Goji

Chocked by K. C. NAINANf and G. E. RYSCHKEWITSCHf Checked independently by GOJI KODAMAt... 

Y. Hirabayashi, H. Ishihara, Y. Ogi, T. Miyake, H. Oida, N. Kondo and H. Goji, Nippon Kagako Kaishi, 1987,1475 (Chem. Abstr., 1988.109,6166z). 

Proteins are made of amino acids arranged in chains joined by bonds that distinguish them as peptides. Proteins are essential parts of all plants and animals, participating in every process of cell structure and function. Some proteins are important for cell communication, immune responses, and life cycle. Proteins are also necessary in your diet, because the body cannot synthesize all the amino acids required for proteins to build cells, so you must obtain essential amino acids from proteins in your foods. Among superfruits particularly excellent as sources of amino acids and proteins are fig, goji, kiwifruit, seaberry, and guava. 

Some superfruits have exceptional natural amounts of phytosterols in their skins, pulp, and edible seeds. A af berries, dried goji berries (wolfberries), and seaberries are examples of rich sources, but all whole superfruits would contain some, especially those having edible seeds (see Appendix B for more information). 

Fiber. Diets rich in dietary fiber, especially prebiotic fiber, have broad physiological benefits, including decreased blood levels of cholesterol and lowered risk of several types of cancer and coronary artery disease. The top superfruit sources of fiber are mangoes, figs, oranges, strawberries, the Rubus berries (raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries), goji berries (wolfberries), kiwifruits, dates, a ai berries (as a puree or pulp), seaberries, and dried plums (prunes). 

In other laboratory studies, anthocyanins, tannins, or other polyphenols from red grapes, black or red raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, goji berries (wolfberries), a ai berries, or pomegranates were shown to inhibit promotion and growth of premalignant cancer cells by the following specific mechanisms ... 

Also significant in goji is its rich content of polysaccharides, which are high in macronutrient value as prebiotic fiber, providing a host of potential health benefits, such as the capability of lowering blood cholesterol and reducing cancer risk. 

Typical of many members of the botanical plant family Solanaceae, which also includes the tomato, eggplant, and pepper, goji is phytochemically rich, characterized by having both major classes of pigments—carotenoids and polyphenols, identified in laboratory research as having antidisease mechanisms. Goji appears to be one of the richest plant sources of the carotenoid zeaxanthin (closely related in chemical structure to the... 

Dried goji berries are the most popular and most common product format. Having the consistency of low-moisture raisins, they may be an acquired taste for some consumers to appreciate the unfamiliar blend of tomato-nut-cranberry flavors Goji berry pieces are being used more often as ingredients in nutrition bars and cereals. Just thirty dried goji berries equal one fruit serving. 

Goji is also available as an orange-red, sweet, rich juice with fruity, tomato-like flavors, making it a novel ingredient and color for blending with more ordinary juices. In specialty stores and on Internet sites, you ll... 

Tfank Among 20 Superfruits 5th (tied with goji) "u r ent Content 2/5 Phytochemical Content 4/5 Medical Research Activity 4/5 Position in Research Pyramid 4/5 Popularity 5/5... 

Among these red-tan superfruits, mango (certain cultivars), red guava, and goji contain both orange-yellow carotenoids and red antho-cyanins. These three superfruits are also hard-to-beat sources of vitamin C and fiber, so they effectively supply the four superfruit signatures. 

From the list of nature s top twenty superfruits, goji, seaberry, and acai are three that are exotic and perhaps the most difficult to obtain in whole-fruit form. However, other product formats are becoming increasingly popular. 

Goji (Wolfberry). Goji berries are commercially grown in China and may be sold regionally there as fresh, but they are not exported fresh. You can get them as dried berries—having a consistency like that of dry... 

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