Goji berries. Properties, how to take berries, what the effect is, contraindications and possible harm to the body. How to properly consume goji berries? Recipes for health. Gazpacho with cheese and goji berries

For those who want to lose weight, nutritionists advise including in the diet Goji berries. To begin with, start consuming these berries with a minimal amount to test how your body reacts.

The daily consumption rate of these berries is 15-45 g. You should add berries to dishes like all other dried fruits. Goji berries can be added to porridges, salads, baked goods, and can also be used for cooking. various drinks.

Porridge with goji berries

This porridge will cleanse your body and help get rid of extra pounds. You will need:

200 ml milk;

3 tbsp. l. oatmeal;

1 tbsp. l. honey;

Goji berries - 7-10 pcs.

Wash the goji berries and soak for 15-20 minutes until they become soft.

Soak cereals for 15 minutes, and then boil in water until tender for 5 minutes. Add skim milk, honey and berries to the porridge.

Vitamin salad with goji berries

A delicious vitamin salad can be prepared from the following ingredients:

Tomato - 2 pcs.;

Cucumber - 1 pc.;

Lettuce leaves - 2-3 pcs.;

Goji berries - 20 sh.;

1-2 tbsp. l. olive oil.

Place the berries in a cup, cover with water and leave for 15-20 minutes or place in the microwave for 1 minute to soften the berries.

Place lettuce leaves, tomatoes and cucumbers, cut into slices, on a plate and garnish with goji berries on top. Season the salad with olive oil.

Goji berry tea

This tea will nourish the body useful vitamins and improve immunity. You will need:

500 ml water;

1 tbsp. l. goji berries.

Boil water, then pour it into a teapot and leave to cool. Cut the berries and add to boiling water. The drink should be infused for 1 hour, then it should be strained and drunk with honey.

In previous articles, you learned that you can and should eat goji berries. It's time to figure out how to use them correctly. So you received (or brought from a store or pharmacy) a long-awaited package and don’t know what to do with it. Chew it this way or cook compote? Or maybe make tea or add it to a dish? There are actually many options. But remember one thing forever - you can’t eat raw goji berries! But after drying, they become absolutely safe and very useful.

You can make tea with goji berries, add to oatmeal, yogurt, muesli and cottage cheese for breakfast, add to fruit smoothies, and in the end just chew. If you like to experiment, throw a few dry berries into the soup. But don't forget that they are sweet.

Goji berry tea helps you wake up

Pour boiling water over several dry berries. Leave covered for 15-20 minutes. Add a slice of lemon and you can drink tea. You will receive a good tonic drink that will give you strength, energy and vigor.

Tea with goji berries for guests

This drink is good to serve in close company, especially if the theme of your evening is the East. The amount of ingredients is for 2-3 cups. You will need:

• black loose leaf tea (can be replaced with green);
• several chrysanthemum flowers (3-5);
• a small handful of goji berries (6-7 pieces).

Pour boiling water over everything (temperature about 80 degrees) and leave the tea to brew for 15-20 minutes. Tea can be served with dry berries.

Goji berry tincture - Chinese peppercorn

It's very easy to prepare. Pour 50 g of goji berries into ½ liter of vodka. Ideally, you need to take a Chinese one, but if you don’t have one at hand, and you won’t be going to China soon, any other high-quality 45-degree one will do. You need to infuse the drink for a week. And then you can take goji berry tincture for cold symptoms, 10 g 2 times a day.

Protein shake with berries

It is useful to drink it immediately after training, when muscles need recovery. The protein value of goji berries exceeds even frosted milk. But you need to prepare the cocktail a day in advance. Pour 4 tablespoons of berries into 1 liter of low-fat milk (1% -1.5%). Cover the container with film and place in the refrigerator. The next morning, beat the milk liquid in a blender. You can add a little cinnamon for taste.

Rice porridge with goji berries

The easiest way is to boil white rice as you usually do. And at the very end add dry goji berries. To prevent the porridge from turning out bland, you can sweeten it with honey instead of sugar.

Soup with lamb and goji berries

You will need:

• 1 kg lamb ribs;
• 50 g dried berries;
• 10-15 g fresh ginger;
• 20-25 g leek;
• 2-3 tablespoons of wine.

