Goji berries, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have various effects such as nourishing the liver and kidneys, replenishing essence, and improving eyesight. However, most office workers, for the sake of convenience, simply soak them in water to drink. Experts say that the nutrients in goji berry water alone are not fully absorbed. Below, the editor will introduce the disadvantages of drinking goji berry water. Let's take a look.
Many office workers like to drink goji berry water, and they can list many of its benefits: improving eyesight, nourishing the kidneys, and lowering blood sugar. But experts say that the nutrients in goji berry water alone are not fully absorbed. Goji berries are rich in various trace elements and vitamins, which can nourish yin, protect the eyes, and enhance immunity. For generations, doctors have used goji berries to treat blurred vision and night blindness caused by insufficient liver blood and kidney yin deficiency.
Recent research in the UK has found that goji berries can slow down aging, but this effect is only present with consistent consumption; eating them once or twice occasionally has no effect. Soaking goji berries in water is the most common method, but most of the vitamins in goji berries are water-soluble and can be easily destroyed by heat. Moreover, substances like carotene are difficult to fully absorb. It is best to soak them in warm water for a short while or to chew a few dry berries.
However, goji berries are not suitable for everyone. Those with weak constitutions and poor immunity can eat more. But because of their strong warming effect on the body, people with colds, fevers, inflammation, or diarrhea should avoid them. Goji berries also have an "expiration date." Goji berries with a wine-like smell have spoiled and should not be eaten.
What are the harms of eating too many goji berries?
Goji berries are suitable for people with weak constitutions and poor immunity. However, to see effects, one must take them consistently over a long period by consuming a small amount daily. Goji berries contain betaine, amino acids, carotene, vitamins B1, B2, C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other components that are beneficial to human health. However, it is important to control the dosage. Excessive consumption of goji berries can cause symptoms like "heatiness" (上火), nosebleeds, and even red, uncomfortable, and swollen eyes.
What should you not eat with goji berries?
1. Many people like to add goji berries to their tea, but not all teas are suitable to be consumed with goji berries. The most unsuitable combination is green tea. Drinking them together can form a substance in the body that cannot be absorbed, which, if retained for a long time, can cause serious damage to the body.
2. Goji berries are generally not suitable to be consumed with large amounts of "warming" and nourishing supplements such as longan, red ginseng, and red dates.
3. Goji berries should not be consumed with dairy products, such as cheese, milk, or goat's milk.
4. Goji berries should not be consumed with foods like dog meat, beef, or crab.
These people should best avoid eating goji berries
1. People with yin deficiency are prone to "heatiness" (上火) when eating goji berries.
People with a yin-deficient constitution should pay attention to their intake of goji berries in the summer. Because goji berries are sweet and warm, excessive consumption can lead to "heatiness," and the amount should be reduced, especially when eaten raw.
Self-test: See if you have a yin-deficient constitution
A yin-deficient constitution refers to a type of constitution often accompanied by "virtual fire" (虚火). Due to the depletion of substances like essence, blood, and body fluids, yin cannot control yang, leading to a relative excess of yang-heat. The body is in a state of virtual excitement, which reduces adaptability and accelerates aging. Clinical manifestations often include a lean body, flushed face and feverish sensation, vexation with heat in the five centers (palms, soles, chest, abdomen, and head), dry mouth and throat, night sweats and seminal emissions, vexation and poor sleep, a red tongue with little coating, a rapid and fine pulse, intolerance to spring and summer, and a preference for cold drinks.
2. People with colds, fevers, or inflammation should not eat them.
Although goji berries have excellent nourishing and therapeutic effects, they are not suitable for everyone. Because of their strong warming effect on the body, people who currently have a cold, fever, inflammation, or diarrhea should best avoid them.
3. People with high blood pressure and those who over-consume meat should not eat them.
Because of the strong warming effect of goji berries, people with high blood pressure, a very irritable temperament, or those who normally consume large amounts of meat and have a flushed face should best avoid them.
In conclusion: Often, for convenience, people use the simplest methods to eat food, but they don't realize that sometimes this method can reduce nutritional value.