I just love Goji berries. They are also known as wolfberries and have been used as a medicinal plant since ancient China. They are a good source of vitamins, including vitamins (A and C) essential minerals, and antioxidants such as zeaxanthin.

These berries also contain all 8 essential amino acids providing a surprising amount of protein as for fruit.

The carbohydrates in Goji berries are complex carbs. This means your blood sugar will raise slowly, reducing your risk of a sugar crash afterwards.
Their nutrition value as a low-calorie, low-sugar option makes them a perfect substitute to other dried fruits with higher sugar content. A one ounce serving of goji berries only has 23 calories and the Glycemic Index of Goji Berries is 29.

Goji berries have additional characteristics that help control blood sugar and appetite. They contain 21 percent fibre by weight. High fibre foods are filling and help to moderate blood sugar levels. The berries are a good source of chromium, a mineral that aids in blood sugar control. Chromium may also help to preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss. Muscle burns more calories than fat, promoting a more efficient metabolism, which makes it easier to prevent weight gain.

Goji berries are rich in several nutrients that help to convert food into energy rather than storing it as fat. Further, a balanced combination of essential minerals is necessary for efficient protein metabolism. In addition to calcium and chromium, Goji berries contain copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc.

Goji berries do not only help in a weight loss programme but they have many other health benefits, such as:

• supporting immune system
• supporting eye and skin health
• promoting lean muscle
• enhancing energy

Two amino acids (L-Arginine, L-Glutamine) and potassium in Goji berries help our bodies to produce more growth hormone, therefore, they can help to enhance libido and fertility.

These berries are good for overall wellbeing and you don’t need to force yourself to eat them because they are delicious!

Use them like raisins or fresh berries. Mix them into your breakfast cereal or yogurt, add them to trail mix, sprinkle over a salad or drink it as juice that can even be added to tea or smoothies.

Goji berries also taste great cooked, adding a savoury sweetness to hearty dishes. Plus, their vitamin C content also will help your body absorb the iron in your meals

Eating two or more servings of fruit daily is usually recommended for optimum health benefits, so add this berry in for a superfood boost to your 5 a day.

I prefer the Creative Nature Goji Berries as they are sulphite free and softer and tastier than other brands I have tried.

Written by Grazyna from our Putney store.