Content
- 1 What kind of goji berry plant is this?
- 2 Nutritional value and chemical composition of goji berries
- 3 What are the benefits of goji berries?
- 4 How to take goji berries for health
- 5 How to brew goji berries
- 6 How to eat dried goji berries
- 7 How to use goji berries in cosmetology
- 8 Use of dried goji berries in cooking
- 9 Storage rules and periods
- 10 Restrictions and contraindications
- 11 Conclusion
Since ancient times, goji berries have been called “the product of longevity.” They became widespread in Chinese folk medicine. Everyone should know the beneficial properties and contraindications of goji berries. After all, a healing product can fight a huge range of different diseases.
What kind of goji berry plant is this?
Goji berries are the fruits of plants belonging to the nightshade family. The shrub is also called common wolfberry or Chinese barberry. The plant's homeland is considered to be Tibet, Mongolia and the Himalayas. The height of the bush can reach 3.5 m. A distinctive feature of the plant is its well-developed root system. The branches hang down, their length is 5 m. The leaves have an oblong shape.
Red berries are widely used in medicine and cosmetology. But there are also varieties in pink and purple shades. The flowering period of the bush is from April to September. Goji berries (photo of the bush is posted below) become ready for consumption from July to October.
How do goji berries grow?
Chinese barberry is grown not only for medicinal but also for decorative purposes. All summer the plant pleases the eye with pink-purple flowers and a pleasant aroma. In appearance, the flowers resemble a bell. The shrub begins to bear fruit 3 years after replanting. The berries are slightly oblong in shape and bright red in color. They surround the shoot in a cluster.
Where do goji berries grow in Russia?
Imported superfoods are sold in supermarkets at very high prices. Due to the difficulties of transportation, dried fruits are most often found. Therefore, it is easier to grow shrubs in your own garden. Common dereza grows in the climate of central and southern Russia. It is found in the Caucasus, Primorsky Krai and Kuban.
What do goji berries taste like?
Proponents of a healthy diet love to eat dried goji berries.Thanks to their unusual sweet and sour taste, they can become an alternative to unhealthy desserts. Many people note that the taste of the berries is between dried raspberries and raisins. Certain varieties have a slight pungency.
Nutritional value and chemical composition of goji berries
The benefits of superfood are due to its rich composition. They contain a lot of useful components necessary to improve the functioning of vital organs. The nutritional value of the berries is as follows:
- carbohydrates – 77.06 g;
- fats – 0.39 g;
- proteins – 14.26 g;
- fiber – 13 g;
- total amount of sugars – 45.6 g.
Important features of Chinese barberry include the absence of cholesterol and trans fats. The chemical composition of the product includes a lot of useful macro- and microelements. These include:
- iron;
- cobalt;
- phosphorus;
- iodine;
- calcium;
- selenium;
- zinc.
Calorie content and vitamin content
There are 349 kcal per 100 g of product. Due to this, the product is considered dietary. In addition to steroidal saponins and flavonoids, berries contain an abundance of vitamins:
- ascorbic acid;
- thiamine;
- vitamin A;
- riboflavin.
Which berry is healthier: dried or fresh?
The benefits of dried goji berries are the same as fresh ones. In its unprocessed form, the product is rarely used as food, as it can cause negative reactions from the digestive system. Drying fruits prolongs their shelf life without affecting taste.
What are the benefits of goji berries?
It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of goji berries. Thanks to their composition, they have a general strengthening effect on the body and help prevent serious diseases. The most pronounced beneficial properties of the product include:
- stabilization of blood sugar levels;
- improvement of reproductive functions;
- normalization of metabolism;
- antioxidant properties;
- restoration of blood pressure;
- antispasmodic effect;
- slowing down the aging process;
- stimulation of muscle growth;
- preventing anemia;
- combating depressive disorder;
- improved vision.
