Goji Berries – Application, Effect and Studies

Goji berries combine almost all nutrients that are important to humans in food. In addition, there are some ingredients that are rarely found in the diet, especially in Europe. The Goji berry is, so to speak, the queen of the category Superfoods, that is, those foods that have an exceptionally high proportion of important nutrients and minerals.

It has been playing an important role in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 6000 years. It has an important place to prevent diseases by strengthening the life energy, qi, but also as a remedy. Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of goji berries in cell protection and immune defense, even in cancer or leukemia. In China, goji preparations are therefore used in parallel with chemotherapy, so that patients can get better treatment. The positive properties of Goji berries have been demonstrated in several studies.

The Goji berry: properties and dosage recommendations

Goji berries are originally from the Asian region and today are cultivated for the most part in the Ningxia Valley in China, from where they are dried or exported as juice all over the world. In Germany, the berry is also known as wolfberry or buckthorn berry.

Goji berries have a wide range of applications. In Chinese medicine, they have been valued for 6000 years, mainly because of their unusually high content of minerals and vitamins, which can not be found in the form of any other fruit. They are particularly good for the eyes, protecting by their antioxidant effect but also the whole body. They also strengthen the immune system and ensure a balanced intestinal flora. The Goji berry is also excellent for detoxifying the body. They are even given a protective effect against cancer.

Especially popular is the goji berry as a helper in the course of a diet. It supports the efforts of weight reduction by supplying vitamins, trace elements, and antioxidants that activate the metabolism. The fibers contained in the berry signal a feeling of saturation in the body. Goji berries are also suitable as a snack in the case of an imminent hot winter night. The frequent decline in performance during a diet counterbalances the goji berry with its large supply of amino acids, which strengthens the level of energy in the body.

Because of their characteristics, the Chinese have a life-prolonging effect. Besides its medicinal effects, the Goji berry is also predestined to represent an important building block in a balanced nutritional plan. What should be regularly consumed should taste as good as possible. As with many other fruits, there is no clear definition to describe the taste of the goji berry, because the fruit is available in different flavor varieties. The sweetest and tastiest berries come from China. Where there is a lot of sunshine in the United States, good berries can now be cultivated and harvested. The berries cultivated in our own garden are, however, usually not a taste remedy. Should a taste comparison be found, cherries and cranberries are often quoted. The taste portfolio ranges from sweet to sweet to sour. Consumers appreciate the sweet fruits for enriching muesli.

For the correct dosage of the goji berry, a look at the chosen product is indispensable, because the dosage instructions change depending on whether juice, capsules, or dried berries are consumed. The first rules are as follows:

• 10 to 30 grams of dried goji berries cover all day’s essential vitamins. In the form of the fruit, overdosing is hardly possible, because what the body can not absorb in vitamins, it separates again.
• 6 to 15 grams are considered as a guideline when using the goji berry as a cure.
• 6 to 12 grams are considered as a guideline for the preventive intake of goji berries.

The components of the Goji berry

First, the goji berry is characterized by a considerable amount of secondary plant substances and 19 different amino acids. In addition, it has a very high nutrient density and has more vitamin C than most citrus fruits. B vitamins and essential fatty acids, ie those which the body can not produce by itself, promote nervous function, which is also supported by the content of minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Important trace elements such as selenium and zinc as well as betaines, chaperones and carotenoids extend the spectrum of activity of the goji berry to the body.

In rough terms, a goji berry contains 42 percent sugar (31 percent of which are important polysaccharides), 21 percent fiber, 15.60 percent proteins, and 0.45 percent fat. It is definitely worth taking a close look at what is in a goji berry.

Lutein and zeaxanthin

The two carotenoids lutein in zeaxanthin has the same effect. On the one hand, they act as antioxidants. But more about that. On the other hand, they protect the eye from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the most common diseases in humans over 60. H. C. Chan et al. From the anatomical institute of the faculty of medicine of the University of Hong Kong showed in a study that the two substances can protect the optical nerve from further degeneration even with already existing AMD.

In addition to the two carotenoids mentioned above, goji berries contain a high dose of beta-carotene (approximately 8.55 μg / 100 g), which can be transformed into vitamin A in the body, where it also has a positive effect on the eye as well as on the skin.

