remember about tapeworms! Check: Do you like blueberries? Watch out for tapeworm

Goji berries – contraindications

Goji berries can interact with some medications, including:

1. blood thinners,
2. medications for high blood pressure,
3. diabetes medications.

People taking any of these medications should speak to their doctor before adding goji berries to their diet.

Goji berries and pregnancy

There is not enough evidence that pregnant women can safely consume goji berries. Uterine contractions may be likely.

Goji berries – doctors’ opinions

Of course, the opinions of doctors regarding the health properties of goji berries are divided. Nevertheless, you can find a lot of interesting information about their valuable benefits in the medical literature. Many researchers conduct research into their properties and benefits. If you are not sure if you should use them, ask your doctor.

Where to buy goji berries?

Goji berries can be purchased at any grocery store. However, it is worth going to a herbal store – at such points it is quite often possible to choose the variety of these fruits. In grocery stores, blueberries are most often sold in plastic packages, in which case it is never certain under what conditions they were stored. In larger cities, you can sometimes find fresh goji berries, but these are rare situations – in this form they are much more difficult to store and additionally more expensive. Goji berries can be bought by weight in herbal shops, the price is about PLN 25-35 per kilogram in the case of dried fruit or – if you can find fresh – even about PLN 80-90 per kilogram.

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