Goji berries are one of the most nutritious and healing superfoods on the planet. Known for their sweet and sour taste, these small, red-orange berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. But what are the real health benefits of goji berries? In this post, we’ll dive into the amazing healing powers of these tiny berried and discuss why you should consider adding them to your diet. We’ll look at the nutritional benefits, the potential health benefits, and ways to incorporate them into your diet. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of the power of goji berries and why they’re an essential part of any healthy diet.
Goji Berries Nutrition Facts and Calories Chart
Goji berries are highly nutritious and contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A single 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of goji berries contains several important vitamins and minerals, including: Vitamin A: 25% of the RDI. Vitamin C: 11% of the RDI. Iron: 11% of the RDI. Vitamin B2: 11% of the RDI. Zinc: 10% of the RDI. Selenium: 6% of the RDI. In addition to these nutrients, goji berries are also a good source of fiber and protein. They contain no cholesterol and are low in calories – just 28 calories per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving. Goji berries also contain a variety of powerful antioxidants, such as polysaccharides, carotenoids, and flavonoids. These compounds can help protect the cells in your body from damage caused by free radicals. Nutritional value per 100 g goji berries:
- Biotin: 0.7 μg
- Calcium: 55 mg
- Carbohydrates (Carbs): 13.8 g
- Chloride: 37 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Choline: 24.3 mg
- Chromium: 0.3 μg
- Copper: 0.3 mg
- Dietary Fiber: 4.2 g
- Energy (Calories): 80 kcal
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Iodine: 0.1 μg
- Iron: 0.9 mg
- Magnesium: 56 mg
- Manganese: 0.2 mg
- Molybdenum: 0.1 μg
- Pantothenic Acid: 0.3 mg
- Phosphorus: 81 mg
- Potassium: 329 mg
- Protein: 4 g
- Saturated fat: 0.1 g
- Selenium: 0.2 μg
- Sodium: 11 mg
- Sugars: 7.4 g
- Vitamin A: 0.2 μg
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 0.7 mg
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): 0.3 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B9 (Folate / Folic Acid): 27 μg
- Vitamin B12: 0 μg
- Vitamin C: 10 mg
- Vitamin D: 0 μg
- Vitamin E: 0.8 mg
- Vitamin K: 0.1 μg
- Water: 10.8 g
- Zinc: 0.2 mg
Goji Berries In India
These are good tasting, sweet, reddish dried berries from Tibet and China. Bacche di gojis can be eaten whole alone and can be used in cooking. Goji berry is a deep-red, dried fruit about the same size as a raisin, but with a different taste. The berries have a slight chewy consistency and taste like a mixture of cherries and cranberries, without the sweetness of raisins.
- Scientific Binomial: Lycium barbarum
- Common English: Chinese wolfberry / Chinese boxthorn / Himalayan goji / Tibetan goji / mede berry / barbary matrimony vine / Duke of Argyll’s tea tree / Duke of Argyll’s tea plant / red medlar / matrimony vine
- Ayurvedic
- Unani: Chirchataa / Chirchitaa / Chirchitta
- Sanskrit
- Hindi / Urdu: Murali / Kheechar Chirchataa
- Bengali
- Marathi
- Telugu
- Tamil
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Oriya
- Punjabi / Sindhi
- Assamese
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Manipuri
- Dogri
- Bhojpuri
Home Remedies
Goji berries are rich source of carotenoids, amino acids, plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are considered helpful for blurred and poor vision. Many people use goji berries like raisins, mixed into cereal or added to trail mix. Goji is also available as an orange-red, sweet, rich juice with fruity, tomato-like flavors, making it a novel ingredient and color for blending with more ordinary juices. In specialty stores and on Internet sites, mostly find diluted juice products in which goji has been combined with at least one other fruit juice, such as apple or grape.
- Carotenoids protect against cancer, including prostate, breast, cervical, ovarian, lung, gastrointestinal, and pancreatic cancers.
- Antioxidant properties protect the cells and all body systems from damage and destruction. The high concentration of zeaxanthin in the berries makes it a good dietary source of this carotenoid.
- Chinese wolfberry is very helpful in the treatment of infertility, eye health, weight loss, better sleep, memory enhancement, accelerated healing, night vision, youthful appearance, libido and menopause.
- The dried fruit and root bark reduce cholesterol level by preventing its absorption in gastrointestinal tract. A constituent of the root bark, kukoamine exhibits cholesterol lowering, antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic effects.
- Goji has become more popular in the last few years due to its public acceptance as a functional food with highly advantageous nutritive and antioxidant properties. It is touted as being able to improve well being and protect against cancer and other serious diseases. Most investigation with goji has been conducted in China.
Healthy Recipes
Explore the endless possibilities of incorporating goji berries into your culinary creations and savor the health benefits with every bite. From breakfast bowls to decadent desserts, these recipes are sure to delight your taste buds and nourish your body. Traditional recipes featuring goji berries are often found in Chinese cuisine, where these nutritious berries have been used for centuries both for their flavor and their purported health benefits.
