Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Some legends report that goji berries were eaten by monks in the Himalayan Mountains thousands of years ago and steeped in hot water to help aid meditation and obtain greater health, vitality, longevity, energy and stamina.

Low in calories, fat-free, a good source of fiber and a high-antioxidant food, goji berry benefits include the ability to help you fight disease, effectively manage your weight and experience better digestion. Usually eaten raw, dried, or in liquid or powder form, versatile goji berries contain a wide range of phytonutrients, vitamins and trace minerals, giving them the name “superfood berries” by many health experts.

What Are Some Proven Goji Berry Benefits?

The “wolfberry fruit,” as goji berries are known in China, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since around 200 B.C.

Goji berries — with the scientific name is Lycium barbarum — have been extensively researched for their ability to generate general feelings of well-being, improve neurologic/psychologic traits, support better gastrointestinal health and bowel functions, help build stronger musculoskeletal systems, and improve cardiovascular health. They’re easy to add to meals to boost energy levels and performance.

Goji berry benefits include the ability to naturally treat diabetes, hypertension, infectious diseases, and common illnesses like the cold or a fever. Traditionally, they’ve also been used to fight depression and anxiety or other mood disorders. They’re a great source of antioxidants known as beta-carotene, plus other phytonutrients that help protect skin and eye health. Thanks to their ability to reduce blood glucose, regulate cholesterol levels and keep triglycerides at an ideal balance, they’re also shown to prevent heart disease.

Goji Berry Nutrition Facts

The USDA doesn’t offer nutrition facts for goji berries, and it’s believed that they vary widely depending on the type, how fresh they are and how they’re preserved. Different sources claim that goji berry benefits include varying degrees of nutrients, but below is a range of the vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals present in goji berries.




How to Use

They make a great addition to most herbal tea recipes and can likewise be incorporated into soups, stews and cooked grains, like rice, quinoa or oatmeal.





You can eat them dried, of course, by the handful like raisins and still retain many antioxidants and other nutrients. They taste like a cross between cherries and raspberries with a mostly sweet, but slightly salty taste. They are great in trail mixes with other berries or nuts 



The dried berries can also be added to smoothies, desserts and are actually a nice addition to homemade ferments like kimchi and kombucha. Often it is best to soak or reconstitute them for several minutes in water before blending them into foods and drinks.



Their higher protein content makes a great addition to a protein shake or homemade protein bars. We use them in our kale salad, goji berry lemonade, carrot cake, fire cider and superfood ice cream recipes.


      

Goji berries are also available as a ground freeze-dried powder, which is more convenient for some people. Or, they can be similarly ground as dried berries in a high speed blending device, but this produces a coarser fruit powder consistency.














Goji Berry Fudge