What are goji berries?

Goji berries are the result of two species of Solanaceae which are closely related. Originally cultivated in China, it is made of trees that produce flowers of lavender or pale purple and characterized by lance-shaped or oval leaves that can be used to prepare infusions.

The berries are tender and elongated, orange-red colored and contain 10 to 60 yellow seeds.

 

What are the nutritional properties of Goji berries?

One serving of goji berries corresponds to 28 grams and adds 23 calories, 2 of which are fat.

The remaining:

  • 3 g of protein

  • 6 g of carbohydrates

  • 4 g of carbohydrates in the form of sugars

  • 2 g of dietary fiber

In the same amount of Goji berries you will also find 7mg of sodium.

Of your recommended daily dose (2000 calorie daily diet) you will receive:

Also within them they are hiding significant quantities of potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin E (tocopherol).

Among the other molecules present in Goji berries there are various carotenoids (beta carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin), betaine and peptidoglycan, while atropine appears to be present only in small traces. In addition, these fruits are sources of volatile compounds (steroids, glycolipids, glycosides, alkaloids and glucopiranosidi), flavonoids, and peptoids. In the leaves of the plant there is rutin, chlorogenic acid and lyciumosidi, while the root bark is a source of fenilammidi.

 

When you should avoid eating goji berries

The consumption of Goji berries can interfere with the recruitment warfarin. In cases where an interaction was detected, patients had assumed a quantity of infused berries or Goji cortex (barbarum L.) corresponding to the consumption of 6-8 berries per day.

Studies also suggest a possible inhibition of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), but the consequences of this effect are not known.

 

Possible benefits of Goji berries

Goji berries have been used to prevent conditions such as:

The Goji is also an ingredient in many herbal remedies for ophthalmic use and is recommended to increase energy, to nourish the blood and as a tonic for the liver, kidneys and lungs.

However, there are few studies where clinicians justify the therapeutic use of goji berries or assess the recommended daily intake. But research conducted suggest that it could truly have antioxidant properties and hypoglycemic agents, which can enhance function of the immune system and exercise protective effects against the system nervous system, liver and eyes. It was also observed that the intake of 15 grams of goji berries a day is associated with increased plasma levels of zeaxanthin in adult individuals in a state of good health.

 

Possible contraindications of Goji berries

There are no known contraindications to the consumption of Gohi berries, and clinical studies evaluating the consequences of their consumption showed no side effects worth mentioning. The information in this regard, however, is limited (in consumption during pregnancy and lactation there is no research).

 

Seasonality of Goji berries

Northern Hemisphere Goji berries ripen between July and October. Then collections are dehydrated to allow for preservation. This process gives them an appearance similar to that of raisins.