Goji Berries « Health Now, Wealth Forever

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By Marilyn, on February 27th, 2013

Goji berries have been one of those fruits that the Chinese have been used for a very long time.  Why eat gogi berries?  Cathy Wong from the website altmedicine.about.com lists why one would want to eat the gogi berry:

  • Protect the liver
  • Help eyesight
  • Improve sexual function and fertility
  • Strengthen the legs
  • Boost immune function
  • Improve circulation
  • Promote longevity

Those all sound great, right?  The goji berry is rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.  Zeaxanthin is great in protecting the retina and acting as an antioxidant.  The increased intake of this antioxidant may decrease the risk of developing macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness and vision loss.  Goji  has been tested on humans in China which showed that cancer responded better when goji was added to their regimen.

Although there have not been studies to prove the claims, goji berries are full of antioxidants.  Antioxidants have been proved to improve one’s immune system and have been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years.  These berries dried might be “our new raisin”.  They have a taste that is a cross between cranberries and cherries.  There is no prescribed daily amount, but adding a handful to your shake or salad cannot be a disadvantage.