9 Benefits of Eating Goji Berries ...

One of the many benefits of eating goji berries is they are surprisingly high in protein! This isn’t to say you can substitute a goji berry smoothie for grilled chicken, but compared to other fruits goji berries are pretty high on the protein scale. They’re the only fruit that’s a complete protein, meaning that eating it on its own will provide you with the full range of amino acids you need to keep you strong and lean. Like I said, goji berries certainly can’t replace a protein shake. But if you add them into your diet on a regular basis or are trying to increase protein intake, this is certainly one of the better fruits to eat.

Chinese and other East Asian cultures have used goji berries for hundreds, if not thousands of years as part of their medical practice. Goji berries have long been held as the secret to a youthful glow and long, luminous locks. Chinese medicine specifically prescribes consuming goji tea or goji water as a way to reduce hair loss in women—even reversing gray hairs! Try consuming goji products on a regular basis in your youth. This is a great way to potentially prevent gray hairs in the future.

Many of us look to spinach and other leafy greens as a source of iron. But did you know goji berries can pack almost twice as much iron than a one cup serving of raw spinach? Organic goji berries are super mineral rich, making them a good source of calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals you’re often deficient in. If you’re trying to find natural ways to get more iron and other minerals into your diet, give goji berries a try.

If you’re looking to get more Vitamin A, goji berries are another great food to eat. They have one of the highest levels of beta-carotene, the chemical our body metabolizes into Vitamin A. That’s actually what gives them their ruby red color! You might get bored of eating carrots, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers, which are three foods that people tend to gravitate towards if they’re looking for dietary sources of Vitamin A. Now you know goji berries are also part of the Vitamin A family.

Do you struggle with digestive problems? Or do you find that no matter how much you eat, you’re always hungry? Chances are your fiber intake levels are low. Adding fiber rich fruits like goji berries can help curb your hunger. Add dried goji berries to smoothies, cereals, and even yogurt to boost fiber levels and keep you full. Remember the fiber isn’t just for weight loss! If you suffer from Crohn's Disease, IBS, or some other kind of stomach ailment, goji berries could help alleviate some of your symptoms.

If you keep up with the latest health and fitness trends, you’ll know that everyone has been obsessed with detoxing lately. While I’m still on the fence about juice fasts and other programs that are potentially too restrictive, if you are detoxing then goji berries are one of the best foods to incorporate into your meal plan. Goji berries specifically help the kidneys and liver, which is important since these organs will be working very hard to rid your body of all the toxins in it. Whenever you’re detoxing, look to goji berries as a way to nourish your liver and kidneys.

Who isn’t busy these days? Between work, family, friends, household chores, and preparing dinner every night, some days I’m lucky if I get to shave my legs! For those of you who are constantly on-the-go, goji berries make a fantastic portable snack. I travel frequently for my job, and often it’s difficult to pack foods that will make it through security checkpoints at airports. Goji berries require no refrigeration and can be eaten almost anywhere. Pack them in your car for your next road trip or your suitcase for your next flight.

Another fantastic benefit of goji berries is how you can use them in so many different ways. You can of course eat dried goji berries straight from the package. But goji berries also work in a variety of recipes like cookies and waffles. I personally enjoy making a tea out of them. Simply pour boiling water over a few tablespoons of goji berries. Let them steep for a few minutes then add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. You’ll instantly have a detoxifying and invigorating morning drink that could easily replace your coffee.

What if I told you there was a way to reverse aging? Try as we might, none of us will ever be Benjamin Button, so it’s important to fight premature aging as long as we can. Goji berries are one of the top foods when it comes to staying younger longer and having a healthy, youthful glow. Full of antioxidants, they help prevent DNA damage and thus the development of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. If you want to turn back the hands of time, give goji berries a shot!

Goji berries are just one of many foods that are extremely nutrient-dense and good for you! You can truly use them in many ways and in dozens of recipes. Whether it’s a tea, a smoothie, or a breakfast cookie, you can find plenty of ways to squeeze goji berries into your diet. What are some of your favorite ways to eat this delicious fruit?