There’s an “old” berry making a new appearance and getting lots of attention.
Goji berries are small but powerful super berries gaining favor in Western countries after catching the attention of health enthusiasts.
These little but powerful super berries are said to be the most nutritionally dense fruit on Earth…that’s a big title to live up to.
A member of the night-shade Solonaceae family they are relatives to family favorites such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and potatoes as well as enemy poisonous plants such as belladonna and nightshade.
Native to the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet and Mongolia this super berry has been used in China and Tibet for its medicinal properties and as a culinary ingredient for thousands of years.
Why is this little Himalayan berry demanding so much attention again? Because health trends are taking us towards foods that offer us the most nutrition in return and the small but mighty goji berry does just that.
They have powerful antioxidant properties that boost the immune system, they’re loaded with vitamin C, offer more carotenoids than any other food including carrots, are high in healthy fiber and bring 21 trace minerals to the table. With 15 times more iron than spinach offers, you’ll get calcium, selenium, zinc and an assortment of other trace minerals as a bonus.
Studies suggest that lutein and zeaxanthin (both found in goji berries) are associated with better vision…another benefit that goji berries offer. It’s not surprising to find that they are doing extensive research on the cancer prevention properties of goji berries too and the findings so far suggest that they may slow the growth of cancer cells and lower cholesterol.
You’ll usually find goji berries in dried form. They are enjoyed as a snack by themselves and are favorite choices for healthy mixes like trail mix or muesli and great on oatmeal.
In more recent years with the resurgence/popularity of goji berries it became available as a health beverage, goji berry juice.
Chewy like raisins are and similar in size, this super fruit has a mild but tangy taste, slightly sweet and sour in nature.
For more exciting, healthy and sugar free recipes check out the newest addition to my recipe library:
“50 Desserts With Hidden Veggies”….
For more tools and resources from Carolyn Hansen to assist you in attaining your health and fitness goals and achieving the success you desire in life, please visit:
- 1 cup dried goji berries
- 1 cup nuts (your choice but both cashews and almonds work well)
- 1 cup dates
- ½ cup dried cranberries or cherries
- Add any or all of the following:
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ¼ cup pumpkin or other seeds
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon spirulina or chlorella
- dash of vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. of baking spices
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