Goji Berries: 7 Reasons it’s a Super Snack

Goji Berries like a lot of super fruits are getting more recognition for all their vitamins, nutrients and massive benefits. Superfruits use has been growing with much research showing promising health benefits because of the bioavailability of antioxidants and phytochemicals. (1) The goji berry is high in these benefits.

Native to China, a goji berry travels a long way to be the perfect snack to add to your diet. They have been used for over 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine to promote a long life. On the shrub these plump berries, also known as Lycium babarum, look like cherry tomatoes.  The majority of commercial production is still in China so that makes them harder to get fresh but no worries, they can easily be found in the dried form. The raisin like treat tastes like a mix of dried cherries and cranberries.

Add these berries to your trail mix. It’s easy! My daughters make their own trail mix all the time and add these super berries. Practitioners, like me, want to see you eating superfoods to help get you healthy and keep you healthy. Why supplement when you can get what your body needs from a food? We would rather see you get it from a food than a supplement. Especially, when it is so simple to add them in a snack.

Goji Berries are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. It’s high in Vitamin A. It has more beta carotene than a carrot and it’s higher in vitamin C than an orange but that’s not all. There’s more! Check out the super benefits below!

7 Super Benefits

1) Full of amino acids 

This plump berry contains 19 of 20 amino acids and 8 of the 9 essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are the ones your body can’t make on its own, so you need to get them from your food. Goji berries contain L-arginine and l-glutamine production. These amino acids are made by your body but if you are ill or putting your body in stress you might not be making enough.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and play a critical role in almost every bodily process. Some amino acids regulate hormones, protect your heart, play a part in metabolism and more. It’s crucial to make sure they are in your diet.

2) The berry with protein.

Goji berries are a great source of protein. An ounce of goji berries can give us 20% of our protein needs. They have more protein than meat and even more protein than bee pollen, which has a lot of protein.

Having a predominately plant-based diet is extremely important, and these berries help you get your protein making it easier to eat plants. Plants can be so boring but not if you add fun ones like goji berries. Just because I know plants are good for me doesn’t mean I want to eat a salad all the time.

3) Boosts Human Growth Hormone Production

Sufficient HGH can support longevity, performance and overall health.  Goji berries are a nutrient-rich natural way to support the production of HGH. They also stimulate the pineal gland to boost production of HGH.

4) A berry with fatty acids?  

This berry is unique for a fruit. It is high in fatty acids! Are you trying to get more healthy fats in your diet? Healthy fats are important for energy and cell growth. The goji berry plays an important role as a natural source of unsaturated fatty acids with a good polyunsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids ratio. (2)

5) Lots of trace minerals.

It’s got 21 trace minerals including geranium and selenium. It has more iron than spinach. Goji berries are known as a great source for trace minerals and studies have shown they have great bio-accessibility. One study looked at copper, zinc and manganese availability in the goji berry and found compounds in goji berries likely make the elements more bioavailable for humans. (3)

6) Antioxidants to help you age well

Lots of research has been done on the antioxidant qualities of goji berries that are the reason this berry has such a reputation for anti-aging. You know I don’t think anything is anti-aging but there are ways to help you age well.

Goji Berries are loaded with beta- carotene and phenolic compounds along with other antioxidants that help protect your heart, skin, brain, and liver from degeneration. There have been numerous studies done and its been demonstrated goji berries have an important role in improving vision, prevention, of aging and boosting the immunes system.  (4) Protect yourself and age well with your snack!

7) Betaine is a Super Component

Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine, is one of the functional components that makes goji berries so super. It’s an amino acid that is recognized for it’s anti-aging effects and for capacity for disease prevention. It fights free radicals and helps with the methylation process by building methyl groups.

Getting rid of toxins is important for aging well and preventing disease. Methylation is a critical process for every cell in your body:

• Helps with detox
• Protects the liver
• Protects your skin
• Fantastic for the brain
• Helps keep estrogen in a safe form

When you eat goji berries on regular basis you not only get high dense nutrients, but you also consistently and slowly build methyl groups. Snacking can help remove toxins!  (4) (5)

Goji Berries are a Superfood and a Super Snack

Goji berries have thousands of years of building a reputation for health and aging well. Now with science we can see how extensive the benefits are and how food can help get us, and keep us, healthy.

It’s easier than ever for us to have access to these superfoods. There are lots of great companies you can get this superfood from. Think of how hard it was to get foods like goji berries 30 years ago. Now we can order online! Healthy foods are at the tips of our fingers. Find our favorite and get it delivered to you. All the healthy benefits and aging well qualities can be at your door shortly.

So, with all the dense nutrients and benefits in one place you can cut down on your caloric intake and snack your way to health with this super snack.

Written by Dr. Patrick Flynn

Check out Dr. Patrick Flynn’s Goji Berries Quick Tip for more!