Basic Health benifits of goji Berries

Goji Berries, native to China and Tibet, are small red berries packed with a high amount of nutrients. Long prized in traditional Chinese medicine, Goji Berries have been used for thousands of years as a medicine and food. While these berries are new to many people in the West, this super-fruit is gaining popularity, and for good reason.

Traditionally, Goji Berries were added to teas or foods and thought to increase longevity, help the liver, and improve the immune system. They were also thought to increase sperm production, help with loss of vision due to aging, and were used in people who have ringing in their ears (tinnitus).

Modern scientists, who are just beginning to study Goji Berries, have begun clinical trials and are surprised at how accurate the ancient Chinese were in discovering the benefits of these berries.

Goji Berries have some of the largest concentrations of nutrients of any fruit, they contain:

• A high amount of amino acids (10% protein).

• Good soluble fiber.

• Phytochemicals: including polyphenols, carotenoids, isoflavones (such as genistein, daidzein), quercetin, proanthocyanidins, ellagic acid and more.

• A high amount of antioxidants, such as beta-caotene and zeaxanthin

• Twenty one trace minerals including, selenium, magnesium, copper and germanium (a very rare trace mineral that is thought to have anti-cancer abilities).

• A higher amount of Vitamin C by weight than oranges, as well as Vitamin B and E.

With all that goodness packed into a small package, it is no wonder the ancient Chinese thought that they were beneficial to your health. Modern science is beginning to catch up to the Chinese and has discovered that Goji Berries really are good for a lot of conditions.

Let’s see what they discovered:

• Macular Degeneration: The largest area of research is behind the antioxidants in Goji Berries and how they can help with eyesight loss as we age called macular degeneration. Zeaxanthin has been investigated and shown to help this condition and Goji Berries themselves have been shown to improve both macular degeneration and glaucoma.

• Immune Boosting: Packed with vitamins, trace minerals and antioxidants, Goji Berries have been shown to help the immune system work its best.

• Anti-Cancer: The causes of cancer are many, but many scientists think that many cancers arise out of a lack of antioxidants or trace minerals. Goji Berries provide both of these essential nutrients in abundance. The nutrients in Gogi Berries have not only been shown to prevent cancers, but also stop the spread of cancers once people have it.

• Anti-Inflammatory: Conditions such as arthritis have long been known as an inflammatory disease, new studies are showing inflammation may be why we get asthma, heart disease and maybe even Alzheimer’s disease. There are many studies that support the anti-inflammatory nature of Gogi Berries.

Goji Berries, while new to much of the West have long been prized in the East for their health-promoting properties.