5 Ways Red Goji Berries Can help Your Health

1 Goji berries are rich in carotenoids that are beneficial
For eye health. If you seek a delectable way to enhance your vision, consider goji berries as an alternative to carrots. Goji berries are a great source of both lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are carotenoids. These antioxidant plant pigments give vegetables and fruits (including goji berries) their bright red-orange colour.

More specifically, carotenoids help to combat oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute towards eye damage, in accordance to the findings of registered dietitian, Joanna Foley, RD. In reality, a study published in Nutrients journal in 2021 revealed that individuals who consume goji berries on a regular basis have a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration – a primary cause of blindness in the elderly.

Li X, Holt RR, Keen CL, Morse LS, Yiu G, Hackman RM. Goji berry intake increases macular pigment optical density in healthy adults: a randomized pilot trial. Nutrients.

2 Goji berries are abundant in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E.

If you aim to consume more antioxidants, goji berries can aid in that pursuit. Goji berries provide various antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene, to name a few.2 Prolonged exposure to high levels of free radicals may result in chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes.

“Goji berries have a higher amount of antioxidants than other regular fruits like kiwi, raspberries, and oranges,” says Foley. This is important because antioxidants combat free radicals – unsteady molecules that can accumulate in cells through smoking, environmental pollution, stress, and other causes. Nevertheless, consuming a healthy amount of antioxidants, whether from goji berries or other sources, can reduce the risk of acquiring such diseases.

3 Goji berries provide dietary fibre which helps maintain gut health.

Fruits in general are high in fibre, and goji berries are no exception. The USDA states that only 5 tablespoons of dried goji berries contain almost 4 grams of fibre – more than a cup of strawberries. Improvement: Improving your digestive tract is likely if you consume fibre, which helps to regulate stool volume and frequency.

4 Goji berries may assist with regulating blood glucose levels, although further

research is necessary to validate this claim. Some data suggests that goji berries’ polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate, may help to decrease blood glucose among those suffering from type 2 diabetes. Goji berry substances were found to raise the insulinogenic index, which stimulates insulin production. This discovery was made by Amy Moyer, a registered dietitian and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. Insulin is an important hormone that helps manage blood sugar in the body. In addition, studies on rats and mice show that goji berries have a blood sugar-lowering effect. Further research involving humans is needed.

5 Goji berries are packed with immune-boosting substances

Including vitamin C. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, according to Moyer. Goji berries have nutrients that boost the immune system, including vitamin C. Moyer reports that these berries are rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which battle free radicals and reinforce immunity. The mentioned berries have significant nutrients like vitamin C and zinc which play a vital role in immune-related cellular pathways. Five tablespoons of goji berries give you more than 15% of the vitamin C that women ought to take every day. Vitamin C helps white blood cells find and eradicate harmful bacteria, ensuring our cells stay healthy.

Bright red goji berries are incredibly nutritious and are now considered one of the most valuable “superfoods,” among well-known berries. We spoke with dietitians to learn about the numerous eye-opening health benefits of goji berries, and why you should consume them.

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