The Amazing Health Benefits of Goji Berries

If you haven’t heard much about the goji berry, you probably soon will. The goji berry, also know as the wolfberry, is receiving attention these days for its possible health benefits. Although lofty health claims are often made about these orange and red berries, most health data regarding this fruit is still preliminary. Although promotion of the fresh goji berry and its juice has been strong, it still remains a largely undiscovered berry seen mostly in health food stores and natural food markets. Is it worthwhile to eat goji berries?

Although the health benefits of fresh goji berries has yet to be proven, this little berry has an excellent nutritional profile. It’s one of the few berries that contain eighteen different amino acids, making it a good protein source. It’s also a source of plant sterols which has led to the claim that it can lower cholesterol. Although this has not been conclusively proven in humans, it may merit further study before it can be recommended that humans eat goji berries for this purpose. Fresh goji berries are also high in vitamin C and rich in essential and trace minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron. As if that weren’t enough, they’re also a source of carotenes, including beta carotene which gives them their orange coloration.

Although it has yet to be proven that fresh goji berries or their juice can cure cancer or prevent heart disease, they offer certain advantages as a snack food. With only ninety calories in a quarter cup of fresh goji berries, they provide a lot of vitamin C, minerals, and protein for a low calorie snack food. In fact, the goji berry has more beta-carotene than the carrot and far more vitamin C than an orange. The high protein content of the goji berry also makes it more filling than most fruits so you’ll be less likely to reach for that high calorie donut after you’ve finished your berries.

How do they taste? People who eat goji berries describe them as tasting like a sweet cranberry with a nice interplay of tart and sweet qualities. You can probably already imagine how many ways there are to eat goji berries. Sprinkle them on hot cereal such as oatmeal to add a touch of sweetness, add them to smoothies or low fat yogurt, or simply enjoy them by the handful. Dried goji berries can be made into homemade granola bars or added to trail mix. Nuts and goji berries are an interesting combination of sweet, slightly tart, and salty. And when you’re tired of fresh goji berries, you can even buy chocolate goji berries for a healthy but decadent tasting snack.

Next time you’re looking for a snack, don’t reach for something unhealthy, eat goji berries instead.

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