| Goji berries or technically Lycium barbarum (Latin) | | | | by Dr. Mindell. He writes in the book that there |
| has always been considered a miracle product. | | | | are many longest living people in the world who |
| There are many legends built around Goji berries | | | | have been consuming this red fruit on a daily |
| and even festivals are held in its honor. And if | | | | basis. Goji berry is no doubt the most effective |
| that is not enough even a renowned Chinese poet | | | | anti-aging food in the world. What is more it is |
| of the Tang dynasty (772-842 AD) wrote a | | | | perhaps the most nutritionally dense food present. |
| poem dedicated to its benefits. There is a legend | | | | Some of the major nutrients found in Goji juice |
| around it. It was during the Tang Dynasty that | | | | are the glyconutrients and the phytonutrients. |
| something queer happened. | | | | Glyconutrients provide the body with eight |
| A famous Buddhist temple had a well dug near its | | | | essential sugars that are necessary for human |
| wall. The wall was covered with Goji vines and | | | | growth while the twenty two phytonutrients help |
| Goji berries used to fall into the well for years. | | | | in intercellular communication. |
| What was surprising was that monks living in the | | | | Let us have a look at some of the benefits of |
| temple always remained in good health and even | | | | Goji juice. |
| in old age no one had a single white hair and most | | | | Boosts your immune system to fight diseases |
| had not lost a single tooth. Why was that so? | | | | Powerful antioxidant helping in fighting premature |
| Well, because they drank water from the well. | | | | ageing. |
| Himalayans were perhaps the first natural healers | | | | Regulates blood pressure |
| of the world and they propagated their | | | | Regulates blood sugar at the initial stages of |
| knowledge to herbalists of China, India and Tibet. | | | | diabetes |
| And what was their one cure all secret? Well, it | | | | Prevents DNA mutation, inhibits tumor growth and |
| was Goji berries that were the native of | | | | control peroxidation of lipids. All this helps in |
| Himalayas. And when people came to the | | | | preventing the risk of cancer |
| Himalayan valleys and came to know about the | | | | Positively affect vision and cardiac functions and |
| effectiveness of Goji berries, they took the vines | | | | also works wonders for headaches and insomnia. |
| to their homes and planted it there. That is how | | | | Sexual health and fertility is improved |
| the knowledge about Goji berries spread. | | | | Weight regulation |
| The importance of Goji berries for people of | | | | Improves dry cough |
| Central Asia could be gauged from the fact that | | | | Improves digestive system and also improves |
| they celebrate for two week every year in honor | | | | memory. |
| of Goji berries. Scientists found out four primary | | | | Let us have a look at the composition of Goji |
| bioactive polysaccharides in Lycium barbarum. | | | | berry to understand why it is so beneficial. |
| These were known as Lycium barbarum | | | | Germanium, which is not found in any other fruit |
| polysaccharides (LBP). These unique compounds | | | | Carotenoids like beta carotene and vitamin C |
| actually manage most of the biochemical defense | | | | Four important polysaccharides named LBP1, |
| systems of our body. | | | | LBP2, LBP3 and LBP4. These are the key for |
| And the knowledge that Goji berries are not | | | | good health. |
| limited to herbalists only. Major universities have | | | | 19 amino acids that also includes the eight most |
| undertaken research on Goji berries and they | | | | essential amino acids. Also contains about twenty |
| have actually come to the same conclusion. There | | | | one minerals in traces including copper, selenium, |
| have been over fifty studies related to Goji | | | | zinc, phosphorus and others. |
| berries and have been published in almost all the | | | | Zeaxanthin which is very beneficial for the eyes, |
| better reputed health journals. | | | | B-complex and fatty acids. |
| Some of these journals include: International | | | | Vitamin E, rarely found in fruits. It is generally |
| Immunopharmacology, Journal of Ethano | | | | found in nuts and seeds. |
| pharmacology, British Journal of Nutrition, China | | | | Cyperone, Beta-Sitosterol (anti-inflammatory), |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology, Journal of Chinese | | | | Solavetivone, Betaine (cardiovascular system), |
| Herbal Medicine, Chinese Herb News Magazine | | | | Linoleic acid (weight loss) and Physalin. |
| Research Communications Molecular Pathology and | | | | Iron concentration is about 11 mg per 100 gm of |
| Pharmacology Chinese Patent Herbs, Nature | | | | fruit which is very high. |
| Reviews Drugs, Chinese Herbs, Nature Reviews | | | | You can easily get Goji juice from health stores |
| Drug Discovery Chinese Oncology Magazine, | | | | and there are many online stores that can |
| Physiology Academic Journal Chinese | | | | provide you with Goji juice. It is recommended to |
| Stomatology, Hygiene Research and a whole lot | | | | take two to four ounce daily but there are no |
| more. | | | | side effects of increased dosages. Most of the |
| You can find a lot more about Goji berries in the | | | | people start feeling the health benefits within one |
| book "Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret" written | | | | month. |