Goji berries Nutritional Information,Goji health benefits

Goji berries Facts:

√ Goji berries contains 19 amino acids the building blocks of protein including eight that are essential for life.

√ Goji berries contains 21 trace minerals, including germanium, an anti-cancer trace mineral rarely found in foods.

√ Goji berries contains more protein than whole wheat (13 percent).

√ Goji berries contains a complete spectrum of antioxidant carotenoids, including beta-carotene (a better source than even

carrots!) and zeaxanthin (protects the eyes). Goji berries are the richest source of carotenoids of all known foods.

√ Goji berries contains Vitamin C at higher levels than even those found in oranges.

√ Goji berries contains B-complex vitamins, necessary for converting food into energy.

√ Goji berries contains Vitamin E (very rarely found in fruits, only in grains and seeds).

√ Goji berries contains Beta-Sitosterol, an anti-inflammatory agent. Beta-Sitosterol also lowers cholesterol and has been used to treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement.

√ Goji berries contains essential fatty acids, which are required for the body’s production of hormones and for the smooth functioning of the brain and nervous system.

√ Goji berries contains Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure, alleviates menstrual discomfort, and has been used in the treatment of cervical cancer.

√ Goji berries contains Solavetivone, a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound.

√ Goji berries contains Physalin, a natural compound that is active against all major types of leukemia. It has been shown to increase splenic natural killer cell activity in normal and tumor-bearing mice, with broad-spectrum anti-cancer effect. It has also been used as a treatment for hepatitis B.

√ Goji berries contains Betaine, which is used by the liver to produce choline, a compound that calms nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle growth, and protects against fatty liver disease. Betaine also provides methyl groups in the body’s energy reactions and can help reduce levels of homocysteine, a prime risk factor in heart disease. It also protects DNA.

 

 

The benefits in details :

Goji Berries are a very rich source of vitamin C, having 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than oranges, actually more almost than any fruit you could name. They are also a superb source of vitamin A, not surprising because they are a really pretty red color. Goji berries also have vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E; they are becoming a famous antioxidant.

They are also a rich source of both selenium and germanium and have hence been used in a number of clinical trials involving cancer patients. When given to patients undergoing chemotherapy, the berries conferred significant protection for the liver. In Oriental medicine, they are said to correct chi deficiency, meaning that people with low energy, insomnia, heart palpitations, and even anxiety are more comfortable after consuming goji berries. The berries have 18 amino acids (higher than bee pollen) and 21 trace minerals, linoleic acid, and more beta carotene than carrots.

In vitro studies suggest that goji berries kill many kinds of cancer cells. The mechanism whereby this happens is believed to involve some factor that inhibits the ability of the cell to divide, thus lowering its reproductive capacity. A large study in Japan suggested that tumor growth was inhibited by 58% among the patients eating goji berries as compared to the control groups. A study in Mongolia showed that patients eating the goji berries had a significant increase in lymphocyte activity and that their blood began to resemble that of much younger persons.

A polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum upregulates cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The production of cytokine is a key event in the initiation and regulation of an immune response. Many compounds are now used routinely to modulate cytokine production, and therefore the immune response, in a wide range of diseases, such as cancer. Interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are two important cytokines in antitumor immunity. In this study, the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-protein complex (LBP(3p)) on the expression of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and bioassay. Administration of LBP(3p) increased the expression of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha at both mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that LBP(3p) may induce immune responses and possess potential therapeutic efficacy in cancer.

Isolation and purification of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and its antifatigue effect

A purified component of lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP-X) was isolated from lycium barbarum L. by DEAE ion-exchange cellulose and sephacryl gel chromatography. LBP-X was tested on five different doses (5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg.kg-1.d-1) in mice. The results showed that LBP-X induced a remarkable adaptability to exercise load, enhanced resistance and accelerated elimination of fatigue. LBP-X could enhance the storage of muscle and liver glycogen, increase the activity of LDH before and after swimming, decrease the increase of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) after strenuous exercise, and accelerate the clearance of BUN after exercise. The dosage of LBP-X 10 mg.kg-1.d-1 was the best amount among the five tested doses.

Study on the composition of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and its effects on the growth of weanling mice

In order to observe the effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP-4) on the growth of weanling mice and the absorption of some metals in the their body, the composition of LBP-4 is determined. 120 female weanling mice are divided in random into 4 groups. They are fed on LBP-4 at the dose of 5, 10 and 20 mg/(kg.d) respectively. The taken feed weight and the body weight of mice are recorded everyday. After 21 days, the content of calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron in pygal muscles and femora of mice is determined. The results showed that LBP-4 is composed of six kinds of monosaccharides that can enhance food conversion rate and the content of zinc and iron in body of mice, and reduce the body weight.

Experimental research on the role of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide in anti-peroxidation

In this work, the changes in electrical parameters of cell membrane of Xenopus Oocytes were determined using routine microelectrode electrophysiological technique after incubation of the cells in frog Ringer solution containing free radical producing system for 6 hours. It was observed that the resting membrane potential was raised, and the membrane resistance and time constant were decreased. The effects of free radical on the cells can be prevented and reversed by incubation with superoxide dismutase or Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.

Top 10 Benefits of Polysaccharides

1) Polysaccharides inhibit tumor growth

2) Polysaccharides prevent cancer

3) Polysaccharides neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation

4) Polysaccharides help normalize blood pressure

5) Polysaccharides help balance blood sugar

6) Polysaccharides combat autoimmune disease

7) Polysaccharides act as an anti-inflammatory

8)Polysaccharides help balance immune function

9) Polysaccharides help lower cholesterol and blood lipids

10) Polysaccharides increase calcium absorption

 

Goji has a 3,000-year history in the Chinese and Eastern medical traditions. The Chinese have been growing this alkaline fruit for thousands of years, which is so revered that it has an annual two-week festival in its honor!