Goji Berries Benefits to the Macula

Goji Benefits

This fruit offers a balance of daily macronutrients of carbohydrates, high-quality protein, healthy fat, and soluble fiber.

Goji berries is a plant-based protein and surprisingly is packed with 18 amino acids -- including all 8 essential amino acids – which is 10% of the fruits composition.

Also full of antioxidants, these berries have been historically used to support the immune system and longevity.

Rich in vitamin A and a good source of vitamin C, they also possess over 20 trace minerals and vitamins including zinc, iron, phosphorus, riboflavin (B2), vitamin E, and carotenoids which include beta-carotene.

Consider adding these berries to your macular degeneration diet. This is one of the best and richest sources of zeaxanthin.

1. Zeaxanthin

While lutein is concentrated mostly in the rod cells of your retina, the cone cells, which are responsible for detailed central vision, have a high concentration of zeaxanthin.

Both of these pigments are so prevalent in the macula they are called the macular pigment. The macular pigment provides protection to the retina from the damaging free radicals of sunlight.

Low levels of macular pigment are often found in eyes with age related macular degeneration (AMD) and in those with risk factors for AMD. To read more about zeaxanthin click here: Zeaxanthin

2. Lutein

1) the lens of your eyes and

2) the retina, especially the macula.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the two carotenoids found in the macular pigment - a layer of tissue that protects the macula from the harmful effects of:

√ blue light, a harmful component of sunlight

√ ultra violet light.

These two powerful antioxidants protect the retina by neutralizing free radicals thus preventing the damage that they cause.

3. Lycopene

persons who had the lowest serum levels of lycopene, the most abundant carotenoid in the serum, were twice as likely to have age related macular degeneration (AMD)when compared to those with the highest levels.

Mares-Perlman, et al. Arch Ophthalmol 1995 Dec;113(12):1518-23

4. Other Vitamins, Minerals, Carbohydrates and Fats

Here is a list of other great nutrients found in the goji berry.

Vitamin C

Cryptoxanthin - a natural carotenoid pigment

Beta Carotene

Iron

B Vitamins

Selenium

Zinc

Iron

Potassium

Calcium

Polysaccharides - complex carbohydrates

Essential fatty acids - linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid

Beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols

The content of these nutrients do depend on the maturity of the plant at harvesting, growing and soil conditions, geographic region, processing and length of storage.

Goji Fruit - A Super Food

It is no surprise that goji fruit benefits our health and our eyes in many ways with antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene.

After reading David Wolfe's book, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future,I've become more consistent in including this fruit in our diet and reaping it's many benefits.

David Wolfe lists this fruit as one of the top 10 superfoods because, "Goji berries are perhaps the most nutritionally rich berry-fruit on the planet."

We have started ordering and taking these organic goji berries and put them in our cereal, granola and fruit smoothies.

Order organic goji berries from Amazon. Our favorite source of organic products is Navitas. You will find the best prices on-line here:

Navitas Naturals Certified Organic Goji Berries, Himalayan Superfruit - 8-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 2)

As with any fruit, vegetable or food that has great health benefits, the important thing to remember is that your body needs variety. No one food can meet all the nutritional needs of our body or our eyes.

That said, when we do eat, lets eat foods that are going to bring the greatest benefit to our bodies and in this case our eyes.

It is important to note that these berries may interact with anticoagulant drugs (commonly called "blood-thinners"), such as warfarin (Coumadin®) For Related Information:

Go from Goji Berries Benefits to Organic Goji Berries

Go from Goji Berries Benefits to WebRN Macular Degeneration Home

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