Goji Berries : the longevity superfood

Goji berries are the true heroes of this incredible story: once upon a time there was an old wise Chinese Master who lived very simply and had a particular talent to survive on a frugal diet. He was so enlightened that he is said to have lived until the ripe old age of 256 years, had 23 wives and fathered over 200 children.

Master Li Ching Yuen was born in 1677 in China and started as a Herbologist at the age of 10. In 1749, as he was still a young lad of 71 years old, he joined the Chinese Army as a Martial Art teacher.

 

So myth or reality, frankly I do not have the answer to that question. Now Master Li had a few secrets among which his daily habit of eating Goji berries. Goji Berries are native from the Himalayan Mountains and have been used as a medicinal food for 300 years.

Goji berries have many benefits to offer

• As a powerful anti-ageing and beauty

Chinese researchers found that when Goji berries are used as dietary supplements, people actually grow younger. Goji berries are the only food known to stimulate more growth hormones thus promoting life expectancy. In the The Ningxia Hui region of Northern China—where goji berries are grown and eaten daily—there are 16 times as many centenarians (people 100 years old or older) as the rest of the country.

• Eye health

Goji berries are the ONLY food to contain zeaxanthin as well as lutein, which strengthen and protect the tiny capillary to the eyes and are traditionally used to prevent eye infection, tiredness, blurred vision, macular degeneration, cataracts and generally for better vision.

• Healthy heart

The flavonoids contained in goji berries strengthen vessel walls and improve their flexibility reducing cardio vascular disease risk and hypertension. Goji berries also lowers bad cholesterol and improve bad circulation by preventing blood thickening.

• Joint health

Goji berries are anti-inflammatory and its beta-sitosterol and linoleic acid help with joint health and mobility.

• Good stress relief

Goji berries are a great adaptogen supporting the adrenal glands so the body deals with stress more easily. They also enhance stamina, energy and libido.

It would have sufficed to say that Goji berries have 500 times more vitamin C than an orange, a complex of B vitamins, vitamins A & E, 19 amino acids and a multitude of health giving carbohydrates and proteins.

How to consume goji berries

Two dessert spoons a day is a good quantity. Prefer the organic version, you can add them in smoothies, ice cream, cereals, porridge, salads, chocolate. I actually use them as a sweetener for my recipe of protein breakfast. Just replace the tea in this recipe by coconut water, the dates by two dessert spoons of goji berries and add a banana. Delicious!
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Green superfoods are also a good addition to Goji berries. There is no healthy diet without superfood, the key is to select the right ingredients, the A-team of superfoods to include in your nutrition.