Description and useful properties of Chinese Dereza fruits, chemical composition. Contraindications when taking goji berries, how they are eaten, recipes of traditional medicine and cooking. Chinese Dereza (Latin Lycium chinense, English Goji Berries, wolfberry, Tibetan barberry, goji) is a deciduous shrub plant of the Solanaceae family. Its branches and yellowish-gray shoots grow up to four meters, and therefore take the form of drooping arcs or spread along the ground. Light green leaves up to eight centimeters long have an oval appearance, resembling a lancet, and are attached to the branches on small petioles. The flowers on the peduncle grow one at a time or in a bunch of up to 4 pieces have a beautiful purple-violet color, very similar to potato flowers. Fruits are ovoid or oval, coral-colored, about 2.5 cm. There are many small seeds inside. The shrub blooms all summer until October, begins to bear fruit in August. In nature, it grows in China, its northeastern part and Japan. Cultivated in many countries of the world. The berries are dried or consumed fresh, the juice is squeezed out, which is then concentrated to be stored for later use in the preparation of various drinks.
Composition and calorie content of Chinese wolfberry fruit
In China, this plant has been known for more than 2000 years, but in order to understand what its benefits are, it is worth considering the composition and nutritional value of the Chinese wolfberry fruit.
The calorie content of goji per 100 grams of dry berries is 348.9 kcal, of which:
- Proteins - 14, 26 g;
- Fat - 0, 39 g;
- Carbohydrates - 45, 61 g;
- Dietary fiber - 13 g.
The Chinese wolfberry contains 21 minerals, of which:
- Calcium - 190 mg;
- Potassium - 1, 132 mg;
- Iron - 6, 8 mg;
- Copper - 2 mg
Also, goji berries contain iodine, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, manganese.
Vitamins per 100 g:
- Beta-carotene - 12 mg;
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) - 1, 3 mg;
- Vitamin C - 48.4 mg;
- Vitamin A - 26822 IU.
Goji berries contain zeaxanthin dipalmitate (162 mg) and lycopene (1.4 mg).
100 g of dried fruit contains 18 amino acids (9 essential) with a total content of 11 g, this is an exceptional concentration. Omega-6 is also present in the seeds.
Dereza chinese fruit (goji berry) is an excellent source of dietary fiber with a high density of polysaccharides (10% or 3 g per 30 g serving), recommended for daily fiber intake.
They contain lysine, betaine, as well as hydrocyanic acid, alkaloids, phenolic derivatives, bioflavonoids (21, 25 mg / g): rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin. There is much more rutin in the leaves than in the fruits, they can be used as a tea. Other phytocomponents include phytosterols, scopoletin, terpenes, and betaine.
Useful properties of goji berries
Many parts of the shrub have a beneficial effect on the human body. Leaves, bark, roots, fruits - all of this has long been used in Chinese medicine.
Benefits of goji berries:
- Powerful antioxidant … Vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoids provide support for the body in the fight against oxidative processes, increase the protective functions of the immune system, erect barriers to the formation of free radicals, which means that they slow down the aging process and postpone the likelihood of age-related diseases, and reduce the risk of susceptibility to heart disease. It is possible to isolate antioxidant pigments from polyphenol (water-soluble phenolic acids) and carotenoid (lipid-soluble). With both classes of pigments not usually found together in other foods, goji are exceptional fruits with this antioxidant protection.
- Prevention of diabetes … Eating berries twice a day for 90 days lowers blood sugar after meals in people with diabetes. It works best in patients who are not taking medication for it.
- Elimination of dry eyes … Eating a Tibetan barberry drink and using eye drops for one month can reduce dry eye symptom better than other medications alone.
- Fighting Age-Related Macular Eye Disease … Zeaxanthin is a natural antioxidant that has a filtering effect in the macular part of the retina.
- Improving the quality of life … Drinking juice from the fruit for 30 days improves various measures of quality of life: increased energy, improved sleep, positive changes in solving mental problems, increased mood and feelings of satisfaction.
