Goji berries are one of the rising stars of the health community. More attention is being paid to the healing properties of this cranberry-like fruit than ever before.
Given its status in Asia as a potential reason for extended life expectancies, it’s no wonder that products containing Goji berries are arriving on the market each and every day.
Why Is The Goji Berry Considered A Superfruit?
Dieticians and food experts take many approaches to classifying different foods as Superfoods. What makes the Goji berry stand out is its high concentration of antioxidants.
The United States Department of Agriculture determines this antioxidant level using their Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity (ORAC) scale. Goji berries have a score of 25,300 on the ORAC scale while common fruits you may eat such as apples only have a score of 218.
Here are 3 more exciting health benefits of Goji berries:
1. Repairs Free Radical Damage In Alzheimer’s PatientsAge-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s occur as a result of free radicals in the body. While you may not be able to see free radicals in action on a daily basis, you feel their results as you get older.
These free radicals are actually attacking your body from the inside as you read this. The worst of them can damage your DNA or cell membranes, causing the cells in your body to perform poorly or die altogether.
The antioxidant properties of Goji berries can actually repair damage to bodily issue, including brain tissue that is responsible for memory loss and Alzheimer’s.
2. Decreases Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
As we get older, we start to accept age-related conditions and think there’s nothing that can be done about them.
While it may be difficult to reverse issues such as poor eyesight, you can take action now to prevent conditions such as Macular Degeneration. This can be done by increasing the amount of carotenoids — one of our body’s natural defense systems.
Goji berries have a high concentration of carotenoids, the most important of them being zeaxanthin. Research suggests that zeaxanthin, along with lutein, actually protects the retina. When zeaxanthin amounts start to break down, the retina becomes more susceptible to disease and dysfunction. But
if you add a supplement like Goji berry to your diet that increases the amount of carotenoids like zeaxanthin, you can delay this break down or even prevent it for good.
3. Regulates Muscle Mass
Muscles are your best defense against weight management issues.
One of the reasons it’s harder to lose weight as you get older is that your muscle mass is starting to decrease. But adding Goji berries to your diet can actually help you maintain the muscle mass you do have — which is important if you don’t have the time to exercise as much as you would like.
When you are able to maintain your muscle mass, you are also able to keep up your metabolism. The higher your metabolism, the more you’re able to shed those extra pounds that you have wanted to get rid of for so long.
These nutritional and health benefits are just the beginning of how Goji berries can help you feel great and even live longer.
Since Goji berries are relatively new to the Western world, we are only beginning to find out the power of this Superfruit and how we can harness it for our own benefit.
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