We live in an information-rich environment. The information-sharing power of the internet has led to an explosion of nutritional knowledge; today most people look to get the very best nutrition out of their food. In this climate of diet-discovery, certain terms are thrown around perhaps too generously. And no term is guiltier of this than “superfood.” But fortunately for us, this little goji fruit wears the badge of “superfruit” with honor.
The Goji, also known as the wolfberry, is a flowering plant in the nightshade family that is famous for its tiny, bright orange-red berries. These slightly tart, sweet berries are possibly one of the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet! Not only is the Goji berry an excellent source for most of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to survive, each berry also contains all 8 essential amino acids. A handful of the berries can provide a large portion of your protein needs per day (good news for vegans!)
Goji berries have been used in Tibet for religious purposes for over 1,700 years, and have traditionally been cultivated in China for around 700 years. It wasn’t until the 21st century, however, that the Goji became an international phenomenon, thanks to the discovery of the berry’s nutritional value. Today, most Goji berry production happens in China; over of 21.3 million lbs. (9.7 million kg) of berries a year in 2014, worth a whopping $107.5 million USD!
And just what are we getting for all that money? Pretty much every vitamin and mineral under the sun! Some of these include vitamin C, fiber, iron, vitamin A, zinc, and a slew of antioxidants. Goji is reported to increase libido, boost the immune system, help with weight loss, and maintain healthy skin, among other benefits. The density of nutrition and the ability of the Goji to help burn calories is precisely why we include Goji in our pre-work out.
There is just so much information out there about the Goji and the potential health benefits. If you want to get a little more in-depth information about Goji berries, check out this article.