- Normalization of body weight … Including dry goji berry juice or drink in your diet for 2 weeks will help you lose weight better than just diet and exercise. Dried fruits contain optimal amounts of pyridoxine (vitamin B6), thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. These vitamins act as cofactors to help the human body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Liver protection … Betaine contained in fruits can protect the liver from the effects of toxic chemicals and help in the treatment of chronic diseases, has hepatoprotective activity.
- Depressant … The same betaine acts as a relaxing, anticonvulsant, and vasodilator. And its combination with licin improves memory.
- Skin protection … Zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin and lutein have an important mission in protecting the skin and mucous membranes from aging and free radicals.
- Mineral replenishment … Dried fruits are a battery of essential elements. Iron, a component of hemoglobin within red blood cells, determines the oxygen capacity of the blood. Calcium is an essential mineral that makes up bones and teeth, and is required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting and nerve impulse conduction.
- Improving gastrointestinal functions … The fruits have laxative properties. The polysaccharides contained in them stimulate the excretion of intestinal contents by activating the motor-secretory function. Thus, toxins and metabolic products are removed. Polysaccharides also support the necessary microflora composition.
- Increase testosterone … Modern animal studies have shown that goji berries increase the number and movement of sperm, improve erection, sexual activity, and increase testosterone levels.
- Prevention of prostate cancer … Lycopene is one of the most powerful antioxidants, and its consumption is associated with a reduced risk of cancer.
- Reduced stress … This is the "berry of happiness." An important byproduct of tryptophan is a substance that works in the brain and central nervous system to enhance feelings of well-being and security. It does this by increasing the production of serotonin. Serotonin is released when we eat certain comfort foods such as carbohydrates, the addition of tryptophan helps control appetite, facilitates easier weight loss.
Important! In the USA, Canada, China, studies are being conducted on the effect of Chinese dereza preparations in the treatment of cancer. The fruit contains beta-sitosterol. It can reduce the scale of cancer cells and provoke their "suicide". Many publications on this subject are of a commercial nature. None of the studies have yet been completed or have inconclusive, insignificant results. More trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic effect.
Contraindications and harm of goji berries
A person may have an individual intolerance to the fruit of Chinese wolfberry.
Goji berries will also be harmful if a diabetic takes special drugs and at the same time this product, while the sugar indicator may drop.
Since goggles reduce blood pressure when taken regularly, uncontrolled use of fruits and medicines can cause a drop in blood pressure.
These berries should not be taken together with anticoagulants, they can increase their effect and cause bleeding.
Betaine is harmful during pregnancy. Increasing the contraction of the uterus can cause miscarriage.
How are the fruits of the Chinese wolfberry eaten?
Dried goji berries have a sweet fresh aroma somewhat similar to roasted nuts. Their taste is a combination of walnut, tomato and cranberry. The pure juice tastes like sweet fruit tomato juice with a nutty flavor and pleasant sour tones.
The ripe fruits of Chinese wolfberry are eaten like any berry, right from the bush.
Soak dried fruits in warm water for 10 minutes, they will become soft and juicy. You can add them to tea with lemon or eat like raisins. To maintain immunity, you need to eat 30 g of fruit per day, divided into three servings.
To make sauces, cocktails, it is better to grind the berries first in a coffee grinder or food processor.
Goji berry food and drink recipes
This superfood can be eaten fresh or dried, made juices, smoothies and teas, mixed into baked goods, soups, salads.
Delicious Goji Berry Recipes:
- Spicy soup … Wash and soak 100 g of berries for a few minutes until they soften a little. Heat 1 tbsp. l. olive oil and sauté one chopped onion and a small chili for a couple of minutes. Add 130 g of mashed tomatoes, wolfberry and 1 tsp. cumin seeds. Pour in 450 ml of vegetable broth, when it boils, cook for 10 minutes. At the end, add 1 tbsp. l. crushed coriander leaves. You can put 1 tbsp. l. cream, sour cream.
