Goji Berry or Wolfberry

Wolfberry plants or goji berries (Lycium barbarum) can be found growing wild in Nepal and have recently received much renown in the West for the nutritional and curative properties associated with them. Goji berry juice can now be found in many health food stores in the West and is an excellent source of antioxidants. The goji berry plant is woody-stemmed large bush that grows between 1-3m tall. Depending on altitude and climate, goji berries will bud with bright lavender and light purple flowers anywhere from June to September. Their berries are ellipsoid in shape and dark red in colour, growing up to 2cm in length and ripening as late as October.

Nutritional properties of goji berries

Goji berries were first recognized for their immense nutritional value. One hundred grams of goji berries will contains the following:
– 11 essential and 22 trace dietary minerals,
– 18 amino acids, 6 essential vitamins,
– 8 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharides,
– beta-sitoserol,
– 5 carotenoids,
– Calcium,
– Potassium,
– Iron,
– Zinc,
– Selenium,
– Riboflavin,
– Vitamin C.
Beyond these nutrients, goji berries are known for their high amount of antioxidants in combination with other nutrients, which some clinical studies have shown to be more beneficial than traditional anti-oxidants in older mice.

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