Our country is the first consumer in Europe of Goji berries. The data from the Nielsen Health / Wellness Global Survey say so: food as medicine. Seven out of 10 villagers appreciate these fruits for theirs wholesome virtues.
So much so that, in recent times, they are no longer alone dried or dehydrated in sachets and fresh in trays, but they are also used as ingredients in different food products: chocolate, sauces, yogurt, biscuits, ice cream, jams, juices, sweets ...
There are also those who use the puree of this fruit to prepare the organic pasta, such as the Antica Madia (anticamadia) pasta factory in Diano d'Alba (Cuneo) or organic sausages such as the Mainelli cured meat factory in Oleggio (Novara). And who uses the fresh berries to produce beer with goji like the Pejo craft breweries in Cogolo (Trento)
and Mustacanus to Rome.
You can also find them made in the country
“Goji berries are gods real natural supplements, which stimulate the immune system, fight free radicals and help the body slow down cellular aging.
Furthermore, these fruits are a mine of minerals precious for the body, in particular calcium, iron, potassium and selenium », explains Dr. Michela Carola Speciani, doctor of the Sma Center in Milan and expert in applied nutrition.
Originally from Asia, in particular of China, Mongolia and Tibet, are now also cultivated by us. The brand "goji of the country"(goji of the country) which brings together some farmers who grow organic berries of the Lycium barbarum type in Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia, Lazio and in other Southern Regions.
«It is a more valuable variety than the Lycium chinense, which is mostly imported in the form of dried berries and which is very often rich in preservatives like sulphites », explains Rosario Previtera, agronomist and president of the“ Lykion ”business network for the country's Goji. Furthermore, local berries have a higher concentration of antioxidants.
Researchers from the University of Perugia found that they have a higher and qualitatively better content of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene compared to those imported from Asian countries.
Research conducted by the Department of Biomolecular Sciences of the University of Urbino and the Pharmacy Department of the University of Naples have also identified beneficial substances not only in the berry, but also in the leaves, in the petiole and in the branches.
They can cause allergies
Goji berries can trigger even severe reactions. The alarm was recently raised by French allergists. Berries contain allergens called LTPs. Cross-reactions have been described with olive pollen and mugwort, with foods such as walnuts, peaches, tomato and with tobacco.
Attention then to the possible interaction with some drugs, especially with anticoagulants. If you are in therapy, it is important to ask your own advice medical health insurance before including significant quantities of this fruit in the diet », concludes the expert.
