Happy Berries

Goji berries, also known as Wolfberry (Lycium fruit) and sometimes called Happy berries. They belong to the Solanaceae plant family (from the Latin Solanum, meaning "the nightshade plant") that also includes the potato, tomato, capsicum, eggplant and tobacco. Goji are small red berries that grow in the remote areas of Tibet, Mongolia and China. They have been eaten by locals for almost 2,000 years for their delicious taste and powerful medicinal properties which may help slow down aging, fight cancer, assist in weight loss, protect against the damage of free radicals, lower cholesterol, fight arthritis, reduce inflammation and boost your immunity to name a few.

Goji berries may be the most nutritional edible plant known as it contains 18 amino acids, the building blocks of protein, up to 21 trace minerals (the main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus), more carotenoids than carrots, over 500 times the amount of vitamin C than oranges, and important vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E.

Lose Unwanted Body Fat
Metabolic rate refers to the speed at which your body turns energy you get from food into the working energy of your body. Many factors can effect your metabolic rate including genetics, age, how active you are, how much and what foods you eat. Your metabolism dictates your weight and the amount of body fat you carry – the faster your metabolic rate, the more energy you burn making you slimmer. Turning food calories into usable energy is a very complex task and requires proper nutrients from food. Specifically, certain vitamins and minerals are crucial in facilitating efficient metabolism and include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 & C. If your body doesn’t get a constant supply of these micronutrients it will put brakes on your metabolism making it sluggish and depleting you of energy. Goji berries have 21 minerals and vitamins which are essential in boosting your metabolic rate.

Another secret of Goji berries in keeping your body weight in check is found in the polysaccharides, carbohydrates consisting of many sugar units. Goji berries have a balanced polysaccharide profile balancing blood sugar and insulin response, giving your energy instead of depleting it by the process of digestion and assimilation. Goji also contains betaine, which can prevent fatty liver disease and vascular damage often seen in diabetics. Complete nutritional profile of Goji assists all the cells in the body in converting the nutrients you eat into functional work instead of depositing calories as fat. Taken on a regular basis, Goji facilitates your metabolism while pumping up your vitality and keeping you slim and trim.

Boost Your Immunity
Your immune system is the amazing mechanism inside your body that protects you against millions of viruses, bacteria, microbes, toxins and parasites. These foreign agents are always on the lookout for your weak moment so they can conquer your immunity and invade the body. Your immune cells have many roles – some of them are your body guards, others are garbage collectors, some are soldiers and commanders and yet others are weapons themselves. Immune cells can also activate the hypothalamus, part of the brain that controls both physical and mental stress. If you’re chronically overtrained or stressed, your pituitary and adrenal glands begin to constantly pump out a lot of stress hormones which may break down cells faster than they can be renewed, increase your heart rate, steal your sleep and prevents tissue growth. Eventually, your immune system stops fighting making you vulnerable to many infections and diseases.

In Asia, Goji is used as an adaptogen, natural substance that helps the body combat stress. Taking berries or the juice may increase stamina, exercise tolerance and endurance, eliminate fatigue, and assist in recovering from illness.

Many dietary strategies can be applied to strengthen the immune system, such as eating a lot of fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water. However, Goji berries have deservably earned their way to top this list. Having more vitamin C than oranges, greater antioxidant power than anything you’ve ever eaten, and even outnumber carrots for the beta carotene content, these unique plant is your true potent immunity booster! Sugars in Goji berries enhance and balance the activity of all classes of immune cells making you more resistant to all potential illnesses.

Slow Down Aging
Of all known foods, Goji berries contain the highest levels of antioxidants that minimize free radical damage of our body cells . Free radicals, the unstable oxygen molecules, are the well-known cause of aging.These harmful molecules stem from our environment and lifestyle choices including smoking, pollution, eating fatty and sugary foods, even physical activity and breathing. However, free radicals also play an important role in a number of biological processes necessary for life, such as the killing of bacteria. Even though it is unnecessary to completely eliminate the free radical effects on our bodies, it is possible to neutralise the damaging activity by taking antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, lutein, lycopene, and carotenoids.

Taking Goji has been shown to stimulate the production of the enzyme that neutralizes free radicals. Goji berries boast to have more antioxidants than any other food! Even blueberries, the next most potent antioxidant powerhouse, fall behind Goji. Scoring highest on the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale for their antioxidant activity, Goji berries are unique in their health protective profile due to the sugars found in the plant. These stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone (hGH) which regulates the division of all the cells in the body and promotes growth of new tissues, helps to slow down aging, reduce body fat, improve sleep, enhance memory, accelerate healing, restore libido, and give you a more youthful appearance.

Protect Against Cancer
Cancer results due to the abnormal growth of body cells causing lesions that can spread to other parts of the body. This may obstruct vital functions and even be fatal. Scientists discovered that certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies may lead to abnormal cell behavior creating a fertile environment for cancer cells to grow. Most cancers are caused by various carcinogens, such as toxins, smoke and poor diet, which may damage DNA. Giving the body cells the vital nutrients they need may help to protect their vitality keeping you healthy and Goji berries may help.

They have essential Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals all paramount in cancer prevention. Goji is a rare plant that contains the anti-cancer mineral germanium. The results of several scientific studies suggest that polysaccharide-protein complex of Goji berries may prevent and fight cancer by stimulating the immune system. Goji berries have shown to inhibit the growth of human leukemia cells thus protecting against the disease. Researches found that sugars in Goji berries made a standard cancer drug (LAK/L-2) more effective at reducing tumors. When polysaccharides were taken with the drug, the potency of treatment was increased by 254 per cent as compared to the drug taken alone.

Safeguard Your Health
Goji berries have different compounds that may help you to maintain good health and assist the body in different healing processes. Flavonoids lower cholesterol, prevent hypertension and minimize inflammation, carotenoids may protect against macular degeneration and cataracts and other organic compounds assist liver function. The fruit may be used as a digestive aid, particularly beneficial in insufficient stomach acid production.

Scientists continue their exploration of the many benefits of Goji berry, but warn that this food should be used for therapeutic purposes only. When taken in prescribed moderate amounts (depending on the source of supplement), the Happy berries are non-toxic and will bring you vitality. But more is not always better, and this is certainly the case here. Toxicity studies showed that injection of 2.4 grams of lycium fruit extract per kg of body weight did not cause adverse reactions. However, taking 25 g/kg, or ten times the dose, caused rapid toxic reactions.

Just as important as eating a balanced diet, addition of Goji to your regimen may have other natural advantages that are not yet known.