Goji berries are an excellent superfood to include in your next smoothie. because they not only provide protein, trace minerals, and a variety of other nutrients, but they also taste great!
The mild, tangy flavor of these small, pink berries will add a unique sweet and sour flavor to your next smoothie.
But don’t stop with smoothies because these berries can be eaten plain as a snack, in trail mix, on oatmeal, in a green salad, or in tea.
Wolfberries are another name for goji berries. The reddish pink berry grows on an evergreen shrub native to Asia and southeastern Europe.
Lyceum barbarism is a plant in the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, and chili peppers. Typically, the berries are sold and consumed dried.
Most goji berries are on plantations in China. The production of these powerfully nutritious berries has increased greatly over the last several years. The health potential of goji berries may be new in the west. however, China, Tibet, Nepal, and India, people have appreciated this berry for millennia.
At least 2,500 years have passed since the berry was first referenced in writing. Characterized as a sustaining dish that refuels the spirit. Since then, there have been numerous historical references to the health benefits of goji berries. Particularly their ability to promote longevity.
Goji Berries’ Health Advantages
The numerous health benefits of these delicious berries truly place them at the top of the list of superfoods. In fact, superfood guru David Wolfe ranks them first in his book Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. They are high in protein, vitamins, healthy fats, trace minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. For thousands of years, the Chinese have associated this food with health. Vitality, long life, and modern science is finally figuring out why.
- Protein: One of the very few plant-based foods that can give you a complete protein is goji berries. The berries are full of all the essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. All of these essential amino acids are present in meats and dairy products, but not in the majority of plants. Goji berries can provide you with a complete protein. Unlike vegetarians and vegans who generally combine meals like grains and beans to obtain one.
- Eye health: Goji berries are rich in the carotenoid compound zeaxanthin, which is a crucial ingredient for healthy eyes. This chemical is consumed by those who have less aging-related macular degeneration. The substance in the berries that gives them their scarlet hue is zeaxanthin.
Health benefits
- Longevity and anti-aging properties: In China, the fruits from goji plants have a long tradition of being linked to longevity. Other plant has been shown to have the same effect on these hormones, according to research. Your ability to produce this hormone declines with age. You can increase production and possibly experience anti-aging benefits in your appearance and general health by consuming the berries.
- Heart disease: It has been shown that eating goji berries increases the body’s level of the superoxide dismutase enzyme. The enzyme that stops cholesterol from oxidizing is this one. You can minimize your risk of developing serious cardiac issues by consuming more goji berries.
- Immune system: The berries of the goji plant include three chemicals that can help strengthen your immune system. The three substances are polysaccharides, the mineral germanium, and beta carotene. Polysaccharides are substances that enhance immune system performance.
Health benefits
- Antioxidants: Goji berries are rich in antioxidants. They are healthy substances that shield our DNA and contain vitamin C, zinc, and copper. Your body contains free radicals. Which are highly reactive and can change the DNA of your cells to cause harm, aging, and even cancer. Goji berries have a higher concentration of antioxidants than many other foods. Such as red grapes, strawberries, and broccoli, which neutralize and eliminate harmful free radicals.
- Autoimmune diseases: In the United States, one in five people have an autoimmune disease. This implies that the immune system, which should combat microbial and viral invaders, instead targets the body’s own healthy cells. Goji berries contain polysaccharides, which give your body’s cells specific carbohydrates. This aids your immune system in distinguishing between healthy cells and foreign ones.
- Minerals: The goji berries include a number of these so-called trace minerals. Goji berries also include copper, zinc, magnesium, phosphorous, germanium, and selenium.
FAQs
- Does consuming goji berries have any negative effects? In addition to being incredibly healthy. One of the most secure things to eat is goji berries. Warfarin and goji berries can interact negatively. You shouldn’t consume the berries if you’re taking medication. If you have any worries about using it, like with any other herbal product, speak to your doctor first.
- In what form can you buy goji berries? they are similar like raisins. In natural food stores or online. Additionally, goji berry-based drinks and teas are available. These might also contain other components,
- How can you consume goji berries? use the dry ones you buy. In the same manner you would any other dried fruit such as raisins. In addition, being blended. You can eat them plain. Added to trail mixes, baked into breads, infused with water to make tea, and of course, taken in basic form.
FQAs
- Have there been false claims about the health benefits of goji berries? Yes. A few years ago, as goji juice rose to popularity on the health food market. Several producers made some audacious and deceptive claims. Claims that the juice may prevent breast cancer. They don’t treat or cure cancer, but they do contain a number of nutrients that have been shown to enhance your body’s capacity to fight the disease.
- Is it necessary to wash goji berries before eating them? On the package, there are directions to wash the berries before eating. Try giving them a quick rinse in water with some white vinegar added. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly once more to avoid later tasting vinegar.
Smoothies with Goji Berries
In addition to all of their health advantages, it also has a fantastic flavor. Any of your fruity smoothies will benefit from adding a small handful, and you can expect it to be excellent. For a little tang and zip, you may even try blending them into a chocolate smoothie. Here is a recipe to get you going that is rich in antioxidants from the best berries:
- 1 cup of coconut water, fruit tea, or water
- 1 cup of a frozen berry mixture that includes blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries
- 14 cup of goji berries, dried
- Unsweetened, shredded coconut, 14 cup
Although the berries in this recipe may be sufficient for you. You can add a natural sweetener if you want additional sweetness in your smoothies. Try a tablespoon of honey or a tiny bit of stevia if it doesn’t work. Take a sip of your superfood smoothie after blending the ingredients together to the desired smoothness.
Recipes for Goji Berry Smoothies
What goji berry-related experiences have you had? Tell us in the comments section below, please.