How Goji Berries Protect Our Immune System

Goji berries has been known as a staple remedy for more than 2,000 years used by traditional Chinese people as a medicine. It’s even tagged as the “longevity fruit”, as these red berries have immune-enhancing properties.

Our body’s immune system is our defense against foreign invaders like bacteria, virus, carcinogens that cause cell, tissue, or organ damage. It can also malfunction in two ways—either not responding to pathogens that attack our body or assume that some part of our body is an invader, attack it, and cause a disease auto-immune disorders. These disorders can vary and manifest as allergies, cancers, rashes, joint pain, lupus, thyroid malfunctions, and many others.

The berries actually have a unique component called Lycium barbarum polysaccharides. This substance actually has a similar structure  to substances found in Echinacea and maitake mushroom, both are known herbs for their immune system  boosting ability. According to research, the compounds found in Goji berries enhance our body’s ability to resist a disease.

Moreover, each berry is a rich source of vitamin C and zinc, both are powerful protection from diseases and assist our body for recovery. A previous study from Case Western Reserve University has results that show the ability of zinc to shorten the length and severity of cold. Also, medical evidences proved that zinc deficiencies become lesser as we age and produce less stomach acid. So, intake of zinc-rich foods and supplements is necessary as we live.

On the other hand, Vitamin C is important to all animals especially humans, because it’s vital to the production of collagen, growth and repair of human tissues, wound healing, and for healthy cartilage, bones, and teeth. It also helps the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation. It also works a reducing agent that’s similar to the properties of antioxidant by donating or receiving extra oxygen to stabilize another molecule like iron or glutathione, which is a true antioxidant of human body.

There are still many reasons why Vitamin C and zinc are very important nutrients to our body and we can get substantial amount of these substances from the Goji Berries we take.