The health benefits of goji berries have been recognized for centuries among the Tibetan and Himalayan monks. Individuals who consume these fruits have reported higher energy levels along with an increased sense of well-being. The goji berry is also referred to as the wolf berry and has been used to treat a wide range of health problems such as diabetes, fever, high blood pressure, and age-related eye problems throughout the ages.
Some research shows that eating berries such as the goji berry is beneficial because of the antioxidants they contain. The antioxidants found in these fruits may help prevent cancer and other illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants also have other beneficial effects such as boosting the immune system and lowering cholesterol. In addition, eating foods such as goji that are high in antioxidants can help slow the aging process. This is because it minimizes DNA damage from free radical molecules which can cause cells to grow abnormally.
These fruits are also rich in nutrients such as Vitamin A. Vitamin A is thought to enhance eye health. Other research suggests that goji berry extracts can boost brain health and may even be helpful in combating age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Yet other studies have shown that consuming goji berries results in an increased feeling of mental well-being, calmness, improves athletic performance, increases happiness, improves quality of sleep and results in an overall feeling of good health.
One of the chemical components that gives these fruits their positive effect is beta-sitosterol which is also referred to as cinchol. This chemical can decrease the size of overgrown cancer cells and induce aptoptosis (cell suicide) of tumor cells.
You might consider adding these fruits to your diet on a daily basis to ensure good health. This is relatively easy to do and is commonly done in Asia by eating these berries raw or drinking goji berry teas. You may be interested to know that these fruits also benefit heart health because they are natural vasodilators. Vasodilators are also good for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in both males and females. Studies also show that the beta-sitosterols in goji berries help reduce the absorption of LDL cholesterol. Either way, you should certainly consider adding this food to your diet because they are a low calorie snack that have a wide range of health benefits and certainly taste better than many types of fruit!
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Health-Benefits-of-Goji-Berries&id=7263216