Goji Berries:
The Goji Berries are the small red berries of the Lycium Barbarum plant, which is seen in China, Tibet, and Mongolia. Goji Berries are used as Chinese medicine for thousands of years, but it was not enough. Recently scientists of many other countries discovered that there is something in the Goji berry that make this so powerful and an amazing medicine.The other names of Goji berries are Lycium barbarum, wolfberry, gou-qi-zi and Fructus lycii. Goji berries are usually found dried. They are shriveled red berries that look like red raisins.
Goji Berry Benefits:
Chinese, Tibetan and Indian herbalists are using Goji berries for around 6,000 years to protect the liver, increase eyesight, improve sexual function and fertility, strengthen the legs, boost immune function, improve blood circulation and for longevity.
Goji berries conains antioxidants, particularly carotenoids like beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. The zeaxanthin helps to protect the retina of the eye by absorbing blue light. In fact, zeathanthin decreases the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 65.
In now days, goji juice is popular as a part of healthy diet. Companies marketing goji juice often mention that one can live over 252 years by taking goji juce regularly. Marketers also discus the health benefits of goji juice.
Research on Goji Berry:
Goji berry has been tested on humans in two published studies. A study was published in the Chinese Journal of Oncology in 1994 that was 79 people with cancer responded better after adding goji to their regimen.
There are lots of test tube studies showing goji berry contains antioxidants and goji may control the growth of cancer cells, reduce blood glucose, and lower the body cholesterol levels. We can take goji as juice or with tea, it does not matter.
Although goji berries are used as traditional Chinese medicine but these are not so expensive, goji juice is very pricey.
The side effects of regular goji consumption are not known till now.