Goji extract 50% | Lycium barbarum

Goji extract 50% | Lycium barbarum

Properties: Goji fruit is a natural product that comes straight from China. Keep in mind that this country is the largest producer of wolfberries. It is estimated that the area where this plant is grown in China covers as much as 82,000 hectares. The popularity of Goji berries is due to the fact that they are an important element of traditional Chinese medicine as they are used in treatment of many diseases. They are also the topic of many more or less credible legends describing their beneficial effects. Thanks to modern scientific studies, we can verify if these legends contain a grain of truth.

It is interesting that the Chinese treat Goji berries with the utmost respect and even organize a festival in their honor. It has been known for a long time that Goji fruit has a beneficial effect on the human body. Studies have shown that it shows antioxidant properties. It is of great importance because Goji helps to reduce production of free radicals that can be harmful to our body. It also prevents the skin from aging too quickly and helps to maintain its healthy appearance.

What’s more, Goji are valued because they support the processes of fat metabolism, which in turn contributes to liver health. The active substances contained in Goji help to keep the proper level of cholesterol, thus supporting the circulatory system.

That’s not all – eating Goji turns out to be pretty helpful for people who want to lose a few extra pounds. This is because the active substances of wolfberries support the regulation of glucose levels in blood. High glucose can cause a sudden release of insulin, a hormone that plays a key role in the metabolism of carbohydrates (and, to a lesser degree, fats and proteins). Insulin is released in response to changes in blood glucose levels, and thus indirectly contributes to the feeling of hunger. Therefore, keeping proper levels of glucose might prevent sudden “bursts” of insulin. This is crucial if you want to have a healthy diet and eat regularly.

It is also important that Goji contributes to the fight against pathogenic microorganisms and supports the overall physical condition of the body. The polysaccharides found in these fruits are responsible for the beneficial effect on the immune system. They stimulate production of the immune cells. Thanks to that, the immune response to infections is stronger, and as a result, inflammation does not spread so quickly.

Considering all of the beneficial properties of Goji, it is hardly surprising why the Chinese are so fond of these tiny and delicate berries. By supplementing Goji we can experience its pro-health effects confirmed by years of experience gained by masters of natural medicine.

Occurrence: Chinese wolfberry (Lycium Barbarum) is a shrub that belongs to the Solanaceae family of plants. It occurs in China, Tibet and Mongolia, where it can be found on the hills and in the valleys. The plant has distinctive edible fruits that taste like cranberries, although they are less sweet and more tart. On the other hand, when dried, they resemble raisins in consistency and appearance. When fully ripe, the fruits have bright red or orange-yellow color. They are the herbal raw material and the Chinese called them the Goji berries.

In traditional medicine of Asian countries, mainly in China, wolfberry fruit has been used for over 2,500 years. It is known as a compound strengthening the heart, liver, lungs with ability to lower blood glucose levels, but it also improves the health of bones and joints. It is possible that monks of Himalayan monasteries consumed Goji berries in order to improve focus during meditation, strengthen endurance, and prolong life. The Chinese believe that the fruits of wolfberry can significantly extend life. There is a famous legend of Li Qing Yen, who consumed Goji berries every day to live up to 252 years. Well, at least that’s the story from the legend.

Biochemistry: Chinese wolfberry owes its properties mainly to polysaccharide complexes (LBP – Lycium barbarum polysaccharides). In terms of chemistry, it is a group of water-soluble glycoconjugates made of polysaccharides, 18 amino acids and the galacturonic acid. This ingredient of Goji berries has been studied the most. One of the other interesting compounds is a carotenoid – zeaxanthin, an antioxidant responsible for the proper functioning of eyesight. In addition, the fruits contain: beta-carotene, beta-sitosterols, free amino acids (specifically proline and taurine), essential oil, flavonoids, micro- and macroelements (zinc, copper, calcium, selenium and phosphorus) as well as vitamins (from the group B, but also C and E).

Fun fact: Goji berries are the most popular from 8,000 plants used by Asian herbalists. Chinese people appreciate these fruits so much that every August they organize a festival during which they celebrate Goji. The festival coincides with the berry harvest and is currently held in Zhongning County, Ningxia. It is the main growing region of this plant in China, with plantations covering between 40 to 400 hectares.