Smoothie Recipe - Rediscovering the Health Benefits of Goji Berries!

One of the first food trends I remember in terms of so-called superfoods sort of re-discovered (Maca, Matcha, Acai) from other countries and cultures, were Goji berries. These dried red berries that came with an antioxidant punch. Recently I found some dried black goji berries that the store claimed to be particularly rich in phytochemicals, non-caloric plant compounds that are generally good for health and come from eating a diet rich in diverse fruits and vegetables.

So how healthy are Goji berries? Should you be including them in your diet?

Black goji in particular is interesting, because when you soak them you unleash a dark rich purple, inky colour, usually a good sign the berry is rich in healthy components like antioxidants.

And sure enough, they are. They have a high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) which means they are high in antioxidant potential. They also contain beta-sitosterol and kukoamine in their roots, and are two phytochemicals with cholesterol lowering properties. They are low in calories but high in protein, fibre, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Enjoy Goji berries as part of a healthy diet! I recommend the black ones, which you can find at an Asian grocery such as TnT, but the red ones are nice too!

Black goji smoothie

“An antioxidant powerhouse that will boost your morning with it’s brilliant blue colour, and sweet yet earthy fruit flavours”

Serves 2

Ingredients

½ cup dried black goji berries, soaked in a ½ cup water.

½ cup Greek yogurt

½ cup orange juice

½ cup soy milk

1tbsp Maca powder

1Tbsp hemp hearts

1 Tbsp chia seeds

1 Tbsp Flax

Directions

Blend all ingredients together. One tip is to do two rounds of blending. The first to break up the chia seeds, then wait five minutes for the chia to absorb water, then a second blend. This will ensure a nice consistency.

Thanks for reading!