- Coconut ginger rice … For this goji berry recipe, rinse with 1 tbsp. round rice until the water is clear. In 1 st. l. stew vegetable oil for 3 minutes 2 tbsp. l. chopped onion, 1 tsp. minced garlic and chili. Pour in rice, pour in 1 tbsp. coconut milk and 0.5 tbsp. water. Put 1 tbsp. l. grated ginger, 0.5 tsp. sea salt. Boil. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Add 0.5 cups of wolfberry fruit, let it simmer under the lid for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the finished dish with fresh goji, toasted sesame seeds (1 tsp), coconut flakes (1 tbsp.), Pour lime juice and sesame oil 1 tbsp each. l.
- Cupcakes … Grate 200 g apples and sprinkle with lemon. In a large bowl, beat 80 g of honey and 100 g of softened butter with an electric whisk. Drive in 2 eggs in turn. In a bowl, mix flour - 120 g, baking powder - 2 tsp, 100 g of wolfberry fruit, 100 g of oatmeal, 1 tbsp. l. chopped nuts. Pour honey-egg mass into this mixture. Mix everything with a silicone spatula, and finally add the grated apples. Put the dough in muffin tins, if some berries peep out on the surface, then they need to be immersed in the dough, otherwise they will burn. Bake for half an hour at 180 degrees, until they turn wheat color. You can check the readiness with a dry stick. Serve with quince jam or sour cream.
Recipes for drinks from the fruit of the Chinese wolfberry:
- Ginger Warming Tea … All ingredients - coarsely chopped ginger root, chopped lemon, 2 crushed green cardamom fruits, cinnamon stick, apple slices, 1 liter of water - bring to a boil, cook for 5 minutes. Strain (what remains can be used again). Put one tablespoon of frozen or fresh wolfberry in a cup of hot tea. If the berries are dry, then they can be added one minute before the end of the brewing of the warming drink.
- Super antioxidant cocktail … Take two tablespoons of cashews and goji, chop, mix in a blender with 300 ml of water, add one glass of any frozen berries and one peeled banana. Beat everything.
- Useful fruit decoction … Pour a tablespoon of wolfberry with 250 ml of boiling water, leave in a steam bath for ten minutes. Let it brew for one hour, so that all the nutrients go into the infusion. You can strain it, or you can take it with berries, but first add boiled water so that the volume is 250 ml. Such a decoction will help neurasthenics, it should be drunk to increase potency.
- Healing decoction of the root bark … Pour a teaspoon of bark with boiling water (200 ml), keep in a water bath for 15 minutes, leave to brew for one hour, strain. Add water to 200 ml, drink 1/2 cup three to six times with fever, neurasthenia.
- Infusion of leaves … Pour a tablespoon of leaves with 250 ml of boiling water, keep it covered for half an hour, strain. Drink in several doses throughout the day as a tonic.
Interesting facts about Chinese Dereza
For the first time this plant was described in scientific literature by Karl Linnaeus in 1753, and the shrub received its final Latin name in 1768 from Philip Miller. In Russia, it has been cultivated since 1709, and in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden - since 1814. There are up to 100 types of relatives of the Chinese beauty.
A published report on the absorptive capacity of the antioxidant radical states that dry berries have 30-300 ORAC units per 100 g. This makes goji one of the best plant foods for this indicator, which is about 6 times higher than blueberries or red raspberries. …
The plant has attracted such significant interest that over 100 medical studies have been completed over the past 20 years. Since 2005, 2 books have been published. For comparison: there are no scientific books about blueberries, cranberries, strawberries. Every year at harvest time, the locals of Ningxia province in China celebrate the goji festival in the month of August to celebrate the plant's importance in their culture.
Watch a video about Chinese Dereza:
Goji is grown in many countries of the world as an ornamental plant that adorns gardens and parks, first with its bright flowers, and then with fiery berries. China currently produces over 5 million kilograms of dried fruit every year, with most of it for domestic use.
