What Are Goji Berries?

Goji berries are also commonly known in English as wolfberries, but have a number of other names as well, and are mostly marketed as the goji berry. They are brightly colored red, elliptical berries that grow on one to three meter high bushes. These bushes grow naturally in China and Mongolia, but most of those seen in the west come out of China.

Although gogi berries have been used in China since the seventh century or earlier, the goji berry has only been used in the west in recent years but is quickly becoming very popular as a health food. It holds status as a superfruit because of it's high mineral, vitamin, antioxidant, and protein content. These berries have many other macro and micronutrients and are very healthy.

Although it is true that the berries are undoubtedly good for you, they are sometimes marketed with the claim that they prevent breast cancer or other such diseases, when in fact, no conclusive studies have been done to determine the validity of this claim. There are many other health benefits claims made by marketers of the berries which have been held traditionally for hundreds of years in China, such as that they help eyesight, strengthen muscles, improve circulation, protect the liver and increase life expectancy.

These berries are about 1-2 centimeters in length. They have a sour-sweet taste and are used in China in rice dishes, soups and to make tea. In the regions of China where they grow, north-central and western, the berries might be sold as fresh berries. However, for export, the berries are usually sold dried, in which case they look like red raisins, and may have the same texture, or be hard, or in the form of juice, or powder.

The fruit goji became popularized as a juice. It is generally sold in 32 ounce bottles and it claims to have some major health benefits. For this reason, and the necessary import of the product, the juice is very expensive, about $50 per bottle (which should last 18 days). This juice was first sold in multi level marketing, and has since become available at many health food stores and is marketed on the Internet.

As a superfruit, there is not question that this berry is fascinating. It's health properties and nutritive value are certain, and in an age where everyone is looking for the key to a longer, healthier life, it definitely provides the answers many are looking for. However, this is mostly from a people's experience and testimonials, and therefore comes more from the marketing perspective. Many tests and experiments need to be conducted clinically in order to determine what exactly the effects of eating this berry are, both long term and short term.

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