Goji (pronounced go-gee) berry food products are quite the rage these days. They seem to be popping up everywhere, as either an ingredient in trail mix or crunch bars or alone as a juice, tea or dried fruit. Goji berries, or wolfberries as they are sometimes called, are far from a new food, though, having been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to cure a variety of ailments.

 

The nickname “Longevity Fruit” comes from the fact that in Northern China -Ningxia where the availability and consumption of the fruit is high, there are over 16 times the number of people over 100 years old as compared to the rest of the country. These centenarians tend to be much healthier and more active than their counterparts in Western culture.

 

Ancient folklore has it that a Chinese man who ate Goji berries lived to the ripe old age of 252 years! No wonder its known as the “Longevity Fruit”! One source has also coined the nickname “Hallelujah Berry.”

 

Is there any truth to these claims?

As is the case with many herbal and dietary supplements, sufficient scientific evidence to prove therapeutic benefits is not available yet.

 

Here’s what is known: Goji berries are nutritious foods that are considered pretty safe for everyone except for pregnant or lactating women. They should avoid consuming Goji berries until more is known about how this food actually works in the body. [ed’s note – from research I have conducted elsewhere, it seems that Goji berries are not only safe for pregnant and lactating women, but also recommended at a dose of 10g per day.]

 

It is recommended that individuals limit their consumption of Goji fruit to 10g to 30g per day, due to the selenium content which can be toxic at high intake levels.

 

It is believed that Goji berries may act to lower blood glucose, thus it is recommended that other herbs and supplements known to reduce blood sugar, such as ginger, kudzu and fenugreek, should not be consumed along with Goji berries in order to prevent hypoglycemia. As a precautionary measure, herbs such as ginger, ginseng, turmeric and valerian should also not be taken along with Goji fruits because of a possible combined anti-hypertensive effect.

 

Just how nutritious are Goji berries?

Consider this. Goji berries are rich sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. By weight, they contain 68% carbohydrate, 12% protein, 10% fat and 10% fiber, with 370 calories per 100g. They also contain 33 minerals, 18 amino acids and 6 vitamins.

 

Want more specifics? Take a look at these impressive facts:

Nutrient Content per 100g dried fruit*

 

Calcium - 112mg

Potassium - 1132mg

Iron - 9mg

Zinc - 2mg

Selenium - .05mg

Riboflavin - 1.3mg

Vitamin C - varies, 2mg –100mg

Beta-carotene - 7mg

Zeaxanthin - varies, 25mg –200 mg

 

This fruit is so good for you it must taste awful, right? Wrong. Goji berries have a flavor that is quite pleasing, like cranberries, raspberries and strawberries all wrapped up together.

 

Before you run out to the health foods store to buy some, keep in mind that Goji berry food products can be quite expensive. If you are willing to pay the price, tap into the nutritional powerhouse contained in Goji berries, maybe you’ll live to be 252, too!