Goji berries are excellent for both food and medicine, so how should they be taken for the best effect? Three types of people may experience side effects from eating goji berries.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, goji berries are believed to tonify the kidneys and essence, nourish the liver and improve vision, and moisten the lungs to relieve cough. Modern research indicates that goji berries contain a large amount of carotene, vitamins, essential proteins for the human body, crude fat, and nutrients such as phosphorus and iron. Among these, the vitamin C content is higher than in oranges, and the beta-carotene content is higher than in carrots. Furthermore, goji berries can enhance immunity and have liver-protecting, anti-fatigue, and anti-aging effects, making them suitable for individuals with low resistance or a weak constitution.
Generally speaking, for healthy adults, it is appropriate to consume about 20 grams of goji berries per day, which can be increased to 30 grams for therapeutic purposes. Goji berries should be consumed regularly, but not in large quantities at once. When steeping goji berries in water or using them in soups, drinking only the broth does not fully absorb the nutrients of the goji berries; it is best to eat the berries as well.
Without any processing, chewing goji berries directly allows for more complete absorption of nutrients. You can rinse the goji berries with water and chew them, but the dosage should be halved compared to steeping them in water or using them in soups.
Because goji berries have a significant effect of warming the body, it is best to avoid consuming them when you have a cold, fever, or inflammation. At the same time, goji berries have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, so they are not suitable for individuals with excessive libido. Additionally, goji berries are relatively high in sugar, containing 19.3 grams per 100 grams, so individuals with diabetes should use them with caution and avoid excessive consumption.