Goji Berries: A Summer Highlight Superfood | Health & Wellbeing

Photo Credit: "© [Olena Rudo] / Adobe Stock

The seasons have changed, summer is here, and you’re ready to overhaul your diet. It’s out with tomato soups and snacking on chocolate and in with fresh summer foods that invigorate your body. And we have the perfect summer superfood for you.

Goji berries are a wonderful way to kickstart your summer. Read on for the benefits of goji berries and ways to eat them for summertime bliss.

What are goji berries?

Photo Credit: "© [Iryna] / Adobe Stock

Goji berries are small red berries that grow on a shrub-like plant in parts of Asia. They’re also known as wolfberries and are usually cooked or dried before being eaten. Despite their tiny size, they’re classed as a superfood because they’re packed with essential vitamins and minerals to benefit your health.

What do goji berries taste like?

Photo Credit: "© [Vladislav Noseek] / Adobe Stock

Goji berries have a sharp, tart flavour with a hint of sweetness. They pair well with savoury foods, like sweet potato, for a twist of subtle berry. They also give sweet treats a sour tang and complement strong flavours like dark chocolate.

You can get dried goji berries, goji berry powder and goji berry juice. You can also rehydrate dried goji berries to make flavoured water or to brew an energising tea.

What are the benefits of eating goji berries?

Photo Credit: "© [StratfordProductions] / Adobe Stock

The mighty little goji berry is packed with nutrients that supercharge your body for energy over the summer. Here are some of the top benefits of adding these berries to you diet:

Bursting with vitamin C

Photo Credit: "© [Irina Ukrainets] / Adobe Stock

Goji berries are overflowing with vitamin C, an essential component for collagen, which you need for bouncy, glowing skin. Consuming goji berries is the perfect way to super-boost collagen synthesis and revitalise your complexion. But the tiny fruit doesn’t just pack a vitamin C punch.

Goji berry vitamins include copper to boost energy and protect your immune system. They also contain iron to help with oxygen transportation and zinc to support metabolism. And it doesn’t stop there. The berry has potassium to look after your heart health, and manganese, which reduces blood clotting and balances your libido.

Amazing antioxidant

Photo Credit: "© [AI Farm] / Adobe Stock

Over summer, you’re exposed to UV rays from sunlight, which triggers harmful free radicals in the body. The radicals damage skin cells, creating a dry complexion and premature ageing. They can also cause inflammation and even some types of cancer.

Goji berries are powerful antioxidants that defend you from free radicals. Antioxidants have ‘spare’ molecules, which attach to the loose radical, stabilising the atom and stopping it from causing damage.

Incredible anti-inflammatory

Photo Credit: "© [anitasstudio] / Adobe Stock

Inflammation is an immune response when cells swell, often causing pain and redness. Some signs of inflammation include bloating, acne, hair loss and irritability. Inflammation is triggered by stressors such as excessive alcohol, a high-sugar diet, lack of sleep, smoking, stress and a sedentary lifestyle.

You may struggle with inflammation during the summer from higher exposure to UV rays and a change in lifestyle. For example, having one two many classes of Pimms or eating sugary foods like ice cream.

Goji berries soothe irritated cells, calm swelling, and reduce inflammation symptoms. That means a happier immune system so you can make the most of your summer.

The best goji berries

Photo Credit: "© [New Africa] / Adobe Stock

Choosing high-quality goji berries will give you maximum nutritional benefits and taste. Here are our favourite goji berries to eat this summer:

Organic Goji Berries - The best organic goji berries with no added sugar, preservatives or colouring. Just nature at its finest.
Grape Tree Goji Berries - If you want the incredible benefits of goji berries on a budget, our antioxidant goji berries are perfect.
Goji Berries 1kg - Need to stock up? These bulk goji berries will stay fresh and sweet in your cupboard.

Best ways to eat goji berries

Photo Credit: "© [Pixel-Shot] / Adobe Stock

You have your gorgeous red goji berries, and you’re ready to eat them for a healthy diet. But you need ideas! Read on for different ways to eat the refreshing superfood:

Sprinkle raw goji berries into your cereal.
Add fresh goji berries to a trail mix (try our Omega Mix with Chia and Goji).
Brew goji berry herbal tea.
Bake organic dried goji berries into cakes.
Make goji juice.
Enjoy dark chocolate goji berries.

FAQs about organic goji berries

It’s common to have a few questions when you’re trying a superfood for the first time. Find the answers to frequently asked questions about goji berries below:

Is it OK to eat goji berries every day?

It’s safe to eat goji berries daily. There’s no official amount to consume per day but around 15 grams is recommended to get the numerous vitamins and minerals without overloading your body.

Are dried goji berries as good as fresh ones?

Yes, dried goji berries are as tasty and nutritious as fresh goji berries. When the berries are fresh they contain water. The drying process removes the water content, preserving the vitamins and minerals and leaving the fruit soft and tangy.

Do goji berries have side effects?

You’re unlikely to experience side effects from the superfood, but they can impact specific medications. Some of these include diabetes medications and blood thinners. So, if you’re thinking about trying goji berries and on medication, it’s safe to check with your doctor first.

It’s possible that goji berries can contract the uterus, so it’s sensible to not consume them if you’re pregnant or think you might be pregnant. It’s also best to avoid goji berries if you’re menstruating as they may worsen menstrual cramping.

Some people are also allergic to goji berries. So, if you have an intolerance to fruits like tomatoes and peaches or a nut allergy, you might want to skip this red berry.

Beautify your body with the goji berry superfood

We stock goji berries whole foods for glowing skin, a happy heart, more energy and protection against inflammation. Drink goji berry tea, sprinkle over your cereal, or eat them as they are for their citrusy sweet tang. Stock up on delicious goji berries with Grape Tree today.