The Amazing Goji Berry

Have you have seen “Goji berry juice” in the store or advertised somewhere in your area and wondered what these “berries” are and why they are so good for you?

Goji berries are the # 1 Medicinal herb in Chinese medicine and have been used for over 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India. The health benefits from these small and nutrient dense berries are simply unmatched.

Goji berries have been shown to increase circulation, reduce inflammation, assist with vision, increase fertility, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, cleanse the blood, aid in psoriasis, diabetes, and improve liver function…and these are only SOME of the amazing benefits of these little red berries.

The reason this berry packs such a punch is because of what Mother Nature placed inside of it:

- Lots of phytochemicals
- 18 amino acids including the 8 essential amino acids
- 21 trace minerals including zinc, calcium, selenium
- Tons of antioxidants
- Vitamin A, B1,B2,& B6, Vitamin E and tons of Vitamin C
- Anti-inflammatory agents, which also help to lower cholesterol
- Omega 6 and linoleic acid which promote body fat loss

The goji berry’s texture is similar to a raisin, with a flat sweetness and is a bit harder and smaller in size. My preferred source of the goji berry benefits is direct from the berry itself (vs. "goji-berry store products"). As many times there will be added ingredients to the juices and products found at supermarkets (always read your labels!) they can also be quite expensive. This is not to dissuade you if you find a pure source product that you enjoy!

If you don’t like the berries as a stand alone, you can add them into your smoothies or bake them into your sweet foods. You can soak the berries overnight (to soften, and puree them the next day) and then add them into soups, dressings and any recipe for an added burst of flavor (not to mention loads of health benefits).

Here is a quick and versatile recipe to make your own goji berry juice, jam, or frozen treat:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Tibetan Goji berries, soaked in purified water (tip: keep and use the soak water)
1/2 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 pitted date and/or 1 tsp raw honey or agave nectar
Blend ingredients until puréed

For a jam: store purée in a container and refrigerate to use as a nutritious spread on breads, muffins…
For an energizing juice: add 1 cup coconut water or purified water (you can use the soak water and add ice, if desired)
For a dessert: add coconut milk to the purée and freeze for a nutritious “icy” treat

You can find goji berries in any health food store in your area (also in traditional supermarkets, depending on where you live) and of course, online. Go out, get some, and enjoy!

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Jennifer is currently studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and can be contacted for Health Counseling Services via her website http://www.medicinalnutrition.com/

Best Wrinkle Defense- Eat Your Apples

Phytonutrients protect plant life from various environmental challenges such as UV sun rays, toxic chemicals, high heat and general poisons or pollutants in the air or soil. Also known as phytochemicals, they are nature’s natural defense and help to form part of the plants immune system. Unfortunately, our human body doesn’t naturally produce these phytonutrients leaving our cells unprotected from certain toxins, pollutants and other environmental stressors. Exposure to these toxins creates the potential for what are known as free radicals in our cell systems. Scientific research has concluded that consuming plant phytonutrients can provide the human body with some of the same free radical protection that is given to plant life. So, what exactly are "free radicals" and how do phytonutrients protect us?

Think back to your first chemistry class: atoms, electrons, protons and all that fun stuff. You may recall that an atom will either gain or lose electrons to create molecular balance and in some cases, will even share electrons to do this, bonding with other atoms. Under normal circumstances, once these bonds are formed, they don't split, as it would leave a molecule with an odd, unpaired electron. But exposure to toxic chemicals, UV light and various other environmental and chemical pollutants can stress these sensitive bonds, sometimes causing them to split apart, creating what are known as "free radicals".

It is considered a "free radical" because it quickly reacts with other nearby atoms starting a search to re-capture its much needed stabilizing electron. When this process begins, each atom attacks the nearest stable molecular neighbor, essentially "stealing" electrons along the way. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it also becomes a free radical, and thus a chain reaction is born. Once this process is started, it progresses, ultimately resulting in damage of cell membranes.

Radical (noun):
1-Something or someone which advocates revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions: radicals seeking to overthrow the social order.

With this definition in mind, imagine a “radical” atom inside your body overthrowing the social order of all your cells.

Scientific investigation of phytonutrients is a very exciting area of nutrition research today, as we are now obtaining science-based explanations as to how plant food supports and protects our overall wellness. Foods such as cabbage, kale, bok choy, apples, garlic, citrus fruits, berries plus so many more help to protect us from free-radical damage, and provide a multitude of additional health benefits.

Here is an interesting article about phytonutrients, in particularly the flavonoids found in apples and how they can protect and fight against breast cancer.
http://ihealthbulletin.com/blog/2009/04/04/apples-versus-breast-cancer/

And another general article about the power of phytonutrients quoting that “medicine is in your vegetable garden”
http://www.aolhealth.com/medical-myths/phytonutrients-prevention-in-a-plant


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Jennifer is currently studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and can be contacted for Health Counseling Services via her website http://www.medicinalnutrition.com/