The benefits of superfood are due to the complex effect on all support systems. It is often used instead of vitamin supplements to prevent colds and viral diseases. The main advantage is the naturalness of the superfood. It has an antioxidant effect, while simultaneously enriching the body with beneficial substances. Doctors recommend including the fruits of longevity in the diet during the rehabilitation period after suffering serious illnesses.
Benefits of goji berries for men
Goji berries are equally beneficial for both women and men. Tibetan monks consumed the product in order to increase physical endurance. In the modern world, the fruits of Chinese barberry are in demand due to their benefits to the reproductive organs. If you consume goji berries correctly, testosterone production will increase. This has a positive effect on the quality of seminal fluid and the level of sexual desire. In addition, the remedy increases the chances of successful conception by increasing the activity and life expectancy of sperm.
Benefits of goji berries for women
Women use the berries to improve their health or for cosmetic purposes. The substances included in their composition help fight gynecological problems. The product is consumed during an irregular menstrual cycle due to hormonal disorders.Due to the abundance of beta-carotene in the composition, wolfberry fruits can act as the main component of facial masks.
Can I eat goji berries during pregnancy?
Reviews indicate that the benefits of goji berries are pronounced for women carrying a child. Dried fruit helps cope with toxicosis and improve mood during hormonal changes. It can also be used instead of high-calorie desserts. But before using the remedy, you should consult a gynecologist.
Can I eat goji berries while breastfeeding?
Longevity berries are not prohibited for nursing women. But they should be consumed in limited quantities. The optimal daily dosage is 30 g. When introducing the product into the diet, it is important to monitor the baby’s reaction. If allergies do not occur, you can continue to eat berries.
Can children eat goji berries?
Many people mistake goji berries for a product intended solely for weight loss. In fact, they also benefit children. Pediatricians allow them to be introduced into the diet starting from the age of 3. But first you should make sure there are no contraindications or allergic reactions. The special benefits of berries are observed during the demi-season period. When used correctly, they significantly strengthen the body and increase its resistance.
How to take goji berries for health
When using goji berries, it is important to study not only their beneficial properties, but also how to use them. Most often, wolfberry fruits are consumed individually in dried form. They do not need additional processing.They are often used to prepare a variety of drinks:
- tea;
- smoothie;
- decoction;
- juice;
- tincture.
In cooking, superfoods are often added to baked goods and main courses. 5 g of product is enough to prepare 1 serving. Berry pulp is used in cosmetology. Its beneficial properties are enriched with the help of additional ingredients of plant origin.
What are the benefits of goji berries for the liver?
According to medical research, regular consumption of berry juice helps cleanse liver cells. This is due to the content of glutathione, which activates the organ’s defense mechanisms. In order to improve liver function, doctors recommend eating about 10-20 g of berries daily.
Use of goji berries for diabetes
Eating a superfood every day helps balance blood sugar levels. This is true for people with diabetes. In addition, the product reduces cravings for sweets and helps control appetite.
Can cancer patients eat goji berries?
According to reviews from doctors, goji berries are not prohibited for consumption by cancer patients. They help the body recover after chemotherapy. Superfoods are often used to prevent cancer. The main benefit lies in its antioxidant properties. Antitumor and immunomodulatory effects are achieved due to the presence of polysaccharides and carotenoids in the composition. The product is recommended for use together with medications. Due to the content of physialin, the product stops the growth of malignant cells, thereby improving the patient’s well-being.
How to eat goji berries for vision
Zeaxanthin, present in the superfood, has a direct effect on visual function.It neutralizes damage to the organs of vision caused by ultraviolet radiation. To improve visual function, take berry juice daily. The total period of admission is 3 months. After such therapy, not only visual acuity improves, but also intraocular pressure decreases.
How to brew goji berries
A healing infusion is often prepared based on the fruits of Chinese barberry. It is used both for preventive purposes and for the treatment of various ailments. The recipe uses the following components:
- 200 ml hot water;
- 1 tbsp. l. barberry.
