Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Goji Berries Are Incredible but Shop Carefully

By Alonzo Chang

Goji Berries are an incredible superfood that are greatly in demand, however as a result Wolfberries from polluted areas in China are sometimes sold as Goji Berries. Wild-crafted Tibetan Goji Berry (Lycum Eleagnus Barbarum) are distinctly different from Chinese Wolfberries((Chinese Lycee or Lycium Barbarum) These two berries are two distinct berries with significant differences in a nutritional value.

In Tibet Goji Berries have an almost legendary reputation for having a multitude of nutritional benefits. Tibet is as a natural and pristine environment as there is on earth. Wolfberries are harvested commercially in China and like many Chinese agricultural products lack regulation with regards to pesticides, herbicides and DDT. Chinese agricultural products also suffer from depleted minerals in the soil that is caused by over farming. All these factors raise legitimate questions about the nutritional value and risks of Chinese Wolfberries.

Tibet is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with clean air and rich soils. Tibet's pristine environment is the optimal environment for growing the most nutritious and clean goji berries in the world. Goji berries' nutritional profile is rich in vitamins, minerals and immune enhancing polysaccharides. To ensure that the Goji Berries provide you with maximum nutritional benefits and are not compromised by environmental pollution choosing Goji Berries from Tibet is your best option.

Berries grown in China are Wolfberries not Goji Berries. In terms of comparing the two, Goji Berries are much more nutritionally dense than Wolfberries. One major example in the differences between Goji Berries and Wolfberries is their make up in terms of amino acids and trace minerals. Goji Berries may cost a little more than Wolfberries, but there are good reasons for that price difference and Goji Berries represent the better nutrition and better value.

The nutritional density, amount of polysaccharides, and antioxidant levels(ORAC units) in Tibetan Goji Berries are all higher than in Chinese Wolfberries. The amounts of those attributes of Tibetan Goji Berries have been all confirmed by certified USDA registered laboratory reports.

There are over 40 varieties of Goji berry or wolfberry on the planet. It is important to know what you are getting. - 17944

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