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Goji berries are known as one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. They have been considered a healing food in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years to help eyesight, boost immune function, and promote longevity.
Before getting into the recipes, here are some suggested organic dried goji berries by Elan, Made in Nature, Heathworks, Nutrient Elements, Navitas, Viva Naturals, Terrasoul, and Micro Ingredients.
We should all add more goji berries to our diet. Here are five reasons you should eat goji berries every day:
1. They give you vitamins A, C, and the B vitamins.
Goji berries are an excellent source of B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. They contain 500 times more vitamin C per weight than an orange and generally have more beta-carotene than carrots. A ¼ cup serving of goji berries contains 180 percent of your RDA of vitamin A and 30 percent of your RDA of vitamin C.
2. They’re low in calories.
Goji berries are an excellent, healthy snack choice. A ¼ cup serving of dried goji berries has 220 calories. Since they’re nutrient-dense and sweet, those 220 calories go a long way.
3. They’re a complete protein.
According to Kirk Bachelder in “Dried Goji Berries,” as quoted by Livestrong, “goji berries contain 19 amino acids, including the eight essential amino acids. These berries therefore, are a nearly complete source of protein, providing 13 percent more protein than weight.”
4. They’re anti-inflammatory.
Beta-sitosterol is an anti-inflammatory agent that is present in goji berries. It can help lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease, and promote sexual health. The Vegetarian Times writes that “Beta-sitosterol has been used to treat everything from fibromyalgia, asthma, allergies, hair loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. It is a plant substance similar to cholesterol that appears to lower cholesterol levels by limiting the amount of cholesterol that can enter the body.”
5. They taste great in vegan dishes.
Goji berries can be cooked into vegan dinner dishes, eaten in vegan breakfast bowls, or eaten dried as a snack. They’re great in muffins, raw desserts, salads, and energy bars. They’re often eaten dried, but they’re also available as a powder, juice, or supplement. Try making gluten-free goji berries, goji energy bites, quinoa salad with figs, purslane, and goji, and raw vegan chocolate pudding tart with coconut cream and goji berries.
Goji berries are packed with antioxidants, B vitamins, iron, and they’re a complete protein. Add this superfood to your diet to reap its many benefits!
