When it comes to goji berries, everyone is familiar with them, especially their eye-catching red color, which is captivating. As for how goji berries are used, many people often soak them in water or add a few when cooking congee. In fact, simply soaking goji berries in water does not allow the human body to fully absorb their nutrients. How can you eat goji berries to get more nutrients?
Goji berries have been known as the "red treasure" since ancient times, first appearing in the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" and being listed as a top-grade product. For thousands of years, they have been deeply loved by people. As a plant that is both medicine and food, goji berries contain many nutrients that are very beneficial to human health.
High in Vitamin C
When it comes to Vitamin C, many people know that its antioxidant capacity is relatively strong. It can not only lower serum cholesterol but also promote the synthesis of collagen, making the skin more beautiful. Vegetables and fruits that we often eat contain Vitamin C, for example, citrus fruits have a Vitamin C content of 28mg/100g, while the Vitamin C content in goji berries is surprisingly 500 times that of citrus. With such a high content, its beauty and skin-care effects are even more noteworthy.
High in Carotenoids
Generally, dark red or red fruits and vegetables contain β-carotene, and goji berries are the richest source of β-carotene, containing even more than carrots themselves. After entering the human body, β-carotene is converted into Vitamin A, which can not only improve eyesight but also enhance the body's immune system and prevent respiratory diseases such as colds.
Strong Antioxidant Capacity
The highly praised blueberry's value has doubled due to its high content of anthocyanin, which has strong antioxidant properties. In fact, the antioxidant capacity of goji berries far exceeds that of blueberries. The rich β-carotene, Vitamin C, and zeaxanthin are all excellent antioxidant nutrients that can not only scavenge free radicals and prevent cancer but also slow down the aging of the skin, making the beautiful appearance more radiant and brilliant.
High in Polysaccharides
The polysaccharide content in goji berries is very rich, accounting for about 5% of the dry weight of goji berries. Such a large amount of polysaccharides can not only protect the liver and improve immunity but also have anti-tumor effects.
With such excellent goji berries, simply soaking them in water is a waste. Even when adding a few to congee, it is difficult to fully absorb the nutrients. So, how should they be consumed to maximize their effectiveness?
Soaking goji berries with chrysanthemum flowers is a method that many people prefer. After drinking the goji berry water, do not throw away the goji berries. Instead, you can scoop them out, chew them slowly, and eat them directly. This allows for more complete absorption of the nutrients in the goji berries. However, when chewing goji berries, it is important to note that the amount should be reduced appropriately to avoid excessive supplementation.