Goji berries are bright orange-red fruit that comes from a shrub that's native to China. In Asia, goji berries have been eaten for generations in the hopes of living longer and stronger. They've recently had a surge in popularity, thanks to their high antioxidant content and potential health benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of goji berries:
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Goji berries are high in antioxidants
Antioxidants are one of the most important nutrients you can consume. They help protect your body from free radicals, which can damage your cells and increase your risk of cancer. Antioxidants are found in a wide range of foods and beverages, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, tea (green or black), wine and chocolate.
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May improve blood sugar control
Goji berries are a good source of fibre, which means they can help you feel full and satisfied. Fibre also slows down how quickly your body absorbs sugar from foods.
A low glycemic index (GI) means that goji berries raise blood sugar levels slowly over time. Foods with a lower GI take longer to digest, so they're more filling and keep you feeling energized for longer than foods with higher GI scores.
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Goji berries are high in a number of vitamins and minerals.
Goji berries are rich in vitamin A, which is an antioxidant that can help eye health and keep your skin looking healthy. Goji berries also have a lot of vitamin E—just one cup of goji berry juice provides you with almost half the recommended daily intake! Vitamin E helps reduce inflammation and has been shown to be effective for reducing the symptoms of some cataracts, as well as helping protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
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Goji berries may help reduce age-related eye problems.
Goji berries are rich in the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein, which are known to promote eye health. Zeaxanthin is a potent antioxidant that helps protect the retina. Lutein is another antioxidant that protects the lens of the eye. The consumption of goji berries may help reduce age-related eye problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts, according to a study published in Nutrition & Metabolism.
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Goji berries may help reduce stress, depression and anxiety.
Stress can have a negative impact on your mood, energy levels and overall health. Stress is not just about feeling anxious or worried – it also includes feelings like anger, frustration and irritability. These feelings are caused by our response to stressful situations rather than the situations themselves.
Goji berries can be eaten raw, or cooked and added to soups, stews, side dishes and salads. If you're new to goji berries, start out by adding just one tablespoon per day (or less) to your meals until you get used to them.
Conclusion
Goji berries are a delicious and convenient snack. They’re easy to find in health food stores and online, and they can be eaten plain or added to your favourite dishes. You can even make your own goji berry tea or juice. Try adding them to your diet today!
