Goji berry for slimming

Nicknamed the “fruit of eternal youth”, the Goji berry holds many health treasures.

Can it also help us lose weight? This is what our article will reveal.

Goji berry identity card

Scientific name : Lycium barbarum
Common names : goji, goji berry, common lyciet berry, barbaric lyciet, happiness plant, fruit of the smile, fruit of eternal youth.
Botanical classification : Solanaceae family.
Usual forms and preparations : dried berries, infusions, powder, juice, capsules, tinctures.

Botanical description of Goji berry

Consumed and cultivated for over 3,000 years in China and throughout Asia, the Goji berry we know today, of the Lycium Barbarum genus, grows on a shrub that can reach 1 to 3 m in height.
Its leaves are deciduous and its flowers, which bloom from June to September, are violet and corolla-shaped.
The fruit of this shrub, the Goji berry itself, is harvested from August to October, and is, as you’ve probably already seen, bright red.

For the record, did you know that the Goji berry is reputed to be so beneficial, it’s said to push back the limits of age and disease?

Legend (or is it a true story?) has it that a certain Li Chun Yun, a Chinese herbalist born in 1677, died in 1933, aged 256!
His secret? Nothing could be simpler: enjoy 2 handfuls of goji berries a day!
Archives have rediscovered his testimony:

At the age of 50, while I was out in the mountains gathering herbs, I met an old man who lived in a remote part of the mountains.
He didn’t look like a “superman”, but he took such big steps that it seemed as if he was flying through the air.
No matter how hard I tried to keep up with him, I just couldn’t do it.
Later, I met him again. I knelt at his feet and begged him to let me in on his secret.
He gave me some wild fruit and said: “My only secret is that I eat this fruit every day”.
I took the fruit and saw at once that they were Chinese Wolfberries (Goji).
Since then, I’ve been eating 3 qian (5 ounces) of Chinese Wolfberries.
Since then, I’ve become agile and healthy again.
I’ve become stronger and more vigorous than the average person.

Composition and active ingredients of Goji berry

Goji berry has a naturally interesting composition. It contains :
1. Amino acids :
18 different, 8 of them essential (including tryptophan and isoleucine): amino acids are the foundation of all vital and metabolic processes in the human body.
In particular, they ensure optimal transport and storage of all nutrients (water, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins) to their destination.
2. Oligo-Elements and Minerals :
21 to be exact, including zinc, iron, copper, selenium, phosphorus, calcium and germanium.
Trace elements are also essential to the proper functioning of the human body, as they are involved in the vast majority of biochemical and metabolic reactions.
For example, they play an important role in food assimilation and metabolism, tissue renewal and the strengthening of the immune system.
3. Flavanoids :
These substances play a protective role against cancer and cardiovascular disease.
4. Phenolic acids :
These acids have powerful anti-oxidant properties, and therefore play a preventive role in certain diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and age-related illnesses.
They neutralize the free radicals present in the body.
5. Beta-Sistosterols:
A member of the phytosterol family, their function is to maintain the structure and function of our cell membranes.
In short, beta-sistosterols help regulate and reduce levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, and have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties.
6. Vitamins :
Goji berries are very rich in vitamin C. In fact, the fresh berry contains 400 times more than an orange, and the dried berry 7 times more.
Goji berries also contain group B vitamins and vitamin E, which play a role in the metabolism of various nutrients in the diet, and which, in the case of vitamin E, also has an anti-oxidant effect.
7. Polysaccharides :
Provide the body with energy.

Properties and medicinal uses of Goji berry

1. Anti-oxidant properties :
Goji berry has powerful anti-oxidant properties.
It slows down the aging process, strengthens and balances the immune system, protects and fights against cancer and cellular degeneration.
It can help reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy, assist with autoimmune diseases, protect the liver and kidneys, and help the body detoxify, particularly from heavy metals.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties, and promotes good memory.
2. Energizing properties :
Goji berry is an excellent natural way to fight fatigue and oxygenate the blood.
It is used to restore strength and energy, and to boost libido.
It also promotes concentration.
3. Balancing properties :
Goji berry has the ability to balance blood pressure and glycemia, thanks to its balancing properties.
It also regulates blood lipid and cholesterol levels, promoting overall good health.
It also improves blood circulation.
4. Calming properties :
Its relaxing properties make it an excellent ingredient for combating insomnia and restoring a good night’s sleep.
Goji berry helps reduce stress and anxiety levels, providing a positive accompaniment to headaches or periods of depression.
5. Protective properties :
As well as protecting the body from free radicals and the many other ailments we’ve already mentioned, Goji berry is also an ally of the skin and eyes.
It protects the latter and can even improve vision.
It protects and heals the skin, and strengthens nails and hair.
6. Digestive properties :
Goji berry helps the body to digest better, and promotes optimal absorption of calcium by the body.
With a glycemic index of 29, it is one of the low-GI (glycemic index) foods, i.e. one that makes you feel fuller, and helps reduce snacking cravings.
Its 21% fiber content also helps control hunger.
We’ll take a closer look at the benefits of Goji berry as part of a slimming diet in the next chapter.

Can goji berry help me lose weight?

As we’ve already mentioned, goji berry has positive effects on blood sugar levels, regulating appetite and reducing cravings. These are just some of the benefits of adding Goji berry consumption to our slimming regimen!
But that’s not all: thanks to its ideal composition, this miraculous berry helps prevent deficiencies during low-calorie diets, and avoids cravings and sugar cravings.
By supporting the liver, Goji berry also promotes the elimination of toxins, including stored fats.

Several studies have been carried out on Goji berries, confirming their benefits.

An Asian study of obese people who consumed Goji berries in the morning and afternoon observed significant weight loss in those taking Goji berries.
According to the researchers, the polysaccharides in goji berries reduce body mass by helping to convert food into energy rather than fat.

Another study involved 8 overweight people with an average BMI of 29.
Initially, subjects were given 30 ml, 60 ml or 120 ml of Goji juice a day, or a placebo.
The results showed that consumption of 120 ml of Goji juice per day increased the body’s energy expenditure by 10%.
In a second phase, subjects took either 120 ml of Goji juice or a placebo for 14 days.
At the end of 14 days, the subjects who had consumed Goji juice saw their waist circumference shrink by around 5.5 cm, compared with just 0.9 cm for the placebo group.
(Source: Journal of the American Nutrition Association)

Cautions, side effects and interactions of Goji berry

Goji berry is an ingredient with very few negative points, and virtually no side effects.
However, excessive consumption of Goji berry may cause diarrhoea, due to its high vitamin C content.

As Goji berries are traditionally used to stimulate the uterus, they are not recommended for pregnant and breast-feeding women.

As for its possible interactions with medications, it is not recommended if you are taking anticoagulants.

Dosage of Goji berry

Apart from the slight side effects associated with its high vitamin C content, which suggest avoiding excessive consumption, Goji berry is so beneficial to the body and so healthy that it can be consumed in large quantities.

However, the usual recommended dosage is 2 to 3g a day. In Asia, however, it’s customary to consume far more than this!

Conclusion

Not only does Goji berry have real benefits for a slimming diet, but it also has such a positive effect on your overall health that we can only invite our readers to consume it regularly.