Fat Loss 4 Idiots Opinion

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Discover Goji Berry Benefits For Improved Health

By Maddie Tregonning

Goji berry benefits are derived from a wide variety of antioxidants and nutrients and the much sought after subtropical fruit is also known by names such as the wolfberry, among a few others.

Found growing in naturally warm, subtropical regions within both China and Mongolia as well as in Tibet's Himalayas, Goji berries look like small, red raisins but contain perhaps the most nutrients of any single fruit on Earth.

Usually found dried, they have a distinct and slightly tangy taste and are members of the Solonaceae or nightshade family. As they are rather fragile fruits, so the berries must be carefully harvested by hand.

The benefits that have garnered the most attention derive from the fruit's complex chains of sugars known as polysaccharides, which are said to support the immune system. And, the polysaccharides found within Goji berries are also known to be an excellent source of probiotic fiber. Probiotic fibers are the fermented portions of soluble fibers that have been processed in the intestines into what are called short-chain fatty acids, or SCFAs. These acids then provide nutrients to the probiotics within the intestinal tract, helping the body with functions such as digestion and the absorption of vital nutrients.

Also considered to be a tonic that keeps the body's vital organs and energy sources in tune, Goji berries continue to offer plentiful health benefits years after their discovery.

Highly regarded as China's national treasure, the Goji berry is finally getting much needed attention in the West. Containing an impressive concentration of iron, the berries are also important to the circulatory system.

Grown predominantly in China and Tibet, particularly in the northwestern hills and mountains where the soil is said to be some of the purest on earth, Goji berries grow on an evergreen bush known as the Lycium plant that features vines reaching as high as 15 feet. Truly a remarkable food, these berries taste both sweet and sour and are commonly used in Chinese cooking for soups, in dishes containing rice, and also in teas. They are also often sold fresh throughout their native regions in Asia.

Richly steeped in Ancient Chinese medicine, the berries are indeed coveted because of their high number of antioxidants, but many aren't aware that they're also rather low in fat and calories but yet quite rich with both vitamins C and A (beta carotene).

Some people even regard the many Goji berry benefits as magical, probably because the fruit is widely regarded by many people to be the healthiest food you could ever eat.

Recently classified as a "health food" thanks to recent research that's proven their high concentration of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, Goji berries have been touted as a super fruit and demand is expected to reach an astonishing billion dollars in sales by the year 2011.

And because Goji berries are such small, fragile fruits, they must be slowly and carefully harvested by hand, and what's even more time consuming is that all of the berries must be processed into juice form within the first 24 to 48 hours following harvesting, in order to retain their many nutrients. - 17269

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