Goji powder comes with a range of potential health benefits, including improved immune function and improved eye, skin, and brain health. We’ll discuss some great benefits of this standout ingredient and recommend one of the best wellness brands on the market.
When you think of red berries, strawberries and raspberries may come to mind. However, goji berries are another vibrant red fruit berry that is full of valuable nutrients. They’re native to China, but people from all around the world incorporate goji berries into their diets, adding them to cereals, granola bars, and more. When goji berries are ground into a powder, they can be used as an ingredient in various shakes, meals, and treats.
Keep reading for an in-depth look at goji powder benefits. However, before adding goji berries to your diet, be sure to consult your doctor to see if the fruit might interact with your medications, especially if you take blood thinners.
5 Great Goji Powder Benefits You Should Know About is an original (MedNewsPedia) article.
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Goji powder benefits:
Antioxidant support
Goji berries are high in antioxidants, which combat free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that form during the body’s energy production process. Excessive amounts of free radicals in the body can cause damage to other cells, potentially increasing the risk of cancer and other diseases.
Antioxidants protect against cell damage and contribute to reducing inflammation in the body. Eating foods high in antioxidants, such as goji berries, may be helpful in maintaining cell health, making goji products an attractive choice.
Goji powder benefits:
Vitamin levels
Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant, and goji berries are rich in this vitamin, as well as vitamin A. Approximately 100 grams of dried goji berries (around the size of half a tangerine) contains almost 50 milligrams of vitamin C. For men, this represents over half the daily value, which is the recommended amount of a nutrient to be consumed per day. For women, 100 grams of dried goji berries can provide 66% of the daily value.
The body uses vitamin C to heal itself and form essential cells, like blood vessels and muscles. A deficiency in vitamin C can cause your body to bruise and bleed more easily.
Moreover, consuming just 100 grams of goji berries provides approximately 26,800 IU (International Units) of vitamin A. IU is the globally standardized measurement for assessing the ‘biological effects’ of a vitamin dose. This amount of vitamin A is more than enough to satisfy the recommended daily value for both sexes. However, it’s important to note that consuming too much vitamin A can be toxic to the body.
Vitamin A is important for cell function, particularly in growth and division, and in supporting the immune system. It also contributes to maintaining vision and eye health. A deficiency in vitamin A can result in severe eye dryness, night blindness, and the formation of patches on the whites of the eyes.
Goji powder benefits for eye health
Goji powder offers several benefits for eye health. A study found that eating about a handful of goji berries five times a week for 90 days resulted in increased levels of protective pigments in the eyes. These berries have high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds that play a role in reducing the risk of several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults, typically starting around age 55 and affecting around 170 million people worldwide.
Goji powder benefits for skin health
The abundance of vitamin A in goji berries can contribute to the production of retinol, which is a different form of the vitamin. Retinol specifically helps the skin by stimulating cell regeneration and production, leading to a reduction in the appearance of several skin concerns, like wrinkles, acne scars, or hyperpigmentation. Retinol is also effective in treating acne, as it helps prevent clogged pores.
Simply put, goji berries, along with their anti-inflammatory properties, provide protection and support for skin health.
Goji powder benefits:
Rich in minerals
Goji berries are a source of several nutritional minerals, including potassium, iron, and zinc. Minerals are vital to maintaining various aspects of the human body: calcium is used in creating bones and teeth, while other minerals help regulate the body’s acidity levels. They contribute to tissue structure, regulate certain bodily processes, and aid in the release of energy from food.
Certain minerals also function as electrolytes, which maintain water balance in the body and provide the appropriate pressure to cells and their surrounding fluid. You may have come across the term ‘electrolytes’ in reference to post-workout drinks. One electrolyte found in goji berries is potassium.
Regarding the specific minerals found in goji berries, iron is an important nutrient as it’s a necessary component of hemoglobin, a protein that stores and carries oxygen in the bloodstream. The body needs zinc to support the immune system, cell division and growth, and to break down carbohydrates.
Goji berries also contain trace amounts of copper and manganese. Copper helps with forming red blood cells, while manganese assists with digestion and inflammation.
The best ways to get goji powder benefits
So, what’s the best way to reap these benefits? You can eat goji berries regularly, dried or as a powder. Many companies sell goji powder as it’s easier to add to smoothies or drinks and combine with other beneficial foods. Nuzest, for example, offers a powder that combines goji berries with several other ingredients, including vitamin B and magnesium. Their Good Green Vitality powder contains 24 different vitamins and minerals, supporting the body in ways that goji powder alone can’t.
Trevor Bolland founded Nuzest with the aim of helping his daughter, Monique, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Determined not to accept a bleak diagnosis, they searched for answers all around the world and found themselves in a small naturopathic clinic in Texas.
“We spent about six to eight weeks there, where she just focused on getting her mind and her body right,” Bolland says. “We learned during that period that nutrition was particularly important, that nutrition and lifestyle were the key to wellness.”
While it’s not a cure for multiple sclerosis, it has helped Monique manage her condition, according to Bolland. Drawing from what they learned in their journey, they created a range of plant-based supplements to support individuals in similar positions and anyone seeking to live healthier.
Goji powder benefits:
Final thoughts
This small fruit from China may not be as well known as other red berries, but the goji berry packs a nutritional punch. Its high level of antioxidant and mineral content allows it to support several key systems of the human body. However, exercise caution when adding any new ingredient into your diet, particularly with goji berries if you take blood thinners or certain medications. It may be worth asking your doctor if goji berries, whether dried, fresh, or powdered, are suitable for you.
Further reading:
Medical News Today: What are the health benefits of goji berries?
Sutter Health: The Health Benefits of Goji Berries
National Library of Medicine: Health Benefits and Applications of Goji Berries in Functional Food Products Development
Important Note: The information contained in this article (5 Great Goji Powder Benefits You Should Know About) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
