Weight Loss with the Goji Berry

In the hectic modern lifestyle it can be difficult to devote time and focus to loosing weight. Two big problems are easy access to cheap and delicious high calorie fast foods, and no real requirement to take exercise.

High-calorie foods tend to have limited nutritional value. They can trigger a hormonal reaction that leads to heightened hunger pangs. The process works like this:

1. High calorie sugary, starchy food is converted by the body into blood sugar (glucose).
2. In response to heightened levels of blood sugar, the pancreas produces increased amounts of insulin.
3. Blood sugar levels drop sharply due to the action of the insulin.
4. The sudden decrease in blood sugar causes hunger pangs for more fattening foods.
5. The cycle repeats itself for as long excessive high calorie food consumption continues.

The glycemic index of Goji Berries

The glycemic index (GI) is a numerical scale used as a measure of the rate at which food is converted by the body into glucose. The lower the GI of a food, the more slowly it is processed into blood sugar and the less likely it is to over stimulate the appetite.

On the GI scale, pure glucose has a value of 100. Foods rated at 70 or higher are considered to have a high GI value, while foods rated below 55 are considered to have a low GI value. Goji berries have a low GI compared to most other fruits:

• Banana – 25
• Goji berry – 29
• Apple – 38
• Orange – 42
• Raisins – 64
• Cantaloupe – 65
• Watermelon – 72

Goji berries and appetite control

Goji berries have additional characteristics that can help promote weight loss. By weight they contain 21% fiber. High fiber foods are filling and can reduce blood sugar levels. Goji berries also contain chromium, a mineral beneficial to blood sugar control.

Lean muscle promotion with Goji berries

Chromium may also help to preserve lean muscle mass during weight loss. Muscle burns more calories than fat making it easier to prevent weight gain. A lean body burns food rather than storing it as fat. As the body ages declining growth hormone secretion leads to reduced muscle mass and greater fat storage. Two amino acids, L-arginine and L-glutamine, and potassium in Goji berries are believed to promote the production of growth hormone.

Goji berries and thermogenesis

Goji berries are rich in nutrients that can convert food into energy rather than fat:

• The vitamin B1 (thiamin) promotes healthy thyroid function. The thyroid gland secretes a hormone called thyroxin which stimulates the body to burn fat (thermogenesis).

• Essential minerals are necessary for efficient protein metabolism. In addition to calcium and chromium, Goji berries contain copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc.

Improved physical performance with the Goji berry

Permanent weight loss is greatly facilitated by regular physical exercise. Goji berries can enhance the ability to exercise in several ways:

• Delaying the onset of fatigue during exercise

• Increasing endurance

• Increasing stamina

• Improving circulation

Nutrients in Goji berries are believed to be beneficial to the glands that are responsible for generating energy, muscle growth and repair – the adrenals, thymus, thyroid and pituitary. Polysaccharides in the Gogi berry can help to reduce muscle soreness. They can aid in the removal of lactic acid that accumulates in muscles during exertion.

See also: The Incredible Goji Berry