Cooking process:
- The fruits of wolfberry are poured into any container and filled with the required amount of water.
- The drink is left to brew under the lid for 20 minutes.
- Before drinking the infusion, you can separate the liquid component from the berries.
How to drink goji berries
Chinese barberry can be drunk as fresh juice or tea. In the first case, the product is crushed until smooth using a meat grinder or blender. The remaining pulp is used as a regenerating agent for skin lesions. Juice take 2 tbsp. l. no more than 2 times a day. To make the taste less intense, the drink can be diluted with water.
Goji berry tea is consumed orally or used as a tonic. When taken internally, it reduces the feeling of hunger, thereby promoting weight loss. The drink is prepared according to the following recipe:
- 2 tbsp. l. berries are poured into a kettle and poured with boiling water.
- If desired, add mint leaves, black tea or any other component to the kettle.
- After half an hour, the drink is poured into cups.
How to eat dried goji berries
Dried superfood can be purchased at any health food store. It does not need to be exposed to heat. The fruits are added to cereals, desserts and fermented milk products. You can also use them as a snack.
How many goji berries can you eat per day?
To avoid the development of side effects, the fruits of Chinese barberry should be eaten in strictly limited quantities. Only in this case will their benefits be fully revealed. The daily dosage for an adult is 30 pieces per day. Children and elderly people should not consume more than 15 pieces per day.
How to use goji berries in cosmetology
As part of face masks, the berry mixture helps get rid of dryness and even out skin tone. Tonics made from infusion help to thoroughly cleanse the skin of dirt accumulated during the day. To prepare one of the most popular masks you will need:
- 20 ml sour cream;
- 30 g of Chinese barberry fruits;
- 5 ml almond oil.
Cooking algorithm:
- The berries are crushed in any way until a homogeneous paste is obtained.
- The remaining ingredients are added to it, mixing the mass thoroughly.
- The cosmetic product is applied to cleansed skin along massage lines.
- After 25 minutes, the composition is removed from the skin with warm water.
Use of dried goji berries in cooking
Chinese barberry can be an excellent addition to almost any dish. It is famous not only for its beneficial properties, but also for its piquant taste. It is added to soups, cereals, sauces, baked goods and drinks. Dressing from wolfberry fruits will be an excellent addition to vegetable salad.One of the popular dishes is chicken soup with berries. To prepare it you will need the following components:
- chicken thighs;
- 5 tbsp. l. fruits soaked in water;
- 4 champignons;
- onion and 2 cloves of garlic;
- salt - to taste;
- 2-3 potatoes.
Cooking principle:
- Broth is prepared using chicken thighs.
- After it boils, remove the resulting foam and add salt to taste.
- Potatoes cut into slices are added to the broth.
- After the potatoes are ready, add champignons and soaked berries to the soup.
- At the end, fried onions and garlic are added to the dish.
- After serving, you can add fresh herbs and your favorite seasonings to the soup.
Storage rules and periods
When dried, the fruits may not spoil for a long time. Barberries grown in your own garden must be dried naturally. It should be laid out on paper or natural fabric in a ventilated area. When drying outside, barberries are placed in the shade. Storage is carried out in a glass container with a lid or paper bags. When properly stored, the fruits retain their beneficial properties for 3-5 years.
Restrictions and contraindications
To get maximum benefit from the product, it should be consumed in accordance with the recommended dosages. Abuse can lead to problems with stool and pain in the abdomen. Before using the fruits of the bush, you should make sure that there is no allergic reaction. Contraindications for consuming goji berries include:
- diseases accompanied by fever;
- flatulence;
- age up to 3 years;
- chronic diseases of the respiratory system;
- changes in blood pressure;
- allergic reaction.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties and contraindications of goji berries indicate that they should be used with caution. Correct and dosed use will strengthen the body and prevent the development of pathological processes. Overeating, in turn, threatens side effects.
