Goji berries are shiny, small red berries growing from violet cone shaped flowers, available in different parts of Himalayas, Tibet, Thailand and China. The fruit is possibly the healthiest and just possibly the most complete fruit on Earth from the point of view of nutrition. High nutrient content of Goji can possibly protection from a number of diseases. It is rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and dietary fiber. Micronutrients like germanium and selenium present in the fruit are helpful in treating diseases like cancer.

Nutrients of Goji Berry may be divided in two broad groups – macronutrients and micronutrients. The total calorific value of each dried berry is about 370kcal / 100 gm.

The macronutrients include:

Carbohydrates (68%)

Proteins (12%)

Fats (10%)

Dietary fibers (10%)

Micronutrients include 19 amino acids, 22 trace and 11 essential elements. Some of them are:

Calcium (112mg/100gm)

Iron (9mg/100gm)

Potassium (1132mg/100gm)

Zinc (2mg/100gm)

Selenium, Germanium (50µg/100gm)

Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E.

Carotenoids- β carotene, xanthophylls, lutein

Polysaccharides, monosaccharide, unsaturated fatty acids like linoleum acids

Health Benefits of Goji Berry

These nutrients present in goji berry may help to fortify the immune system when consumed on a regular basis. Some typical health benefits attributed to the constituent nutrients of goji berry include:

Magic Polysaccharide: Special molecules of polysaccharides contained in goji helps to strengthen the immune system. With growing age, gland secretions tend to decrease. Scientists have identified that the unique polysaccharides in goji are able to stimulate pituitary glands in the brain and increase the secretion of growth hormone. This is the master hormone of the body that communicates and co ordinates with other hormones of the body to promote growth and fight diseases. This hormone also has the potential to slow down or reverse the process of aging.

Amino Acids: No other fruit contains such a long list of amino acids. There are a total of 19 amino acids including eight essential amino acids. Amino acids are building blocks of protein. Supplements of amino acids help the body to synthesize protein that helps them to boost the immune system.

Antioxidants: Scientists believe that antioxidants can lower the blood pressure, open up arteries, stop the growth of tumors, slow down the ageing process and improve neurological functions. It strengthens cells and improves their life span and fortifies the immune system of the body. Goji berries contain a wide variety of antioxidant carotenoids including β carotene, xanthophylls, and lutein. Carotenoids help to protect our eyes.

Vitamins: Goji berries are a rich source of vitamin C that protects the body from free radicals, which may cause cancer or heart disease. Vitamin C helps in producing collagen present in muscle and bones, thus, helping to strengthen them. Vitamin C also helps to enhance liver functions improving the process of detoxification. Goji also contains linoleic acid that helps to reduce body fat in overweight people and is a potent cancer-fighting element in our diet. Goji berries contain different types of Vitamin B that are helpful to combat stress, and improve metabolic and digestive system of body.

For thousands of years herbalists in Tibet, China and India have used goji berries to enhance the immune system by slowing the ageing process, strengthening muscles and bones, improving liver functions, eyesight and fertility.