The Goodness of Goji Berries

Often known as Tibetan goji or Himalayan goji, goji berries are actually grown in and exported from China. Served dried, cooked, in tea or juice, these berries are in high demand today for their nutrient and antioxidant properties.

Get some red: Goji berries are high in vitamins and minerals. They contain many nutrients and phytochemicals like amino acids, polysaccharides and onosaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and many antioxidant phenols.

High on antioxidants: As with other berries rich in antioxidants, goji berries too can help prevent cancer, heart disease and many other age-related illnesses. Studies are also on to show their effect on brain degenerative diseases.

Get more nutrients: Since goji berries are chock full of nutrients, they are a powerful tool in helping the body replenish itself, particularly after gruelling physical routines.

The happy berry: Rich in polysaccharides, goji berries give you a mood boost, healthy libido, high energy levels and better immunity. They lessen fatigue and aid in better functioning of the body systems.

Red flags: Warfarin is a popularly prescribed blood thinner; ingesting goji berries interferes with the body’s process of metabolising the warfarin, thus rendering a blow to its effectiveness. The efficacy of other diabetes and blood pressure drugs may also be affected similarly.

Goji berries may exacerbate pollen allergies. Check with your doctor before you start on them.

The numbers

100 gm of dried Goji berries has:

9 mg of iron (100% DRI*)

1.3 mg of riboflavin (100% DRI*)

Upto 150 mg of calcium, depending on quality and process used to dry the fruit (upto 163% DRI*)

50 mg of selenium (91% DRI*)

1,132 mg of potassium (24% DRI*)

2 mg of zinc (18% DRI*)

112 mg of calcium (10-12% DRI*)