The use of goji berries is very ancient in the eastern lands where it grows spontaneously; its use was in the form of fresh fruit, dried berry as a natural food supplement or in preparation of herbal teas and drinks . The preparation of healthy products with goji berries is also ancient in oriental medicine and people thought that it preserved health and extended life.
In Italy, goji berries are becoming an increasingly fashionable product due to their wide use in the last period. This fruit is rich in nutraceutical substances and its composition of vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids and phytonutrients makes it a truly natural food supplement that brings wellness to our body.
Just to give an idea of the wide range of substances contained in goji berries, we remind you that there are 11 essential mineral salts and 22 minor trace, 18 amino acids protein bricks, 6 essential vitamins (in higher percentages vitamin A, group B, And it's a lot of vitamin C ). It also contains many polysaccharides, monosaccharides and 5 unsaturated fatty acids, as well as active ingredients and antioxidants such as 5 different types of beta-carotenoids, phenolic pigments and phytosterols.
The dose of goji berries
The daily dose was indicated once as a handful of dried berries per day to maintain a perfect psychophysical shape.
Since the measurement with the hand can change according to the people we can take advantage of the measurement in grams : for every 10 kg you can take about 3 grams of dried goji berries ; an adult can therefore use around 15 to 30 grams of berries a day to cover much of the need for vitamins, minerals and nutritional substances that he needs throughout the day.
For children and pregnant women the quantity is reduced to 10 grams per day . Both in the development phase and throughout the entire gestation period, the child requires a lot of vitamin C and the goji berries are a useful natural food supplement.
Even children in pediatric age require a high vitamin C support to strengthen the immune system in formation, in view of exposure to external agents.
Furthermore, all the other components in goji berries are excellent for supplementing the diet of both expectant mothers and developing children.
However, it is always advised to consult your doctor or pediatrician.
Goji berries, properties and how to choose them
Contraindications of goji berries
The European Commission on food safety describes goji berries as a food supplement and a food that is safe to use .
Its safety is given both by the long time of use and by the wide consumption on a global level that has never led to undesired reactions and contraindications for goji berries.
However, specific studies have been carried out on the possible contraindications of goji berries and it has emerged that it can alter the effectiveness of some drugs ; for example, it can increase the effect of some drugs such as anticoagulants and this interaction leads to bleeding such as nasal epitaxis.
It must also not be used for those who have undergone organ transplant operations because it lowers the effectiveness of anti-rejection drugs, thus putting the patient at risk.
For these clinical cases and those who use particular drugs (antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticoagulants, hypotensives and hypoglycemic agents) it is recommended to consult the doctor for any interactions with his own therapies while for all others the use is safe.
Should you still feel any discomfort, such as vomiting, nausea, neuralgia, nervousness or others, you should immediately inform your doctor. Some people may be allergic to goji berries even if the statistics do not include many cases.
Given the limited contraindications in the use of goji berries and the many beneficial effects that this food brings, it is a good habit to include it in one's diet.