Wash the lamb well, pour cold water and put it on the fire. To make the broth less fatty, skim off the foam, drain the first water, then place the meat in a clean pan and pour it in again clean water. Now cook the broth until the meat is cooked. Meanwhile, soak the berries in a separate bowl.

Add finely chopped leek and chopped ginger. Then pour in the wine and throw in the berries. Add salt to taste. You can use your favorite spices. Light nutritious soup perfectly restores strength.

Note for those with a sweet tooth

Another way to diversify your pastry habits is to replace raisins with goji berries. These dried fruits taste similar, so any baked goods (or even a second dish) that previously contained raisins will become more exotic with goji berries. But the taste will change slightly.

Add goji berries to ice cream, cakes, pastries and muffins. Good idea for the holiday - prepare “happiness cookies”. Anyone who comes across a cookie with a berry can make a wish. And it will definitely come true, because inside is a real Chinese “berry of happiness”!

Goji berries are fruits unique plant, growing in subtropical climates South-East Asia. The name of a tree that gives people fragrant and useful fruits, - common wolfberry. And the exotic name Goji was invented by local residents.

Growing in the green Tibetan valleys, the fruits of the tree are generously saturated with beneficial vitamins and microelements. Therefore, you should not be surprised at the positive effect of berries on metabolic processes and on the human body as a whole.

From origins to today

Goji berry (wolfberry, Goji, wolfberry, Tibetan barberry) is an evergreen shrub native to the subtropical climates of China, Tibet and Mongolia. Belongs to the nightshade family of plants, reaching a height of 2.5 - 3 meters.

It was discovered by Chinese monks about 5000 years ago. Ancient people experimented with Tibetan barberry: they used it in fresh and figured out how to brew goji berries.

Such positive properties common wolfberry, as normalization of the liver, kidneys and glands internal secretion, time-tested. The fruits of the tree were used in Taoist, Tibetan, Chinese and other oriental medicines.

Soon the miraculous berry became known not only to monks, but also to ordinary Chinese. Then it spread across the Asian continent and throughout the world. In Europe, the first Goji were sold in specialty stores. The small package included a certificate of quality and instructions on how to brew goji berries.

Despite all the positive properties, goji berries “bite”. Curious people should not touch wood in the wild - an allergic reaction may occur.

Reason for high demand

Goji berries became truly popular in the West, and then in Russia, after 2004. The first to notice unique properties berries, there were Western stars and representatives of domestic show business. Further growth in popularity recalled chain reaction: the fruits of wolfberry are to the taste of both businessmen and ordinary people.

What epithets were given to these berries! And “male Viagra” and “marital wine” and “weight loss product No. 1.” It is not possible to fully verify the unique properties of goji berries - they affect each person differently. But one thing can be said: they really speed up metabolism and increase male potency.

A storehouse of useful microelements

Why do these berries have a positive effect on the human body? To do this, let’s look under their skin and find out the composition:

It is noteworthy that in a nondescript berry the size of pumpkin seed Vitamin C is 5 times more than in a large orange.

The easiest way to check the effectiveness of a product is to try it on yourself. How to brew, in what quantity to take goji berries - all this in the next section.

Methods of use

Goji berries can be eaten either raw or as a brewed drink.

The first option involves eating berries from a pack, just as you eat dried raisins or dried apricots. The taste of these unique dried fruits is very pleasant. We strongly recommend rinsing the berries before eating.

Goji berries will help diversify your morning diet. How to brew them to obtain vitamin supplement? A pinch of berries should be doused with boiling water and mixed with yogurt, porridge or curd mass. Not only is it replenished daily dose vitamins, so familiar food becomes more interesting.

Oddly enough, but goji berries are an excellent seasoning for meat dishes. They add a special aroma and make the taste of meat more refined.

The fruits of the common wolfberry have another unique property - when exposed to high temperatures All useful microelements remain safe. Read below for information on how to properly brew goji berries. Remember useful tips and put them into practice.

How to brew goji berries?

From dried fruits you can get both healing decoction. It all depends on how to brew goji berries.