1. Goji Berry Smoothie Bowl
Start your day on a refreshing note with a vibrant goji berry smoothie bowl. Blend frozen berries, banana, spinach, and a handful of goji berries with your favorite plant-based milk until smooth. Top with fresh fruit slices, granola, and a sprinkle of additional goji berries for a nutritious and satisfying breakfast treat.
2. Quinoa Salad with Greens
Whip up a hearty and wholesome quinoa salad featuring the goodness of leafy greens. Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool. Toss with chopped kale or spinach, cucumber, avocado, and a handful of goji berries. Drizzle with a tangy vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, and honey for a nutritious meal bursting with flavor.
3. Juice
Blend fresh or dried goji berries with water until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove pulp, if desired. Sweeten to taste with honey or other natural sweeteners.
4. Goji Berry Trail Mix
Create your own energizing and nutrient-packed trail mix with a generous serving of goji berries. Combine raw nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and goji berries in a bowl. Mix well and portion into individual snack bags for a convenient and satisfying on-the-go treat. Perfect for hiking, road trips, or midday munching.
5. Baked Salmon with Goji Berry Glaze
Elevate your dinner table with a succulent baked salmon glazed with a sweet and tangy goji berry sauce. Combine goji berries, balsamic vinegar, honey, and garlic in a saucepan. Simmer until the berries soften and the mixture thickens. Brush the glaze over salmon fillets and bake until cooked through. Serve with steamed vegetables or quinoa for a nutritious and flavorful meal.
6. Goji Berry Chia Pudding
Indulge in a guilt-free dessert or snack with creamy goji berry chia pudding. Combine chia seeds, your choice of milk, and a dash of maple syrup in a jar. Stir well and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to thicken. Before serving, top with a dollop of yogurt, fresh berries, and a sprinkling of goji berries for a delightful and nutritious treat.
7. Gou Qi Ji Tang
This traditional Chinese soup combines chicken, goji berries, and other herbs and spices to create a nourishing and flavorful dish. The sweetness of the goji berries complements the savory chicken broth, creating a balanced and comforting soup that is believed to promote good health, especially during the colder months.
8. Steamed Goji Berry and Red Date Cake (Gou Qi Zao Gao)
Goji berries and red dates are often used together in Chinese cooking for their complementary flavors and health benefits. In this traditional recipe, the berries and dates are steamed together with glutinous rice flour, creating a dense and chewy cake that is sweet, nutritious, and perfect for enjoying as a snack or dessert.
9. Goji Berry and Pork Stir-Fry (Gou Qi Zhu Rou Chao)
In this savory dish, tender strips of pork are stir-fried with goji berries, along with other vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and onions. The goji berries add a subtle sweetness to the dish while also providing a nutritional boost. This stir-fry is often served over steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.
10. Goji Berry Congee (Gou Qi Zhou)
People often add goji berries to congee, a traditional Chinese breakfast dish made with rice porridge, for their flavor and health properties. They simmer the berries with rice and water until the mixture is thick and creamy, creating a nourishing and comforting porridge that is often enjoyed with savory side dishes.
11. Goji Berry Tea (Gou Qi Cha)
In addition to being used in cooking, goji berries are also commonly used to make tea in Chinese culture. To make goji berry tea, simply steep dried goji berries in hot water for several minutes until the water takes on a rich, reddish hue. The resulting tea is sweet and fragrant, with a subtle tartness from the berries.
Side Effects and Precautions
Avoid buying bright red berries that may have been treated with sulfite preservatives. Use with caution in people taking warfarin. Cases of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis after goji berry consumption, have been reported. Sensitivities to nuts, tomato, peach and Artemisia appear to be common in people sensitive to goji berries. The fruit is likely to be safe when taken in typical dietary doses; however, the safety of higher doses is unknown.
FAQs.
Q. Can Goji berries increase your height?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Goji berries can increase height. However, they are rich in nutrients that support overall health and may contribute to a balanced diet.
Q. How long do dried goji berries last?
Dried goji berries can last for up to 12 months if stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
Q. Can Goji Berry help with weight loss?
Goji berries are low in calories and high in fiber, which can help promote feelings of fullness and support weight loss when consumed as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Q. Are goji berries self-pollinating?
Goji berry plants are not self-pollinating. They require cross-pollination by insects or wind to produce fruit.
Q. What is black goji berry good for?
Black goji berries, like their red counterparts, are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that may support overall health. They are particularly known for their high anthocyanin content, which may offer various health benefits.
Q. What does goji berry taste like?
Sweet and slightly tangy taste with a texture similar to raisins or dried cranberries.
Q. Are goji berries good for male fertility?
Goji berries may have positive effects on male fertility due to their antioxidant content, which can help reduce oxidative stress and improve sperm quality. However, more research is needed in this area.
Q. How do you use goji berry powder placed in tea?
Simply add a teaspoon or desired amount of powder to hot water and steep for a few minutes. You can also mix it with other tea blends for added flavor and nutritional benefits.