Antioxidants

Goji berries contain high levels of antioxidants (approximately 1,000 times more than an orange). Through our way of life, our cells are regularly subjected to great oxidative stress. As such, an imbalance between oxidizing and reducing substances in the cell is referred to. Responsible for oxidative stress are often free radicals in the body, caused by heat, radiation and natural oxidation. Oxidative stress is also responsible for the aging process. Antioxidants restore the balance within the cells and thus reduce oxidative stress. The antioxidant effect of the Goji berry was demonstrated by SJ Wu of the Institute for Natural Products of the University of Kaohsiung.

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are also called complex sugars and are a concatenation of simple sugars. You have an immunomodulating effect by activating T-lymphocytes, which fight as part of the specific immune system cancer cells and viruses. Furthermore, polysaccharides are a source of energy for farm bacteria. They, therefore, contribute to a balanced intestinal flora.

Amino Acids

The goji berry contains 19 amino acids, including all 10 essential amino acids, ie those which can not be synthesized by the body itself and have to be supplied to it from the outside.

Trace Elements

The small red berry offers an impressive number of trace elements. Iron, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, selenium, aluminum, arsenic, barium, beryllium, lead, boron, cadmium, germanium, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, silver strontium, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, tin and Zirconium are included. 50 g dried goji berries are sufficient to completely cover the daily requirement of iron. Iron is an essential component in the body to allow oxygen transport through the blood.

Vitamins

Goji berries contain several vitamins in an unusually high dose: vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin B. Of particular interest here is vitamin E, since this is today only isolated in fruits to be found. Vitamin E, the most common form of tocopherol, is also an antioxidant and is needed to control the gonad glands. In addition to the goji berry, the almond is also considered a reliable vitamin E supplier.

Sesqiuterpenes

Sesquiterpene is a secondary plant which is used to develop its action on the pituitary gland in the human brain and stimulate the release of growth hormones. The production of growth hormones is also stimulated by the amino acids L-arginine and L-glutamine, which are also present in the berry, as well as by the trace element potassium.

Growth hormones are responsible for the growth of the muscle mass in the human body as well as in the development phase. In addition, they have a positive effect on the stress resistance of the body.

The goji berry is available in many forms

Anyone who is interested in berries after studying the information on the Goji berry is lucky because that is the most natural and natural form in which the goji berry is available: as a berry or dried berry. Who want to keep open both options, buy goji berries (ideally in organic quality) and can then consume pure – or alternatively dry them yourself in order to be sure to consume the best organic quality. If you like to eat the goji berry as a snack then you can make it part of your favorite menu, bake goji biscuits or in any other recipe process.

In addition, there are goji berries in these dosage forms:

Goji Juice can be purchased or self-pressed. Tastefully, Goji reminds juice of peach juice. Others compare it with vegetable juice. Tip for the summer: mixed with water is made from goji juice thirst-quenching juice scorch.

Goji capsules take account of the growing demand for food supplements. The goji berry extract is consumed in a concentrated capsule form which can be dosed without any problems. It strengthens the immune system, is a treat for stressed eyes, and is also used as an anti-aging capsule. Even with this variant, the taste needs to be habituated almost completely outside.

Goji Tea can be put on by yourself. Depending on the desired drinking temperature, dried berries or goji powder are dissolved in cold or hot water. Goji tea is also available in a finished tea form. There are increasingly also tea blends offered. A mixture of melissa, orange blossom, mango, and cinnamon are responsible for the state of mind and soul. A slow-moving effect is said to be a combination of cloves, hops, and star anise. If you are looking for a drinkable filmmaker, you can use the combination with Mate, Rotbusch, Lapacho, and Kolanuss.

Goji Powder has a decisive advantage: it does not taste goji berry, can be transported well, and is comparatively long-lasting. Goji powder is produced from harvested, dried, and ground berries. 10 grams daily are considered as a consumption recommendation. Goji powder can be used to brew teas, bake cakes, mix smoothies, enrich the muesli with vitamins and create juice sprinkles.

Goji Jam, If you feel like a sweet and healthy spread, goji jam is well advised. If you want to prepare them yourself, you must always use particularly sweet fruits during the production process. Against the bitter substances is not even sugar. Tip: Chinese goji berries are still the best choice. If you combine other fruits from the local garden, you will get a delicious bread spread with high vitamins.