July 20, 2015 · Written by Foodtolive Team
Healthy Eating: How to Dry, Use, and Enjoy Goji Berries
Goji berries are considered a superfood for a reason. Not only are they delicious, but they are also extremely beneficial for your health. These berries became popular a few years ago as a weight loss supplement. However, assisting people in shedding a few extra pounds isn’t the only thing they can do.
These tiny red berries help your body protect itself from the harmful effects of UV radiation, enhance your eye health, and even assist in cancer prevention because they are packed with potent antioxidants. All in all, adding goji berries to your diet is a smart thing to do.
However, you can’t store fresh berries for extended periods of time. The best way to ensure that you always have this healthy treat in your pantry is to dry them.
How to Dry
There are several methods you can use to dry goji berries. Some of them require the use of specialized tools. However, regardless of which route you choose, the end result will be the same. You’ll get some delicious dried berries that you’ll be able to use all year round.
Oven Drying
- Preheat the oven to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take a flat pan and place wire racks atop of it.
- Place a layer of berries on the racks.
- Place the pan in the oven and leave the door slightly ajar.
- Leave the berries to dry, but check on them regularly. Turn them so they will dry evenly.
Solar Drying
Please note that if you live in a humid region, you should choose another option as solar drying works efficiently only in dry hot climates.
- Place some wire racks on flat baking pans.
- Place a layer of berries atop the wire racks.
- Cover the berries with cheesecloth.
- Set the pans out in the sun.
- Turn the berries once in a while for them to dry evenly.
Using a Dehydrator
If you have an electric dehydrator, drying any kind of fruit becomes easy. You will only need to prepare the berries and follow the instructions from the device’s manual.
Note that you should crack the skin of the berries if you want for them to dry faster. Do this regardless of the method you choose.
What Are the Health Benefits of Goji Berries
The high nutritional content of goji berries is the reason for all the health benefits they offer. The researchers are still working on discovering medical applications of this food. However, the general consensus among experts is that the berries generally promote wellbeing and digestion. They may also be used to facilitate weight loss
The health benefits of goji berries include but aren’t limited to:
- They have diuretic and cleansing properties.
Some of the chemicals in goji berries act as a diuretic, which means they help cleanse your kidneys from toxins and assist with combatting fluid retention. The effect is mild, so they aren’t dangerous to healthy people.
The high fiber content of the berries facilitates the removal of waste from the intestines, thus supporting your digestion overall. - They support and promote the health of the immune system.
The nutritional content of goji berries includes lots of elements that give your body a huge strengthening boost. They are rich in antioxidants that protect you from the dangers of oxidation and the environment.
Another huge advantage of this food that benefits your heath indirectly is the fact that dry goji berries are quite tasty and can help fight sugar addiction. Considering the dangeros of sugar, removing it from your diet is the sensible thing to do. Goji will help curb the cravings without endangering your health.
Goji Berries: Side Effects and Safety Tips
Despite the health benefits of goji berries, they might have some side effects when combined with specific drugs. Avoid this food if you take warfarin or any other blood thinning medication, especially before a surgery.
Sponsored by Food to live
Although the research on this is limited, it’s believed that goji berries may interact with some diabetes drugs. Therefore, you should consult your doctor if you plan to start eating them in earnest. A few berries as a snack should be safe for everyone without specific sensitivities. However, if you plan to go on a goji berry diet, you’ll need to be more careful.
Goji berries side effects are usually limited to mild indigestion and allergies. They should go away once you stop eating the food. If you notice any other problems or if the issues persist, you should contact a doctor. This is especially important for people who choose to take goji berries supplements as these products aren’t FDA-certified and might be harmful.
Goji Berry Diet for Weight Loss
Goji berries have recently garnered lots of attention due to their ability to make weight loss diets more efficient. We’ll offer some tips on how exactly you can gain most benefits this food has to offer to ensure you burn off some extra fat faster.
Here is our favorite goji berries recipy for a delicious slimming drink:
Ingredients:
- 1 spoonful dry goji berries
- Lemon verbena leaves
- Lemon zest (a little)
- 3 cloves
- Mineral water
Mix the ingredients together and leave for a few hours so that the water is infused with the elements. Drink a cup before every meal. It will not only speed up your metabolism but will also help you feel a bit satiated, which will reduce your appetite.
You also can make some tasty slimming goji berry juice. For this you’ll need:
- 1 lemon
- 1 kiwi fruit
- ½ glass mineral water
- 8 dry goji berries
Juice the lemon and mix the juice with the rest of the ingredients in a blender until you get a smooth and delicious drink.
How to Use and Enjoy Goji Berries
Dried goji berries are most popular, and there are many recipes that contain them. However, these fruits can be used in many ways:
- Brew them in tea.
- Eat them while they are raw.
- Juice them.
- Make goji smoothies.
- Add dried berries to cereal.
- Add them to the batter when making muffins.
- Add them as a spice to soups.
You can do one of the aforementioned things, or come up with some ideas of your own. Regardless of which option you pick, you will definitely enjoy these delicious berries.
