Goji Berries: Ancient Remedy Finds New Popularity

It wasn’t long ago when Noni Juice was all the rage. High in anti-oxidants, used for centuries by traditional healers, impressive testimonials for dozens of health ailments. Sound familiar? With such a bitter tasting juice commanding so much attention, it’s no surprise that the tangy tasting goji berry has now stolen the limelight. Although the goji berry (“goji” means “happy”) has been used for thousands of years by herbalists in China, Tibet, and India to protect the liver, help eyesight, boost immune function, improve circulation, and promote longevity and overall wellbeing, it has only recently gained popularity in the West. It has become so popular, in fact, that Time Magazine recently named the goji berry as "superfruit" of the year. A big reason why goji berries have quickly become a favorite nutritional supplement is its impressive list of ingredients. According to the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute analysis conducted in 1988, goji berries contain more beta carotene than carrots, more iron than spinach, 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges, over 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, and substantial amounts of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. The analysis also discovered that the berries contain essential fatty acids and are an incredibly rich source of carotenoids (more than any other known food). What is even more impressive is the amount of antioxidants contained in goji. In a test developed by USDA researchers out of Tufts University in Boston called the ORAC scale (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), goji berries were shown to have extremely high levels of antioxidants with 5 times more antioxidants than prunes, and ten times more than blueberries. To truly appreciate the significance of this discovery, you must first understand the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are atoms with an odd or unpaired electron. Because they are unstable, they seek out an electron to make a stable pair. As the free radical captures an electron, it creates a new free radical missing an electron, thus creating a cascading effect that can result in cellular damage. This damage can accelerate the aging process and contribute to a host of ailments and diseases. Free radicals are constantly attacking our body via the air we breathe, water we drink, pesticides on our fruits and vegetables, preservatives in our processed food, toxic chemicals in our cleaning products, and so on. Consuming foods high in antioxidants offers our bodies a powerful weapon to combat these free radicals. While goji berries (or goji juice) may be an excellent addition to your diet, remember, no one food is the answer to perfect health. It’s important to consume a well-balanced, wholesome diet from a variety of foods, (primarily whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and healthy plant proteins). For those of you anxious to give this “superfruit” a try, you'll find ample supplies of goji berries and goji juice at all of our Down to Earth stores.