8 Health Benefits of Goji Berries You Didn’t Know About
Updated: Jan. 27, 2020
You know it's crucial to get nutrient-rich berries into your diet—but don't stop at strawberries and blueberries. Goji berries might not be as common, but they're loaded with nutrients.
Healthy foods like quinoa, kale, and oats are staples at juice bars and eateries. Now, there’s a new food you might want to add to list of superfoods you eat: goji berries.
The fruit (and herb) has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Yet, it’s just starting to gain popularity in North America. Why? The antioxidant-rich food has a cornucopia of benefits that may boost your health.
Here are the benefits of the latest health food craze.
Good for your eyes
Could goji berries replace carrots on the list of foods that are good for eyesight? The berries are high in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, as well as the antioxidant zeaxanthin. This makes them a potential way to help protect against macular degeneration. “These antioxidants help to combat the damage done to the macula by UV light exposure and other oxidative stress,” says Los Angeles-based nutritionist Lauren Cornell, MS, RD. The fruit seems to help protect retinal cells in experimental models of glaucoma, according to a report in the journal Drug Design, Development, and Therapy.
High in fibre
“Goji berries are high in fibre, a nutrient that 95 percent of Americans don’t get enough of,” says Los Angeles-based nutritionist Mascha Davis, MPH, RD. “Fibre has tons of benefits, including lowering the risk of certain cancers and helping reduce and eliminate excess cholesterol and even toxins.” (Check out the foods that have even more fibre than broccoli.)
Keep you regular
“Since goji berries are considered a good source of fiber, they can help promote bowel movement regularity,” says Cornell. “They also provide nutrients such as vitamins A and C and minerals like zinc, iron, calcium, and selenium, which are necessary for the repair and regeneration of the tissue of the gastrointestinal lining.” (Check out other foods that’ll help keep you regular.)
Lots of iron
“These berries are also a good source of iron,” says Davis. Three tablespoons of dried goji berries provide about 3 mg or 15 percent of the recommended daily value. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, iron deficiency anemia is one of the more common deficiencies in the U.S., especially among women. “Adding goji berries to your diet can be a good way to boost this essential mineral,” adds Davis. (See other foods that are high in iron.)
Filled with antioxidants
One of the main goji berry benefits is that they may help fight disease and inflammation (like turmeric) since they are high in antioxidants. Goji berries score high on measurements of antioxidant capacity, says Davis. Adding, “this may even help to slow the aging process by keeping cells healthy.”
Boost immunity
If you’re looking to boost your immune system, turn to goji berries. “The fruit can help keep our immune system healthy and give us an extra boost to help ward off colds, the flu, and similar illnesses,” says Davis. “Vitamins C and A are critical to good immune health, and goji berries provide high amounts of both.” (Here are other foods that’ll boost your immune system.)
Deliver protein
If protein is a priority for you, Goji berries are a good choice. They are unique in that—unlike most fruit—they’re a good source of protein, delivering about a gram per tablespoon. They also contain 18 amino acids, including all eight essential amino acids, making them a great addition to everything from your breakfast oatmeal to salads. (Check out the best vegan protein sources.)
Increase energy
If there’s one thing many people crave, it’s extra energy. (Here are a few high-energy foods to try.) Goji berries could be on the list: A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that volunteers who drank goji berry juice daily for two weeks reported increased energy levels, improved athletic performance, better focus, and mental sharpness compared to those taking a placebo. “Goji berries can also speed up the clearance of blood urea nitrogen, a waste product we produce after strenuous exercise, making it extremely helpful for consumption prior to workouts,” says Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN, a nutritionist in Los Angeles.
Next, learn how strawberries can benefit your health.
Newsletter Unit
