5 Things You Need to Know About Tibetan Goji Berries

1. Origins of Tibetan Goji Berries

High in the Himalayan Mountains between Tibet and China there grows a wild berry that the locals have used for many centuries to promote long life and health. This berry is the Tibetan goji berry. It grows wild in the valley. Fresh goji berries are bright red in color and grow on vines that can reach up to 20 feet. Over 40 different varieties of goji berries exist on the planet, but this one has the highest nutritional value of all. One of the possible reasons for their beneficial effects is the fact that these berries grow in fertile soil that's free of chemicals, pesticides or pollution of any kind. There are many products in the marketplace today that claim they are genuine goji berries, and some also claim that the goji and a related species of berry, the Chinese Wolfberry, are the same thing. The Chinese Wolfberry, although related to the goji, is less nutrient-rich.

2. Nutrient Packed Little Berries

The Tibetan goji berries appear to be the most nutrient packed berries on the planet. Within these little berries are vitamins B1, B2, B6, E and C. Along with these vitamins, the berries have 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, linoleic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, betaine and beta-carotene. Many of these are not available in the foods that we normally consume on a daily basis or in the high quantity as in the goji. Among the nutrients contained in these berries are phytochemicals and bioflavonoids. Many of these vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are in higher amounts than are found in any other food, fruit or vegetable on the planet.

3. Support for Low Immune System

The nutrients contained in the goji berries support the immune system. They nourish the white blood cells that fight infections in our bodies with a polysaccharide, or sugar, that feeds the large white blood cells found in the intestines. These white blood cells then flood through the body setting off a chain reaction of fortifying the rest of the immune system and building up defenses against attacks. The nutrients in the goji are at such high levels that they fight free radicals in the body due to their antioxidant activity. Due to their nourishing of the white blood cells of the intestines, they help increase the production of interleukin, which also enhances the immune system.

4. Longevity and Health

With the support of the immune system and the extremely high levels of all the nutritional components mentioned, it's no wonder that the locals of this region have enjoyed a life free of normal diseases for well over a hundred years. The nutrients contained in these berries help fight the degeneration of age. 2 diseases that show a positive effect of the berries is the restraining effect on leukemia and the improvement in cases of macular degeneration.

5. Get the Real Berries

Many sites on the Internet, as well as local health food stores, are offering goji berry products. Whether they are pills, juice or dried berries and powder, you don't want to be taken in and sold a lesser quality product. To make sure that the source you are considering for acquiring your goji berries is in fact selling the Tibetan variety, you can check with the only source of Tibetan goji berries. The Tibetan Goji Berry Co. is the only authorized supplier of these berries and handles all the berries grown in this region of China. They have a vendor list and will provide a certificate of authenticity for the supplier from whom you are planning to purchase your berries.

Last updated on: Nov 18, 2009

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