Goji Fruit - The Key to Good Health

The Goji fruit is also known as the Chinese wolfberry, the Boxthorn, the Matrimony Vine and the Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree. Its scientific name is the lyceum barbarum and it has been renowned in traditional Chinese medicine for over thousands of years. The fruit has even been linked to Shen Nung, the First Emperor in China and the father of agriculture. He was also an herbalist who lived during 2,800 BC.

They are woody and perennial plants, usually growing about one to three meters in height. The fruit contains about ten to thirty small seeds and an embryo. It typically grows in Asia, particularly in the Western part of China and some areas of Tibet and Mongolia. The highest quality fruit is said to be found only in the highest points of the Himalayan mountains.

The fruit is small and red and can be eaten straight from picking it, dried or made into juice. The taste has been likened to that of raisins, although a bit sharper especially when it is dried. Chinese recipes also make it an ingredient in soups and it can also be made into wine. The leaves of the plant are also eaten as a vegetable.

Goji Fruit - Health Benefits from a Tiny Berry

The Goji fruit may fool you with its tiny size but it is known to bring numerous health benefits including a longer life, better digestion and a more regular sleeping schedule. The mere fact that the average age of the members of a Himalayan tribe who are fond of eating the fruit is 100 should be enough to prove that it helps contribute to longevity. Depression and sexual dysfunction are unknown illnesses to the same Himalayan tribe, which can also be attributed to the numerous benefits that the fruit brings.

The fruit is also known to help you in losing weight and decrease the risk of getting cataracts. The fruit contains as many as eighteen amino acids, eleven essential minerals and twenty-two trace minerals. It is known as an antioxidant meant for the prevention of cancer of the liver and leukemia. It is also an excellent aid in combating fatigue as well as in giving your body added protection for other kinds of diseases.

The fruit also has carotenoids, which is transformed into Vitamin A for the body. Vitamin A is excellent for improving your eyesight and guarding against macular degeneration. In fact, this fruit does a better job than carrots at providing you with carotenoids. You may even be surprised to know that the Goji fruit contains more Vitamin C than oranges and even more protein than whole wheat. The fruit also has the essential fatty acids that your body requires for hormone production.

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