Happy Wednesday morning bloggers! It is a rainy, rainy, day here in central Florida so what better time to discuss one of our best selling berries, the "Goji Berry". First lets get the misconceptions off the table. For all those sites claiming the "Ultimate Miracle" from their magic goji please beware. As the goji does in fact have some fascinating nutrients which we will discuss here one should not be mislead by false claims from people just looking for the quick sale. Also note for the best health benefits from the goji berry one should purchase the berries whole and organic if at all possible as opposed to the much publized ready to drink and mostly diluted goji juices. Many of these juices are diluted and contain non organic goji berries which may have been subjected to pesticides and other fertilizers.
The scientific name for goji berry also known as "wolfberry" is Lycium barbarum, and the popularly used name "goji" from the common Chinese name for the berry. Some claim there are two forms of the berry namely Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense, whose fruit is called the goji berry; other sites insist there is only one species, Lycium barbarum. Claims for more than one or two species may be just marketing ploys. The exact origin of the goji plant is unknown, and although goji berries are reportedly grown in several different areas of the world, any goji berries you purchase will most likely come from China, where the berry has been used in traditional herbal medicine for about two thousand years.
The goji berry has been used as a medicinal food for thousands of years, and has been studied extensively in modern times for its health benefits. With over 15% protein, 21 essential minerals, 18 amino acids, and one of the highest amounts of beta carotene, the goji berry is a nutrient-dense superfood in a class all its own. Perhaps the most important nutrient in goji berries though is its polysaccharides, most notably the lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP). Studies show that LBP polysaccharides are exceptional sources of the essential cell sugars necessary for proper immune function and inter cellular communication. These polysaccharides can enhance health in a variety of ways, including helping cancer patients rebuild their natural defenses, improving DNA restoration and repair, and maintaining normal cell growth; and they may help slow the aging process.
Try a small handful of goji berries in your health drink, on your salad, in your tea, in your muffins or pies, or included in any drink/food recipe! See for yourself how much better you will feel after 2 weeks of using these amazing berries on a daily basis!
You can get our organic certified goji berries on sale now at our Florida Herb House in Port Orange, FL or online at http://www.sharpweblabs.com/ or http://www.floridaherbhouse.com/. Thanks for visiting our blog and have a great day!
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