This post will provide information on "What are the health benefits of goji berries (Lycium barbarum)?" as well as provide answers to questions like: Where did goji berries originated from? Where is goji berry native to? Are all goji berries grown in China? What's wrong with goji berries? How many goji berries should you eat a day?Why are goji berries bad for you? Are goji berries anti inflammatory? Why goji berries are bad for you? Can goji berries make you sick? Do goji berries affect blood pressure? How many goji berries should I eat a day?
The genus name Lycium was assigned by Linnaeus in 1753. The Latin name lycium is derived from the Greek word ?????? (lykion), used by Pliny the Elder (23–79) and Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. 40–90) for a plant known as dyer's buckthorn, which was probably a Rhamnus species. The Greek word refers to the ancient region of Lycia (????a) in Anatolia, where that plant grew. The common English name, "wolfberry", has unknown origin. It may have arisen from the mistaken assumption that the Latin name Lycium was derived from Greek ????? (lycos) meaning "wolf". In the English-speaking world, the name "goji berry" has been used since around 2000. The word "goji" is an approximation of the pronunciation of gouqi (pinyin for ??), the name for the berry producing plant L. chinense in several Chinese dialects. Goji, goji berry, or wolfberry (Chinese: ??; pinyin: gouqi), is the fruit of either Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense, two closely related species of boxthorn in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. L. barbarum and L. chinense fruits are similar but can be distinguished by differences in taste and sugar content. Both species are native to Asia, and have been long used in traditional Asian cuisine. The fruit has also been an ingredient in traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine, since at least the 3rd century AD. The plant parts are called by the Latin names lycii fructus (fruit), herba lycii (leaves), etc., in modern official pharmacopeias. Since about 2000, goji berry and derived products became common in developed countries as health foods or alternative medicine remedies, extending from exaggerated and unproven claims about their health benefits. China is the main supplier of wolfberry products in the world, with total exports generating US$120 million in 2004. This production derived from 82,000 hectares farmed nationwide, yielding 95,000 tons of wolfberries.
- Goji berries are believed to protect against age-related eye diseases
- Goji berries contain healthy antioxidants which are known for their immune-boosting qualities and their ability to fight harmful free radicals and inflammation
- Protects against cancer
- Goji berries contain beta-carotene, which is an essential plant phytochemical that has the ability to promote healthy skin
- Goji berries may be helpful in controlling the release of sugar into the blood
- Improves depression, anxiety, and sleep
- Goji berries have been used to treat liver disease in traditional Chinese medicine
Fresh and dry goji berries do not usually cause any side effects or adverse reactions in healthy people. Goji berry supplements have been shown to be safe for most people when consumed for up to 3 months, with only rare side effects, such as allergic reactions and sensitivity to sunlight. Goji berries may interact with some medications, including: blood thinners, blood pressure medications and diabetes drugs