Goji berries are an orange-red fruit produced by the wolfberry plant, which is native to China. They have a mild sweet and sour taste and are slightly tart. The popularity of goji berries is linked to their naturally occurring antioxidants and rich nutrient content.
Traditional Chinese medicine has used goji berries for thousands of years. In recent years, goji berries have become increasingly popular in the West and are now commonly found in health food stores. Goji berries contain a range of vitamins, minerals, protein and antioxidants.
Goji berries contain vitamin C along with nutrients including calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and selenium.
Goji berries are also a source of fibre and carotenoids such as beta carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A and supports normal eye function. They also naturally contain small amounts of melatonin, a hormone involved in the body’s sleep wake cycle.
Additionally, though the goji berry is a fruit, it has a relatively high protein content of around 12 to 13%. Goji berries can form part of a varied and health conscious diet. These berries are frequently sold in dried form, with softer berries often preferred for texture and taste.
There are many ways to eat goji, including straight out of the bag. They are also tasty in trail mixes along with nuts, seeds and other dried fruits. Another healthy way to enjoy goji berries is to add them to smoothies after soaking the dried berries in water.
Goji berries can be added to a wide variety of snacks and meals, providing natural sweetness along with fibre and nutrients.
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