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Goji Berry – the South Asian healthy fruit
Goji Berry or wolfberry, Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense, is a nightshade Solanaceae family plant. It is originally from the South region of Asia – China, India and Tibet. Goji berry usage in Chinese traditional medicine counts from thousands of years ago. Currently, they are cultivated mainly in China, Europe and Himalaya due climate conditions for the development of the Goji Berry’s shrubs. Harvest period for the Goji Berry fruit goes from July to September.
Goji Berry is a dried red fruit, similar to raisins, with a sweet flavour. Goji Berries can be consumed solely or mixed with other fruits, salads, juices, yoghurts, cakes, cereal bars, mousses etc.
Wolfberry market
Additional to traditional Goji Berry fruit preparation, due to recent studies that are being conducted by the health and wellness industry, Goji Berry can also be found in capsules, powder, shakes etc.
Goji Berry – a “superfood” for health and wellness?
Goji berry is being largely studied by health and wellness industry because of its potential “superfood” quality of high concentration of nutrients: vitamins, minerals, fibers, amino acids, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
Enthusiastic researchers are studying the benefits of the Goji Berry associated with the improvement of concentration capacity and heart condition due to Complex B and Taurine; stress reduction and “eye health” due to flavonoids and carotenoids (zeaxanthin, lutein, zinc, lycopene and beta carotene (which is transformed to Vitamin A); skin protection against UVA due to antioxidants; weight loss due to fibers; and, cholesterol and cellulitis control due to antioxidants and Vitamin C. These researches recommend the ingestion of 1 to 2 tablespoons of Goji Berry per day.
