The goji berries, the berries of the Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinese, are rich in omega 3 and omega 6, useful for the metabolism and for the muscular apparatus. Let's find out better.
Description of the plant
In recent years an oriental fruit, the berries of the species Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinese, has attracted the interest of western markets, especially the one specialized in the feeding of well-being: it is known as goji, or in English wolfberry. It is a solanacea mostly grown in China, where it is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The plant can reach up to three meters and produces bright red berries, slightly ellipsoid and soft, with a mild and sweet taste, which can remind one of raspberries when concentrated during drying.
Goji, ally of
Muscular system, metabolism, energy, eyes.
Calories, nutritional values and properties of goji berries
100 grams of goji berries contain about 321 calories, e
- Proteins 14.07 g
- Carbohydrates 69.21 g
- Sugars 54.62 g
- Fats 1.79 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fiber 4.8 g
- Sodium 192 mg
- Potassium 50 mg
It is counted among the so-called superfruits because of the much vaunted nutritional and medicinal properties. It is a very rich food of many micronutrients and active ingredients among which are listed:
- omega 3 and omega 6;
- at least 18 amino acids ;
- linoleic acid, alpha-linoleic acid, various phytosterols including beta-sitosterol;
- numerous carotenoids including: beta-carotene, zeaxanthin (goji is believed to be the largest and best source of known zeaxanthin), lycopene, lutein, and xanthophylls such as cryptoxanthin;
- significant amounts of trace elements including selenium, germanium, calcium, chromium, potassium, iron; very important for restoring tone and energy to the muscles;
- excellent amounts of vitamin C, E and B2.
One hundred grams of goji provide the recommended daily dose of riboflavin, and the fruit is considered among the best known antioxidants .
Goji berries, like avocado, among the antioxidant foods: discover the others
Contraindications
Goji is included in foods considered non-toxic, however, like all solanaceae, the fruits contain some substances that can be toxic if taken in large quantities, in case of allergies, intolerances or hypersensitivity. We are talking in particular about solanine and atropine, the latter substance found in traces in goji fruits. Generally, children are advised not to consume more than three tablespoons a day
Curiosity about goji berries
The name goji is a rough Latinization of the Chinese term "gǒuqǐ", which indicates the fruit and which probably derives from the Persian "gojeh", a term that stands for "berry". The Anglo-Saxon term wolfberry (wolf berry) instead derives from the fact that in the Mandarin language the semantic root "gou" stands for "wolf" and that the name of the species, Lycium, resembles the Greek "lycos", or "wolf".
How to eat goji
The market almost always offers dried berries but there are also frozen fruits, ideal for defrosting to prepare some typical dishes of China, such as rice, tubers soups or almond creams.
The berries are also used in teas and added in boiling water along with other herbs for fumigation. From the fruits a series of different alcoholic drinks is also drawn.
The fruit can also be eaten fresh, directly from the plant, nowadays sold in markets and supermarkets, even if the taste is much more delicate than in the case of dehydrated fruit.
