6 Health Benefits of Eating Goji Berries

Goji, Goji berries, or wolfberries are the delicious fruit berries belonging to either Lycium barbarum or Lycium Chinese, two closely related species of the boxthorn in the nightshade family. They are native to Asia and are used in Asian cuisines for ages. They are known for their culinary purposes and as well as an ingredient in traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese medicine.

Goji berries provide many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibers, etc.

# Protection Against Various Cancer(s)

Goji berries contain several antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like flavonoids, etc.These compounds protect our cells and tissues from free radical damage and reduce the risk of several cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, intestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.

Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them. Antioxidants in goji berries inhibit the growth of cancer cells and also enhance the abilities of pharmaceuticals responsible for reversing cancer growth.

# Improves Neurological Health

Goji berries benefit our brain and improve our neurological health. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like flavonoids, etc in goji berries protect our brain cells aka neurons from free radical damage.

This reduces the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.Other nutrients like iron, potassium, magnesium, and folate, etc in goji berries improve our neurological health by enhancing cognitive functions such as sharper memory, better focus, increased alertness, and reduced confusion, etc.

# Increases Energy Level

Eating one cup of dried goji berries provide around 353 calories of energy for our day-to-day activities.79 percent of the energy comes from carbohydrates, 5 percent comes from fat, and the rest 16 percent comes from protein, minerals, and amino acids.Because of the high carbohydrates content, energy provided by goji berries sustains for a long time.

Goji berries keep us alert and energetic and reduce the general feeling of tiredness and fatigue. They are a better alternative to commercially available caffeinated energy drinks. B vitamins in goji berries also contribute to enhanced energy levels as they improve the metabolism of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates.

# Improves Muscle Health

During workouts, our muscles produce lactic acid that causes pain, inflammation, and soreness around the muscles.Our liver plays an important role in getting rid of lactic acid.

Goji berries improve our liver health, and a healthy liver gets rid of the lactic acid in an efficient manner. This improves muscular health and promotes physical well-being.Goji berries also provide an abundance of energy ( 353 calories per cup of dried goji berries) that help with the workout session.

# Regulates Blood Sugar Level

Goji berries are beneficial for people with diabetes and for those who are at the risk of diabetes as it has a low glycemic index of 29.Because of their low glycemic index, goji berries slowly release sugar into the bloodstream and prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar level.This helps in managing diabetes.

Dietary fibers in goji berries help in regulating blood sugar by reducing the rate at which sugar is absorbed by the bloodstream.Despite this advantage, consume goji berries in moderation as otherwise they may drop blood sugar below the healthy range and cause shakiness, excessive sweating, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, confusion, irritability, or moodiness.

# Good For Eyes

Goji berries help in maintaining our ocular health.Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, etc in goji berries protect our eyes from free radical damage.This reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the eyes as it improves vision, prevents eye dryness, and reduces the risk of night blindness. Polysaccharides in goji berries improve ocular health by minimizing the damage to the retina and optic nerve.