For people losing weight, a decoction is ideal. In this section we will tell you how to brew goji berries. But this information is not enough. How long to brew goji berries and how to get them aromatic tea from dried fruits?

The easiest way is to brew the healing product in boiling water. You will need a small 250 ml teapot and one tablespoon of berries. Pour the dried fruits into a container and pour boiling water over them. After 20 minutes, the healing decoction is ready for use! This drink should be taken three times a day, half a glass.

The second way is to add goji berries to boiling water. It’s very simple - you need to mix a pinch of dried fruits with your favorite tea. A great idea is to brew goji berries in a thermos. This way you won’t be without your favorite tonic drink even at work!

A gourmet method is to create a unique mix of oriental herbs. You will need a teaspoon of green tea, a pinch of chrysanthemum flowers, jasmine and goji berries. All components are mixed and poured with hot boiling water. The tea is infused for 25 minutes. The resulting drink warms, tones and strengthens the immune system.

We have listed only the basic ways of brewing goji berries. Reviews about the recipes listed above speak for themselves - people happily drink various drinks with the addition of this gift of nature.

Benefits of goji berries

• Acceleration of metabolism. A big plus of goji berries as a means of losing weight is the gradual normalization of weight. Special effect achieved by people who combine physical activity with drinking a decoction of the above-mentioned fruits. We remind you that all people who are losing weight should eat properly (do not eat after six, give up flour, give preference to protein foods). Only in this case the set goal will be achieved.
• Strengthening the immune system. Doctors recommend consuming goji berries in the off-season - at the right time viral infections. This way, you will practically eliminate the possibility of getting sick.
• Slowing down the aging process. In China, the legendary berry is called the key to longevity. This is true, since it is very rich in antioxidants - substances that prevent tissue aging.
• Improved sexual function. Statistical observation of men and women who regularly consume an infusion of berries has shown normalization of potency and libido.
• Recovery digestive system. If you have problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, then take an infusion of goji berries on an empty stomach and before bed.
• Excellent vision. Longevity berry is rich in beta-carotene, a substance responsible for the quality of vision.
• Normalization of blood. If you have problems with red blood cells or low hemoglobin, then goji berries are what you need! They contain many times more iron than cilantro, tomatoes and red meat.
• Liver cleansing. This organ considers fat to be poison. The natural product in question will help remove excess cholesterol from hepatocytes (liver cells).
• Improvement mental state. In China, goji berry is considered an antidepressant.

Surprisingly, it is a fact - an inconspicuous little berry has a powerful restorative effect on a weakened body.

Harm

Despite the unique properties of the fruit, it is also possible reverse effect. It is observed in those who do not know how to brew goji berries correctly, or who significantly exceed the permissible daily dose.

Possible side effects include the following:

• Insomnia.
• Diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Headache.

How to distinguish an original berry from a fake?

Unfortunately, recently cases of sales of counterfeit products have become more frequent. Instead of Tibetan berries, dried barberries or colored cranberries are placed in the packaging. To avoid becoming a victim of scammers, you need to know what real dried fruit looks like. Let us list the signs that allow us to say with certainty that this is a real Tibetan barberry:

If you order goji berries online, then you should pay attention to the resource offering the product.

Signs of a suspicious site

• Intrusive presentation of information.
• The absurdity of the results. It is clear that the promise to lose 12 kg in three days is a clear exaggeration.
• The price of the product is too high.
• Too much low price products. There is a high chance of getting a fake.
• The exact number of dried berries in the package is not indicated.

Sometimes wolfberry fruits can be seen in ordinary stores. Most often, such goods are of average quality and are made in Russia. The best option is to order a small portion of goji berries online. Preference should be given to foreign online stores with a clear website interface.

Follow these simple rules, beware of fakes!

The Legend of the Chinese Monk

In the Chinese epic there is a myth about a monk who lived 252 years. Every day he ate several raw goji berries. Documentary evidence there is no myth, but recently (in 2006) the Japanese doctor H. Wu made an interesting discovery: Goji juice restores damaged structure DNA.

There have been a lot of rumors recently about the benefits of goji berries for weight loss and health. People buy dried berries in kilograms, because they are sure that the miraculous effects of the fruits on the body are exclusively positive influence, help to reset overweight. However, there are pitfalls everywhere, because you need to be able to properly prepare goja fruits so that they give a positive result.

