Goji juice -- the juice obtained from the native Asian goji berry -- is believed to have a number of health benefits, including the ability to stimulate and maintain weight loss. Proponents of goji juice as a weight loss aid claim that both the berries and juice contain compounds that make it ideally suited to help dieter's lose pounds. However, critics point to a variety of drawbacks to goji juice use that may make it an inappropriate diet option for some people.
Goji Juice
Goji juice is made from the goji berries -- also known as the wolfberry, Chinese boxthorn or matrimony vine -- that grow wild in northwestern China, Mongolia and the Himalayan mountain regions of Tibet and Nepal. Goji berries are bright red and taste similar to cherries and cranberries. According to the Diet Spotlight site, goji berries and their juice became a focus of alternative medicine practitioners after studies found that people living in these areas who ate goji berries often have a longer lifespan and enjoy better health than people living in surrounding regions. The berries have been used for generations by the Chinese to improve immune and circulatory system function, to promote the health of the liver and to increase fertility.
Nutritional Information
Goji juice is rich in amino acids. According to the Diet Spotlight website, it contains 18 essential amino acids -- and minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, chromium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. Both the juice and the berries provide significant amounts of Vitamin E, beta carotene and Vitamin C as well as the B vitamins B-1, B-2 and B-6.
Weight Loss Effects
Goji juice is thought to promote weight loss in five ways: By helping to maintain proper thyroid gland function, increasing overall exercise stamina, promoting lean muscle growth, decreasing stress and providing nutrients essential in controlling metabolism, says Diet Spotlight. Hypothyroidism, or an abnormally underactive thyroid, can cause unexpected weight gain, and goji juice is believed to help prevent this condition from developing. Because it is possibly linked to increased stamina and endurance, it may allow regular users to exercise longer and accumulate more fat-burning lean muscle mass. Both stress and a deficiency in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B-1 and calcium are linked to weight gain, and goji juice may help with both of these problems.
Advantages
Goji juice provides significant amounts of vitamins and minerals thought to not only enhance your overall health, but to help boost your metabolism. It is an excellent source of fiber and has a low glycemic index, meaning consuming the juice does not cause a sharp increase in your circulating blood glucose levels. Foods that have a low glycemic index, such as goji juice, can keep you feeling full longer and can prevent carbohydrate cravings.
Disadvantages
Goji juice is expensive and, because it is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, there is no reliable way to determine the purity, safety and effectiveness of any goji juice you may purchase. Chet Day's Health & Beyond Online site warns that goji juice may act as an anti-coagulant in the body, and that anyone taking a blood thinning medication such as warfarin should avoid drinking the juice. Additionally, goji juice use does not emphasize the long-term lifestyle changes that are typically linked to good health and sustainable weight loss -- regular exercise and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Using goji juice may become an excuse for some dieters seeking a quick fix to avoid making the diet alterations needed for weight loss that can be maintained for a lifetime.
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