Goji Berry Advance Weight Loss
What Are the Nutritional Benefits and Side Effects of Goji Berries?
Goji berry is a kind of fruit found mostly in temperate and subtropical regions particular in Asian countries like China, Mongolia and Himalayas Mountain in Tibet. The fruit’s appearance is usually red and dried that looks like red raisins. Its product forms are commonly in juices, teas, dried fruits, snack bars and many more. Chinese people use this fruit as a medicinal herb and main food ingredient for thousand years. Although considered as one of the exotic fruits, goji berry becomes popular nowadays because of its numerous nutritional benefits so that’s why it is also called a “superfruit”. Below are some important health benefits of goji berries as well as their side effects on humans.
Goji berries contain antioxidant compounds that boost the immune system. Antioxidants attack free radicals that are responsible for producing cancer and signs of aging. Through this, goji berries lengthen the human strength and lifespan. Like other berries, they are also rich in Vitamin C that hastens the healing of wounds and improves body resistance.
These Asian berries contain essential amino acids that are the building blocks of protein. Protein is one of the nutrients necessary for human growth and metabolism. Trace minerals like calcium (responsible for strengthen of bones), iron (helps to supply blood), zinc (synthesizes protein and DNA) and selenium (improves metabolism of thyroid hormones) are also found in these fruits. A person who is suffering from poor eye vision can take goji berries since these are good sources of beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Beta-carotene and zeaxanthin compounds aid in the blurring of eye vision and prevent the development of cataracts.
Goji berries also normalize functions of internal organs and lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Other significant health benefits of goji berries are: 1) preventing hair falls and graying, 2) assisting body’s weight loss, 3) arousing sexual activity especially for men, 4) nourishing the skin and protecting it from sun’s UV rays, 4) lowering body stress and tiredness, and 5) curing headaches and insomnia.
Although goji berries are nutritional fruits, yet there are some side effects if these aren’t consumed properly. Goji berries are not advisable to eat when a person undergoes drug medication because there will be a dangerous herb-drug interaction if the drug’s components are not compatible with the berry. Examples of drugs that are incompatible with goji berries are warfar in (blood thinner) and drugs that treat diabetes and blood pressure. If an individual has an allergy to pollen, he must not eat these berries. Goji berries should consume moderately.
An excessive intake of these fruits might result in sleep deprivation. Symptoms triggered by the overdose of alkaloid atropine (one of the berries’ components) are vomiting, mouth drying, blurred vision and confusion. Overdose of selenium, which is also one of the berries’ components, can cause birth defects, women’s infertility, nerve damage and gastrointestinal problems.
The health benefits of goji berries make these berries stand out from other common berries so that’s why these are one of the in-demand fruits in western countries today. But before consuming goji berries, seek first health care provider’s advice and take these fruits in moderation as these have side effects especially when interacting with drugs.
