Tibetan Goji Berries - The Elixir of Youth and Good Health
There is a great deal of interest created in the global market regarding this tiny red fruit, called the goji berry. The common knowledge has it that consuming a small amount of this fruit every day will extend your life span to more than double, and at the same time keep you in excellent health. Is this really true? Here are some facts on the Tibetan goji berries.
What Are Tibetan Goji Berries?
As the name suggests, the Tibetan goji berries are the fruits of an ever green plant that is naturally grown in Tibet, China and Mongolia. The Tibetan goji berries plant belongs to the Solonaceae family.
The Tibetan goji berries are found in the market in two main forms: (i) as dried berries and (ii) as juice. Both the forms are highly beneficial to the body. The other ways to consume this fruit is through tea, in soups, or turned into liquid extracts. The main ingredients of the Tibetan goji berries are the beta-carotene, carotenoids and zeaxanthin which make for the best anti-oxidants present in nature.
The goji berry should not be confused with the wolfberry that is a very similar berry. Because of its close similarity, many tend to interchange the names and call the goji berries wolfberry and vice versa. However, on close inspection you will find that the goji berry is sweet and tasty, while the wolfberry is slightly bitter in taste. Both these berries have almost the same properties, but they are definitely not the same fruit.
Besides the fact that it is known to extend longevity to a great (and almost unbelievable) extent, the zeaxanthin that is an active ingredient in the Tibetan goji berries, has been found to be able to prevent age-related macular degeneration as well.
What Do the Research Studies Say?
The research studies done to date have found that the goji berries do indeed prove beneficial in controlling the spread of cancer by inhibiting cell reproduction. It also helps in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
You should be careful while taking a supplement of the goji berry since this has ingredients that interfere with anti-coagulant drugs. If you are using any anti-coagulants, there might be unfavorable side effects. Therefore, always check with your doctor always before you experiment with any new type of health drink or supplement.