Chinese wolf berries, known in the modern western world as goji berries, are super fruits of the world. Native to southeastern Europe and Asia and have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to help improve health, fertility, boost the immune system and slow down the aging process.
According to the legend of Chinese herbalist Li Ching-Yuen, goji berries did just that! His 1933 obituary, featured in Time Magazine and the New York Times, stated that Li Ching-Yuen lived until 197 years, outliving 23 wives and many of the 200 descendants he produced during his lifetime (if that’s not impressive enough, official Chinese records asserted that he was born in China in 1677).
In an interview with Ching-Yuen in the 1920’s, he expressed the key to longevity as simply formula of living off a diet of goji berries, Chinese herbs, and rice wine, and following the principles of Eastern philosophy.
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
So…Chinese wolf berries? Will eating them help you live forever? Not sure, but considering their high nutritional value, the results will still be pretty positive.
THE SKINNY
- Gram for gram, these little red berries pack more vitamin C than oranges and more beta-carotene than carrots.
- Goji berries are low in calories and completely fat free.
- 1/4 Cup Serving (28 g) of these berries has about 100 calories, 4 grams of protein, more than your daily dose of Vitamin A, plenty of Vitamin C and E, and they are high in fiber and calcium as well.
- They also contain 18 amino acids (the building blocks to protein), 21 minerals, and are very high in antioxidants, making them one of the most nutritionally beneficial foods available.
- Goji berries are similar in taste to raisins or perhaps closer to something between a cranberry and a cherry, with tart, slight bitterness at the end.
- You can find them in most health food stores or higher-end grocery stores with a natural foods section.
Goji Berries are not cheap by any means. Buying them in bulk makes sense.
- Goji berries can be used in place of any other dried fruit; eat them raw, in a trail mix, with muesli or oatmeal, or bake them in muffins, scones or cookies. Let your imagination soar!
