Goji berries have the effects of nourishing yin and blood, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and benefiting essence and improving eyesight. The poet Lu You, in his old age, suffered from blurred vision and often ate goji berries, leaving behind the poem line: "After the snow clears, the thatched hall is quiet with the sound of bells and chimes; in the morning meal, a bowl of goji berry soup." Goji berries are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, considered mild among tonifying Chinese medicines. Some people always keep goji berries at home, using them to make tea, cook porridge, or even chewing a few dry ones daily. However, goji berries are not suitable for everyone.
I. People with a "hot" constitution
While goji berries are nourishing, they also have a warming effect on the body. Therefore, people with internal damp-heat or phlegm-dampness obstruction, manifesting as high blood pressure, an irritable and quick-tempered personality, a flushed face from a meat-heavy diet, or those with a cold, fever, inflammation, or diarrhea, should best avoid them. Otherwise, not only will they fail to achieve a health-preserving effect, but they may also worsen their condition.
II. People with weak spleen and stomach
Secondly, people with a weak spleen and stomach or poor digestion should not eat goji berries during the hot summer, as it may lead to decreased appetite, a feeling of fullness and bloating in the upper abdomen, or regurgitation of sour fluid.
III. People with hyperactive libido
Again, goji berries have a significant effect on nourishing the kidneys and benefiting essence. There is a folk saying, "If you are traveling a thousand miles, do not eat goji berries." Modern research shows that goji berries have a stimulating effect on the nervous system and can enhance sexual function, so people with a naturally overactive libido should not take them.
IV. Diabetics
In addition, goji berries have a relatively high sugar content, so diabetics should not consume them in excess.
Goji berries are suitable for people with a weak constitution
Goji berries have effects such as protecting the liver, anti-fatigue, and anti-aging, and can enhance immunity, making them suitable for people with low resistance and a weak physique. Generally, people with low immunity can eat them year-round.
The Ten Major Health Benefits of Goji Berries
1. Liver Protection and Anti-Fatty Liver
Goji berries have the effect of protecting the liver and kidneys, can inhibit fat deposition in liver cells, and promote the regeneration of liver cells.
2. Improving Eyesight
Goji berries are rich in essential nutrients for healthy eyes, such as carotene, vitamins A1, B1, B2, C, and calcium and iron. They are therefore good for improving eyesight, hence the common name "bright-eye fruit."历代医家治疗肝血不足、肾阴亏虚引起的视物昏花和夜盲症，常常使用枸杞子。(历代医家治疗肝血不足、肾阴亏虚引起的视物昏花和夜盲症，常常使用枸杞子。)
3. Anti-Cancer
Goji berries have a significant inhibitory effect on the generation and spread of cancer cells. Results from modern experiments and clinical applications show that drinking goji berry leaf tea regularly can significantly improve and enhance the immune and physiological functions of the elderly, the weak, and cancer patients, strengthening the body and delaying aging. When used in conjunction with chemotherapy for cancer patients, it can reduce toxic side effects, prevent a decrease in white blood cells, and regulate immune function.
4. Anti-Fatigue
Goji berries can significantly increase the reserves of muscle glycogen and liver glycogen, boost human vitality, and have an anti-fatigue effect.
5. Anti-Aging
The entire goji plant is valuable. Goji berries are rich in various nutrients such as goji protein polysaccharide, vitamin C, phosphorus, and iron. They can tonify deficiency and generate essence and are used in medicine or to make tea, wine, or soups. Regular consumption can strengthen the body. The leaves, flowers, and roots of the goji plant are also superior health foods. One of the active ingredients rich in the goji berry peel, goji polysaccharide (LBP), has a significant enhancing effect on bone marrow hematopoietic function and various cellular immune indicators. It can significantly increase the active content of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the body's blood, liver, and muscle tissues, which is beneficial for scavenging active oxygen, delaying aging, and combating fatigue.
6. Boosting Immunity
Eating goji berries can support the body's foundation and expel pathogenic factors, not only enhancing the body's functions and promoting recovery but also improving the body's ability to resist disease and fend off pathogens. It enhances the body's adaptability to various harmful stimuli.
7. Lowering Blood Sugar
Because goji berries contain guanidine derivatives, they can lower blood sugar. Therefore, goji berries can be used as a health supplement for diabetics.
8. Beautifying the Skin
Many people don't know that eating goji berries regularly can improve the skin's appearance. This is because goji berries can enhance the skin's ability to absorb oxygen and also have a whitening effect. Goji berries have a significant therapeutic effect on psoriasis and also have varying degrees of efficacy for other skin diseases.
9. Nourishing the Kidneys
Goji berries are the best choice for health preservation in ancient and modern times, with the effect of prolonging life.历代医家着重于枸杞子的滋补肝肾作用，近代人们对枸杞子的化学成分和药理作用有了进一步的认识，在临床上扩大了其使用范围。(历代医家着重于枸杞子的滋补肝肾作用，近代人们对枸杞子的化学成分和药理作用有了进一步的认识，在临床上扩大了其使用范围。)
10. Lowering Blood Pressure
Using goji berries can significantly lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce and prevent arteriosclerosis, and treat hypertension. It is a good health supplement for people with coronary heart disease.
How to Eat Goji Berries for the Best Health Benefits
I. Add a handful when stir-frying or making porridge.
Goji berries are rich in various trace elements and vitamins and can nourish yin and enhance immunity, but they only have medicinal value when consumed consistently; eating them once or twice occasionally has no effect.
Using goji berries to make tea is the most common method, but most of the vitamins in goji berries are water-soluble and can be easily destroyed by heat.
It is recommended to briefly soak the dried goji berries and add a little as an ingredient when stir-frying, making porridge, or steaming buns and boiling dumplings.
II. Eat them like a regular food.
The reason goji berries are good for the eyes is that they are rich in nutritional elements like carotene, vitamins, calcium, and iron, earning them the nickname "bright-eye fruit."历代医家治疗肝血不足、肾阴亏虚引起的视物昏花和夜盲症，常使用枸杞。(历代医家治疗肝血不足、肾阴亏虚引起的视物昏花和夜盲症，常使用枸杞。) A good way to eat goji berries is to incorporate them into regular foods like congee, soups, and dishes. This not only provides nourishment but also avoids causing internal "heat." However, goji berries are not for everyone. Those with a weak constitution and low resistance can eat more. But because of their strong warming effect, people with colds, fevers, inflammation, or diarrhea should best avoid them. Additionally, goji berries have an "expiration date." Goji berries that have a wine-like smell have spoiled and should not be eaten.
III. Add some when making soy milk.
Goji berries are a great thing. Recently, British researchers have also discovered the anti-aging effects of goji berries. Many people use goji berries to make tea, but I generally don't do it this way. Because simply soaking them briefly makes it difficult for the vitamins, carotene, and other nutrients to be fully absorbed. I usually add a small handful of goji berries when making soy milk with a soy milk machine, so that the various nutrients and trace elements in the goji berries can be fully utilized.