Dried Goji

Dried Goji

Goji Berries â Key To Good Health

The super food goji berry has high concentration of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants â€“ courtesy recent research. Some studies are often mentioned in the promotional journals of health food supplement manufacturers to bolster the claims. Also known as wolfberry, this highly sought after subtropical fruit has a slight tangy taste, and belong to the nightshade (Solonaceae) family. No surprise, the demand for goji berry juice is sky scrapping and is expected to touch the billion dollar mark in sales by the year 2011. Highly looked upon as China's national treasure, goji berry is finally making its way to the West.

Goji berries are principally grown in the northwestern parts of Tibet and China. In fact, goji berries are grown in the wild throughout the temperate regions of China. For ages, traditional Chinese medicine has incorporated the benefits of goji berry juice as an integral part of its therapeutic must haves and is even used in soups, teas and rice meals in China. The small, vibrantly red, and extremely delicate Himalayan goji berries come from the Lycium plant, which is an evergreen bush with tall vines reaching up to 10 to 15 feet. It calls for sunlight and grows best in hot and dry summers. The small, red raisins with a sweet and sour taste contain possibly the highest number of nutrients than any other fruit on the planet has.

The benefits of raw organic goji berries are endless to say the least. These include protection of the liver, better sexual function and higher fertility, improvement in blood circulation and so on. By increasing stamina and giving strength to the legs, goji berry is believed to improve physical performance. It has also proved its merit in the prevention of age-related eyesight deterioration, reduction of cholesterol levels, and relief from menstrual pains. It addresses the healing of hepatitis and cancer. Rich in 18 amino acids and 21 minerals like zinc, copper, iron, germanium, calcium, selenium, and phosphorus, goji berries have the vital elements required for a healthy body. Organically grown goji berries are a great source of carotenoids. The high antioxidant content makes these berries extremely prized. Presence of polysaccharides, which are sugar molecules in goji berry, supports the immune system of the body. Being moderately low in calories and fat content, this fruit also helps in the process of weight loss. Of late it has been found that cancer patients elicited better response when goji was added to their medical course or therapy. Perhaps the anti-oxidants present in this â€œhealth foodâ€™ helps to prevent cancer cell growth.

After knowing the health benefits of goji berry, the next question that strikes the mind is which type of goji berry is most beneficial. There is no ideal answer to this question, but the two most preferred types include Dried Goji Berry and Goji Berry Juice.

Dried Goji Berries: One of the most versatile forms of goji berries are Organic Dried Goji Berries. They can be consumed directly or can be used in various recipes. The advantage of having them raw is that they do not lose their nutrition value.

Goji Berry Juice: Goji juice is the most popular form of having goji berry. Besides, it is more convenient to have it as juice than consuming dried goji berries. They can be simply crushed in a blender and served by mixing in milk or other dairy products. Thus, it doesnâ€™t stick to the teeth unlike goji fruit.

Though there are several portals on the Web, what gives an edge over others is the availability of genuine goji berry products. The latest on their list of products is the mouth watering chocolate goji clusters.