Nowadays, people are always in the habit of tossing a small handful of goji berries into their teacups and steeping them with boiling water, believing that it can improve eyesight, nourish the kidneys, and supplement vitamins. But is this method of drinking goji berries in water really effective?
Goji berries are rich in various trace elements and vitamins, which can nourish yin and enhance immunity. However, most of the vitamins in goji berries are water-soluble and can be easily destroyed by heat. If you want to use goji berries to supplement vitamins, it is best to briefly soak the dried goji berries in warm water, or sprinkle a handful on top of dishes or congee after they are cooked, using them as an ingredient. This way, the loss of vitamins can be minimized.
The reason goji berries are beneficial for the eyes is that they are rich in nutrients such as carotene, vitamins, calcium, and iron, earning them the nickname "bright-eye berries." People with a weak constitution and poor resistance can eat more of them. However, goji berries have a strong effect of warming the body, so it is best for people with colds, fevers, inflammation, or diarrhea to avoid them. Additionally, goji berries also have a "shelf life," and spoiled goji berries should not be eaten.