Goji
berries are a deceptive little fruit. When fresh, they wear the
disguise of slightly elongated cherry tomatoes. When dried, they look
like pellet-shaped raisins that somebody has dyed for the Chinese New
Year. Despite their strange, otherworldly appearance and even stranger
taste-- not to mention the alternate title “wolfberry”, which hardly
sounds hospitable or appetizing—certain health experts, and, more
recently, celebs like Madonna and Oprah, have recently been championing
the belief that that goji berries posses an almost magical ability to
rejuvenate the body, both outside and in.
Of course, the magic of goji berries is something that ancient Asian cultures have known about for thousands of years. Purportedly first discovered by the Himalayans, believed by some to be the first natural healers, word of the berry’s restorative powers spread to herbalists in India, Tibet, and China, where it was used to combat a wide range of ailments and to increase life span.
The slew of health benefits assigned to this little berry is, frankly, astounding. It has been claimed to help prevent cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, treat diabetes and high blood pressure; improve eyesight, help insomnia and fatigue; support kidney function, boost your immune system, and promote weight loss. Studies that make these claims are in various stages—it’s sometimes hard to tell with these things how much credibility to assign them.
One thing is for sure though: goji is GREAT for your skin. Ancient healers who used the berry for longevity were certainly onto something: Goji berries are packed with all of the essential antioxidants—some say more than any “superfood”-- which slow the aging process by fighting free radicals that damage cells and DNA and impair the body’s ability to repair itself. It’s also rich in l-glutamine and I-arginine, two amino acids that play a vital role in generating protein, one of the key building blocks of skin, hair, and nails that keeps them looking healthy and beautiful. The berries contain Vitamin A-rich compounds, which also have anti-aging benefits, and bioflavonoids that help the body absorb nutrients like Vitamin C that leave the skin healthy and happy. The berry itself, some sources claim, is the third richest source of Vitamin C on the planet: 500 times more of it per gram than oranges! Polysaccharides discovered in the Goji berry also promote production of human growth hormone in the body, which helps repair skin cells-- and build muscle for those looking to get fit for resort season.
You don’t have to scale the Himalayas to get yourself some Goji. Big brands are incorporating it into lotions, body mists, and age defense serums. But you can also buy dried goji berries at your local health food store; if you can get used to the taste, they’re a great snack food! Try a strawberry goji berry smoothie or a fresh goji power soup. Or if you’re really ambitious consider whipping up some goji berry cheesecake for your next romantic night in with that special someone. Did you know goji berries are rumored to be a strong sexual tonic? Those wily things…
Of course, the magic of goji berries is something that ancient Asian cultures have known about for thousands of years. Purportedly first discovered by the Himalayans, believed by some to be the first natural healers, word of the berry’s restorative powers spread to herbalists in India, Tibet, and China, where it was used to combat a wide range of ailments and to increase life span.
The slew of health benefits assigned to this little berry is, frankly, astounding. It has been claimed to help prevent cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, treat diabetes and high blood pressure; improve eyesight, help insomnia and fatigue; support kidney function, boost your immune system, and promote weight loss. Studies that make these claims are in various stages—it’s sometimes hard to tell with these things how much credibility to assign them.
One thing is for sure though: goji is GREAT for your skin. Ancient healers who used the berry for longevity were certainly onto something: Goji berries are packed with all of the essential antioxidants—some say more than any “superfood”-- which slow the aging process by fighting free radicals that damage cells and DNA and impair the body’s ability to repair itself. It’s also rich in l-glutamine and I-arginine, two amino acids that play a vital role in generating protein, one of the key building blocks of skin, hair, and nails that keeps them looking healthy and beautiful. The berries contain Vitamin A-rich compounds, which also have anti-aging benefits, and bioflavonoids that help the body absorb nutrients like Vitamin C that leave the skin healthy and happy. The berry itself, some sources claim, is the third richest source of Vitamin C on the planet: 500 times more of it per gram than oranges! Polysaccharides discovered in the Goji berry also promote production of human growth hormone in the body, which helps repair skin cells-- and build muscle for those looking to get fit for resort season.
You don’t have to scale the Himalayas to get yourself some Goji. Big brands are incorporating it into lotions, body mists, and age defense serums. But you can also buy dried goji berries at your local health food store; if you can get used to the taste, they’re a great snack food! Try a strawberry goji berry smoothie or a fresh goji power soup. Or if you’re really ambitious consider whipping up some goji berry cheesecake for your next romantic night in with that special someone. Did you know goji berries are rumored to be a strong sexual tonic? Those wily things…