Goja berries grow on bushes in the valleys of Tibet, Himalayan mountains, as well as in China and Inner Mongolia. IN eastern countries they are called “common wolfberry”; this genus of plant is unpretentious and bears fruit in the warm season. In Russia, Europe and America they learned the name goji berry or wolfberry. However, they have nothing in common with the poisonous plant that grows in the forests of central Russia.

Goja fruits appearance resemble barberry: coral-red in color and very small size, inside there is a large number of small, small seeds. The taste is sour and reminiscent of raisins or cranberries.

What are the benefits of goji berries?

The main benefit of goji fruit is weight loss. How do they work so that the extra pounds go away on their own? It’s just that goja berries contain antioxidants large quantities, and, as you know, the benefits of antioxidants are to improve metabolism (metabolism) and accelerate the breakdown of fat cells. However, please note that positive effect can be obtained by combining the intake of goja berries with regular physical activity and cardio exercises for weight loss.

The difference between goja berries for weight loss and other drugs is that extra pounds are lost throughout the course, and not just in the first days.

In addition, eating goji berries normalizes blood sugar levels, stimulates blood circulation, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, normalizes the digestive process, cleanses the body of toxins and reduces blood sugar levels. bad cholesterol. These miraculous fruits also contain all the beneficial microelements, amino acids, B vitamins, polysaccharides and fatty acids.

Side effects and contraindications for consuming goji fruits.

Despite such a positive effect from consuming goji berries and their natural origin, there are some contraindications for use. It is recommended that people with allergic reactions(especially for products plant origin), suffering from disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure, nursing and pregnant women (since the berries stimulate the uterine cavity), and young children (up to 3 years old).

IN in rare cases reviews of the use of goji berries indicated the following side effects: allergies, sleep disturbance (if abused), food intolerance and abdominal pain. Causes of occurrence side effects from goja fruits there can be two:

• Abuse of the product;
• The composition contains preservatives and other additives.

Calorie content of goja berries.

Per 100 grams of this product accounts for 357 kcal, 14.29 g protein, 75 carbohydrates and 0 g fat.

Of course, the calorie content is quite high. But a person is recommended to consume about 20-30 grams of berries per day, so you will only receive 70-80 kcal. This perfect product for snacks, second breakfast or afternoon snack.

How to take goja fruits for weight loss.

There are many ways to use goji berries. They can be brewed, eaten, made into drinks, added to dishes, etc. It is very important to eat goja berries correctly for weight loss - it is enough to take 15-20 goja berries per day. Just add dried fruits to your morning and evening diet, then you will notice that the weight loss mechanisms have started.

We will also tell you how to drink goji berries correctly. For example, you can add them to tea. Or make a fruit or vegetable smoothie out of them.

The most popular goji fruit drink recipe: take a tablespoon of berries and brew them in a cup hot water(not boiling water). Let the goji berry tea steep for 15-20 minutes. You can add lemon or lime to this drink.

How to cook goji berries for weight loss.

There are other ways to prepare goji fruits:

• Brew your favorite tea, add a few berries to it and enjoy;
• Brew goja berries (1 tablespoon) in two cups of boiling water. Drink 1 cup in the morning before breakfast, and the second in the evening before dinner. Don't forget about dietary food;
• You can make a cocktail from goji berries: mix 500 mil in a blender low-fat kefir, kiwi, apple and 1 tablespoon of berries. This goji smoothie is perfect for breakfast or snack.

Recipes for dishes with goji berries.

You can also cook goji fruits with other products, resulting in a complete dietary dish.

Recipe for curd dessert with goji berries. Grind 1 unsweetened apple in a blender and mix it with 3 tablespoons of low-fat kefir, 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese and 2 tablespoons of goji berries.

Veal with vegetables and goji berries. Take 0.5 kg of veal and cut into large cubes. Then chop small onions, carrots and Bell pepper. Mix all ingredients with 1 tablespoon of goji fruits, place in foil, wrap and bake in the oven for 50 minutes.

