We wear sunglasses to protect our eyes, and sunscreens to protect our skin from the summer sun, but we can also help protect them from the inside out! Goji berries (aka wolfberries) are one superfood that can come to the rescue!

Cultivated originally in the Ningxia province in China, Lycium barbarum wolfberry has been consumed for hundreds of years. Interestingly, it is said the number of natives from that region who live past 100 years old is much higher than the national average. In 1988, the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute conducted detailed chemical analyses and nutritional composition studies of the dried goji berry fruit. The Ningxa (sounds like NIN-ja) wolfberry contained over 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, more iron than spinach, more vitamin C than oranges, and an incredibly rich source of beta carotene. At 16% protein by volume, the wolfberry definitely lives up to it’s super status.

Here are goji berry nutrition facts for 28 grams of dried goji berries (5 tablespoons), according to the USDA:

About 100 calories
0 grams fat
3 grams fiber
13 grams sugar
4 grams protein
7510 IU vitamin A (about 134 percent DV)
14 milligrams of vitamin C (about 25 percent DV)
12 milligrams iron (about 10 percent DV)
18 amino acids (11 of which are essential)
5 sources of healthy, unsaturated fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid
Phytochemicals, including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, lutein and polysaccharides

Goji berries promote healthy vision, heart health and longevity because it contains a variety of carotenoids, antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein. Goji berries are the richest known natural source of zeaxanthin, a compound found in human retinas associated with lower incidence of cataracts and greater visual acuity. A combination of lutein and zeaxanthin are excellent for skin as well. They are especially important in the summer to protect against oxidative damage from the sun and increase moisture in the skin. One study where participants took these supplements showed lighter and improved skin tone.

It also contains significant amounts of superoxide dismutase (SOD). As we grow older, the levels of lipid peroxide in our blood increase, while levels of health-protecting antioxidants like SOD decrease. In a clinical study of people who consumed doses of goji berry, SOD in the blood increased by a remarkable 48 percent while hemoglobin increased by 12 percent. Even better, lipid peroxide levels dropped by an astonishing 65 percent.

There are even more potential benefits indicated from animal and human studies including: lowering triglycerides, lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, reducing blood glucose, and neuroprotective effects, and anti-cancer/tumor effects.

There are a few ways to go for Goji. Dried berries can be added to cereal, trail mix, or baked goods. The freeze dried powder is highly bioavailable, and is perfect for a smoothie. NingXia Red is a tasty, antioxidant-rich drink that combines fruit juice and essential oils with a particularly potent type of Goji berry. This juice is combined with fresh, organic fruit juices like pomegranate, cherry, plum, and blueberry to support joint, brain, and immune function. Plus, Young Living orange, yuzu, lemon, and tangerine essential oils are added for flavor and their d-limonene, a compound shown to have anti-cancer benefits.