Goji Berries

Goji Berries - A True Superfood!

Goji berries, sometimes known as wolfberries, are considered to be one of the most nutrient-rich plant foods on Earth. The fruit is nicknamed the "happy berry" because of the sense of well being it is said to induce.

Goji berries are grown in China, Mongolia, the Himalayas and Tibet. They are a deep-red fruit which grow on vines and are dried and preserved in the sun. They have been eaten by Tibetan monks and used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It has been claimed that the best goji berries come from Tibet. However, nearly all the goji berries on the market actually come from China.

One resourse website explains:

"The name Tibetan Goji berry is in common use in the health food market for berries from this plant that are claimed to have been grown in the Himalaya region. Tibet as a significant wolfberry source is almost certainly a myth, however, as it is an unlikely region for commercial supplies of berries of any kind. The Tibetan Plateau is more than 10,000 ft altitude with poor soil and climate conditions unfavorable for fruit crops. Year-round cold temperatures and frost would inhibit bud development and prevent fruit formation. Minimal subsistence agriculture exists in Tibet. There are no objective commercial, scientific, or government reports on wolfberries from Tibet, whereas reports on wolfberries from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of north-central China are abundant and the reputation of Ningxia wolfberries is widespread throughout Asia. In addition to being cultivated mainly in Ningxia, wolfberry also grows in the Chinese regions of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Shanxi." (Ref: wikipedia)

Goji berries are grown in the Ningxia province in China. Research by Dr. Earl Mindell, one of the world's leading nutritionists, explains in his comprehensive guide to goji berries, Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret, "that while all goji berries originally came from the Himalayas, there are now dozens of varieties of berries growing in many countries, but the only ones that should rightfully be called the true goji are those which have retained the exact spectral signature and balanced polysaccharides of the original. Goji berries grown in the Ningxia and Xinjiang regions make for an exceptional quality of berry, high in lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), the main active constituents of the goji berry due to the weather, enriched soil, and glacial runoff waters".

Goji berries are nutritionally rich. They are packed full of:

Antioxidants: they are the richest known source of beta-carotene of all foods - weight for weight they contain 500 times more beta-carotene than oranges!

Vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamins B1, B2 and B6

21 trace minerals, including zinc, calcium and selenium

18 amino acids

Omegas - essential fatty acids

Anti-oxidants work by "mopping up" unstable molecules called free radicals - highly active, unstable molecules caused by pollutants such as cigarette smoke. They can damage the body's proteins, fats and DNA and contribute towards heart disease and cancer as well as speeding up the ageing process. A great way to reduce the damage done by free radicals is to include goji berries as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Goji Berries have many health benefits. They are thought to: Enhance libido / sex drive (they are known as a natural viagra!), Boost energy and general well being, Improve cellulite - (they are known as cellulite assasinators as they are packed with skin-boosting antioxidants), Assist in weight loss and burn fat, Slow ageing, Fight cancer, Fight heart disease, Boost the immune system, Improve hearing and eyesight, Maintain healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, Enhance fertility and reduce morning sickness, Build muscle, Stengthen bones and tendons, Strengthen and support healthy liver and kidney function, Maintain a healthy nervous system.

The recommended daily serving of goji berries is between 10-30g. Goji berries are very versatile and can be added to smoothies, muesli, breakfast cereals, yoghurt, cakes, or enjoyed as they are as a nutritious and healthy snack.

www.go-goji.co.uk is a UK based company, specialising in the supply and sale of goji berries and other superfoods. We are committed to providing the highest quality goji berries at the best prices. We have tried many goji berries and are pleased to have sourced the best quality and taste available. Our berries are organic, grown without pesticides or agrochemicals. Plumper and sweeter than other berries, you can be sure you are getting the most nutritious and healthy berries at competitive prices. We are specialists and experienced in the sourcing and supply of goji berries. For an exciting wide range of other superfoods visit www.thesuperfoodco.co.uk.

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