The 8 Health Benefits of Goji Berries

1. Goji berries are perhaps one of the best-known superfoods, and for good reason. Not only do you find advertisements for these deep red berries everywhere online, they were even presented on television, for example on the Dr. Oz show.

1. Now that does not mean that they are necessarily very healthy, because there are more products sold that do little except fill the bags of the manufacturers.

1. Goji berries have a good reason why they are so popular. Now we already know that all berries are healthy, but if you compare Goji berries to blueberries or strawberries, you will soon come to the conclusion that these superfoods contain far more nutrients than even the healthiest berries. In this article I would like to walk you through why these berries are so healthy and how they can help you improve your health!

1. Let's get started ...

What are Goji berries anyway?

1. Before I dive straight into the health benefits, let me first introduce you to this exotic fruit. Goji berries traditionally come from Asia. They are now also exported from this area. In the Netherlands, the Goji berry is also called the box maple. The shrub itself belongs to the nightshade family and can also be found in some areas of North America.

1. The berries are usually available dried in the Netherlands, mainly because of the long way they take to get here. Although similar to currants, dried Goji berries are a bit fresher and more sour. The berry is deep red in color and normally about 2 cm long.

1. Note: people with a hypersensitivity to plants of the nightshade family (such as potatoes, tomatoes and aubergine) should also avoid the Goji berry to prevent possible hypersensitivity reactions!

1. And why is the Goji berry so healthy now?

1. Rich in antioxidants and other nutrients

1. Goji berries, like most other superfoods, are incredibly rich in antioxidants and thus help improve your immune system. These substances also help the body to fight against chronic inflammation and fight free radicals. However, unlike regular berries (which are already known for their health benefits - such as blueberries), Goji berries contain much higher amounts of antioxidants and nutrients and thus combat oxidative stress.

2. Goji berries, like most other superfoods, are incredibly rich in antioxidants and thus help improve your immune system. These substances also help the body to fight against chronic inflammation and fight free radicals. However, unlike regular berries (which are also known for their health benefits - such as blueberries), Goji berries contain much higher amounts of antioxidants and nutrients and thus combat oxidative stress.

1. What is special is their high protein content (no less than 4 grams per serving!) And they contain all essential amino acids as well as more than 20 trace elements. Per gram, these special berries contain even more beta-carotene than carrots and also more iron than spinach. Goji berries are a great natural supplement for iron deficiency.

2. Promote the immune system

1. Goji berries are comparable to other berries in terms of vitamins A and C. Berries are an extremely good source of these vitamins. Vitamins A and C have been linked to a stronger immune system and may even fight diseases such as cancer.

1. Goji berries are the richest in the so-called carotenoids. These compounds destroy cancer cells, stop the growth of certain tumors, can fight chronic inflammation, and cleanse the body of toxins.

2. Goji berries are the richest in the so-called carotenoids. These compounds destroy cancer cells, stop the growth of certain tumors, can combat chronic inflammation, and cleanse the body of toxins.

1. The benefits of Goji berries even extend to the digestive system, brain, liver and even the genitals. And did you know that you can even fight skin cancer with food? Goji berries prevent the further growth of cancer cells and have anti-aging properties, so they can also help fight and prevent skin cancer.

2. The benefits of Goji berries extend even to the digestive system, brain, liver and even the genitals. And did you know that you can even fight skin cancer with food? Goji berries prevent the further growth of cancer cells and have anti-aging properties, which means they can also help fight and prevent skin cancer.

3. Healthy skin with Goji berries

1. Goji berries are rich in beta-carotene, a pigment found in plants that promotes healthy skin.

1. In animal studies, Goji berry juice has been shown to greatly increase antioxidant activity to combat skin conditions and even reduce damage from UV light.

1. So it turns out that Goji berry juice is ideal to combat the damage of free radicals (caused by the sun). People who have an increased risk of skin cancer or other skin conditions benefit from daily consumption of the juice.

4. Good for the eyes

1. Goji berries protect against eye degeneration, which is often the main cause of blindness in older people. These superfood berries are a natural treatment method for the eyes because of their powerful effect against free radicals.

1. A recent study has shown that drinking Goji berry juice for 90 days can provide long-lasting eye protection by reducing stress compounds and preventing hypopigmentation. Other studies have also shown that these berries can act as a natural remedy for the treatment of glaucoma.

5. Prevents insulin resistance and diabetes

1. Goji berries ensure a slow release of the sugars in the blood. This ensures that the blood sugar level remains stable. Several studies have shown that the berries reduce insulin resistance because they make the cells more sensitive to insulin and also have hypoglycemic effects. So if you've already heard from your doctor that you have insulin resistance or even pre-diabetes, Goji berries are an ideal choice as part of a healthy diet. Of course this also makes them perfectly suitable for diabetics.

1. Because diabetes has become a real epidemic, it is important that a natural solution is found. Despite the fact that most doctors still turn to medication far too quickly, there are also natural remedies available to control diabetes. Your diet and weight play a major role in this. Goji berries can be a first step in this, but of course will not work if your diet does not support the same goal.

6. A detoxifying effect

1. In combination with licorice and other herbal extracts, Goji berries are used to effectively cleanse the liver. This is done, for example, during a fasting cure. For the same reason, the berries are often used in soups and porridge for those who need an extra boost.

1. For both the liver and the kidneys, there is practically no better food than Goji berries, as they restore the vitality and strength of these organs. Because of these properties, the berries can also be used as a natural treatment for kidney stones and as a means to clean the blood.

7. A good mood and more energy

1. A study was recently published in the Journal of Alternation and Complimentary Medicine, showing that Goji berry juice can improve energy levels, mood, and even digestive health. After just 2 weeks of drinking the juice, the participants indicated that they had a better mood and their general well-being had improved. They also noted that they had more energy and that their digestion was working properly, something that sometimes left something to be desired. Tip: Eat a handful of Goji berries before exercise for more energy and stamina!

8. Fight Infertility

1. It was the Chinese who traditionally used (and still use today) Goji berries for their reproductive system health benefits and increased fertility. Goji berries are believed to improve fertility by increasing the sperm count in the semen. Incidentally, infertility in women was also improved in one study, along with a condition that prevented women from ovulating normally.

1. In the Chinese tradition the berries are used to balance 'Yin', this is the so-called feminine aspect of body and mind. If you have problems with your fertility or if you suffer from a low sperm count as a man, you can already see an improvement in the balance of your hormones with 15 grams of Goji berries per day, according to studies.

1. From these studies, it can be deduced that these bright red berries stimulate sex hormones, protect against DNA damage, enhance the reproductive system and also increase the number of sperm in the semen of men. This also supports the tradition of the Chinese in fighting Goji berry infertility.

Finally ...

1. Goji berries undoubtedly have many more health benefits than the ones I mentioned above. It is not for nothing that they are one of the best-selling superfoods.

1. But remember, you can add some super healthy foods to your diet, and you may even benefit from this temporarily, but of course this won't work over time. You can achieve good results, but then you have to support the 'superfoods' with a healthy diet.

1. So eat lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, sweet potatoes and beans, and add some extra Goji berries daily for an extra health boost. 15 grams a day of the dried berries is enough, because they may be superfoods, but they also come with a nice price tag.

1. So make them part of a healthy lifestyle for optimal results!

1. Do you already have experience with Goji berries? Then share this in the comments!