Salad with goji berries. You need to mix 2 chopped apples, 3 tablespoons walnuts and 3 tablespoons of goji berries. You can also add pine nuts and sunflower seeds to taste.

For Americans and Europeans Goji berries are a fashionable novelty, but in China they have been known for several thousand years. Goji, or Chinese wolfberry, is also called Tibetan barberry and wolfberry. This plant from the nightshade family is a creeping shrub with soft vines hanging down, reaching a length of 3-8 meters. The fruits of the bush are red, juicy berries.

Although this plant has more than 40 varieties, only one variety is believed to have wonderful properties. This variety grows on plantations in Tibet and the Himalayas at 3000 m above sea level. On the Internet you can find information that Chinese dereza is quite widespread medicinal plant. Mostly wild varieties or varieties of goji grow in Russia, but in terms of their beneficial properties they are almost in no way inferior to their exotic relative. In addition, not only the fruits, but also the roots and bark of the plant are used in medicine.

Goji – poisonous plant! Fresh berries It is not recommended to pick up: the skin will immediately turn black due to a strong oxidative reaction. To collect berries under a bush, spread a cloth on the ground and knock it down with a stick. ripe fruits which are then dried in the shade.

Berries after drying do not pose any danger. The fruits taste sweet and salty, but may be sour. But it's not their taste that matters. Goji berries have a unique composition.

Researchers found in them 18 amino acids (8 of which are essential), 21 minerals (calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, germanium, selenium, zinc and others), vitamins (B1, B2, B6, E, C), carotene, polysaccharides and a significant amount of other biologically active substances.

Just one tablespoon a day of these is enough miracle berries to provide the human body with the necessary amount of all vitamins.
Goji juices and extracts lose their medicinal properties and the ability to strengthen the body.

The benefits and harm of goji berries

Useful properties Goji berries have a lot of:

• the beta-carotene they contain (a precursor to vitamin A) helps improve vision and skin condition;


• thanks to high level content ascorbic acid(vitamin C) and iron, goji berries strengthen the immune system and are a means of preventing acute respiratory diseases; for example, lemon contains 500 times less vitamin C than goji berries;


• berries are also used in the treatment of anemia - after all, they contain several times more iron than apples, beef liver, buckwheat, spinach and other products;


• adaptogens contained in fruits (biologically active substances) improve adaptation human body to adverse effects environment, increase resistance to stress, help improve memory and increase physical endurance;


• antioxidants contained in the fruits slow down the aging process of the body, which is why goji berries are called the berries of longevity;


• eating goji berries lowers blood sugar levels, so they can be used in the treatment of diabetes; regulation carbohydrate metabolism and improving digestion with the help of miraculous berries contributes to a small degree of weight loss - it is no coincidence that nutritionists recommend using an infusion of goji berries for any diet;
• according to some reports, the berries have anti-cancer properties, due to the high content of selenium and germanium in them.

Based on the above, goji fruits are recommended for regular use for diseases of the liver, kidneys, patients with hypertension and diabetes. Healthy berries wolfberry will benefit all unbalanced people and, in general, everyone who is concerned about their own health and wants to live a full, long life.

But longevity berries can also cause harm to the body. First of all, this concerns allergic manifestations, because Goji berries are quite strong allergens.
Some people, after eating berries, especially in large quantities, may experience loose stool and increased gas formation.

Exceeding the dose of berries can lead to insomnia even in those people who have never had sleep disorders. If sleep disturbance occurs when eating wolfberry fruits, it is better to eat them in the morning.

Clear research on the interaction of goji berries and medicines no, but there are reports of increased effects of drugs that reduce arterial pressure. Berries may interact with and alter the activity of medications used to treat diabetes. Therefore, patients with hypertension and diabetes should consult a doctor about the possibility of including goji berries in their diet. Berries can enhance the effect of anticoagulants (drugs that reduce blood clotting) and cause bleeding.

Uses of goji berries

Indications for use

Goji berries can be recommended for use for:
• atherosclerosis and hypertension;


• diabetes mellitus;


• kidney and liver diseases;


• anemia;




• headaches and dizziness;


• chronic fatigue and frequent stressful situations;


• constipation (due to intestinal atony).