Goji berries: Health benefits and side effects

Goji berries: Health benefits and side effects

Many health claims have been made for goji berries, including maintaining a healthy heart and circulation, boosting the immune system, protecting against cancer and increasing longevity, yet the medical evidence to back up these claims is weak, according to theBritish Dietetic Association.

What is the goji berry?

The goji berry, also known as the wolfberry, is a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family of plants. It’s a bright orange-red berry commonly grown in the north-central and western areas of China. The ripe berry is easily damaged during picking, so it’s common for them to be carefully dried to preserve them before export. In the UK they are commonly eaten as the dried fruit or as a componant of fruit juice.

Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to manage diabetes,high blood pressure, fever, age-related eye problems and fatigue associated with living at high altitudes. Goji berries are eaten raw, cooked, or dried (like raisins) and are used in herbal teas, juices, wines and medicines. The benefits of goji berries on human health are limited at the moment, although purified extracts from these berries seem to show some health benefits in animal research and a limited number of human studies.

What are the benefits of goji berries?

The blue-red colours found in goji berries, blueberries, acai berries, cranberries, strawberries, and cherries are natural anti-oxidants which may help protect the body against oxidative damage. In addition Goji berries contain complex starches called Lycium barbarum polysaccharides which may benefit the immune function, and may reduce fatigue associated with living at high altitude.

Antioxidants temper the destructive power of free radicals, substances occuring naturally in our body but if produced in excess accelerate cell damage and destruction. Chinese research has shown a standardised dose of goji berry extract given over a month-long trial helped boost levels of protective anti-oxidant liverenzymes, and reduced by-products of oxidative damage in the blood by almost 10%. It’s worth noting that although this research is promising, the test samples of goji berries were highly purified to contain a standard amount of the active ingredient, ‘Lycium barbarum polysaccharides’, which may not reflect the same content of goji berries bought at the healthfood shop or supermarket.

Goji berries also have compounds rich in vitamin A that may also confer health benefits. Vitamin A and its derivatives may protect against skin damage, help maintain night- vision, and benefit the immune system.

Some researchers suggest that goji berry extracts may improve mood, and protect against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, but there is no robust medical evidence to support these claims.

In summary, goji berries are a rich source of antioxidants with preliminary research showing some potential health benefits when taken in a standardised form - but there’s not enough sound evidence to recommend them solely for their health benefits.

Do goji berries have any dangerous side effects?

There are herb-drug interactions with goji berries. If you take warfarin (a blood thinner) you should avoid goji berries. Goji berries may also interact withdiabetes and blood pressure medicines, so check with your pharmacist about possible interactions.

If you have pollen allergies you may want to stay away from this fruit. Case reports have linked goji berries consumption with skin photosensitivity, causing a skin rash on exposure to sunlight. They are also naturally rich in oxalate which may be a health issue in kidney problems.

Dear Sir/Mom
We, TOPS MINERAL, as seller, hereby state and represent that it is our intention to sell.

No	Name of Product	Specifications	Price(Php)/kg	Price(US$)/kg
1	Graviola (Guyabano, Soursop)	20:1 extract, 50% Flavones, Acetogenin 2.0~2.4%	P 6,000	$135
2	Papain	100% Papain Powder	P 6,000	$135
3	Tribulus Terrestris	20%  Saponins	P 3,000	$70
4	Gojiberry	50% Polysaccharides	P 3,000	$70
5	Milktistle	80% Silymarin	P 6,000	$135
6	Boswellia	65% Bosawllic acid	P 3,000	$70
7	Pomegranate	40% Ellagic Acid	P 3,000	$70
8	Grape Seed	95% Proanthocyanidin  (water-solubility)	P 3,000	$70
9	Curcumin	95% Curcumin	P 12,000	$270
10	Mangosteen	20% α mangostin	P 6,000	$135
11	Bitter Melon	10% Charantin	P 6,000	$135
12	Garcinia Cambogia	50% HCA	P 3,000	$70
13	Epimedium	10% Icariin	P 6,000	$135
14	Yohimbe	8% Yohimbe	P 6,000	$135

Location	Arayat Pampanga
Delivery	LBC, 2GO, Pick Up, Meet Up upon payment
Payment	Cash or T/T(BDO, AUB), M-huillier, Sebuana-huillier, Western Union
Packing	1kg Foil pack
Supply Qty per momth	20tons per month
Minimum Order	1kg
Contact	Smart : 0998 570 9974, Globe : 0915 692 6900, Skype/KakaoTalk : topsmineral

Graviola(Sour sop) Benefit and Side effect.

Graviola(Sour sop) Benefit and Side effect.



What is Graviola Tree?

Graviola (Annona muricata) is a rainforest tree, classified under the pineapple family Annonaceae. Also known as soursop or raintree or Brazilian paw paw, it is found in the belt extending from Central America to South America, including parts of Brazil. 

This small evergreen tree with large glossy dark green leaves grows to a height of 5 to 6 meters. The edible fruit is heart-shaped, yellow green in color and white inside. 

Graviola has gained much importance because of acetogenins, a group of potential anti-cancer agents, found in this plant. 

Graviola Uses

Graviola has been purported to have a number of uses, especially therapeutic. Leaves, seeds, bark, fruits and roots are the traditionally used parts of this tree. Listed are some of the traditional and herbal uses of this tree.

1. Leaves are used for headaches and insomnia. The leaves also contain antioxidants known to fight inflammation.


2. Cooked leaves, applied topically, fight rheumatism and abscesses. In certain regions of Brazil, the oil of the leaves and unripe fruit is mixed with olive oil and used externally for neuralgia, rheumatism, and arthritis pain.

3. The fruit and fruit juice are used-

• as deworming and antiparasitic agents 

• as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery 

• to cool fevers, and 

• to increase mother's milk after childbirth 


1. The seeds are crushed and used against internal and external parasites, head lice, and worms. However, it is important to note research has shown that seeds and roots contain certain toxins that could cause atypical Parkinson’s disease, so this herbal remedy is best avoided.

2. Tea made from Graviola leaves has long been used in the Amazon region to treat liver and stomach disorders.


3. A tea made from the bark, leaves, and roots are used-

• as a sedative, antispasmodic 

• to calm the nerves, 

• to reduce high blood pressure

Health Benefits of Graviola

Most studies regarding health benefits of Graviola have been conducted on laboratory animals and have not been confirmed in humans. Graviola is best known for its anti-cancer properties. Researchers are very enthusiastic about Graviola being an alternative medicine to be used as supportive therapy for cancers, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lymphoma. It is one of the most studied properties of the tree and so far it has shown positive results. However, always consult your doctor before using Graviola for any therapy. 

Pancreatic cancer: An increased metabolic activity and glucose concentration in the tumor cell has been linked to aggressive pancreatic cancer. One study published in the journal Cancer Letters showed that Graviola extract containing acetogenins acted in a way to decrease ATP production thus leading to death of cancer cells. Incidentally, the researchers found that it does not affect the healthy cells. 


Lung cancer- Adriamycin is sometimes used as the chemotherapy drugs for cancers including lung cancer and blood cancers. A Japanese study done on lab animals found that annonacin (acetogenin) could inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the lungs as much as Adriamycin, if not better. However, R. Webster Kehr, at Independent Cancer Research Foundation, warns that Graviola can be especially dangerous for lung cancer patients and brain cancer patients where a clustered amount of cancer dead cells (lysing) can be very dangerous.


Breast cancer- Researchers found that fruit extract of Graviola could successfully inhibit the growth of a gene that directly expresses cell growth (oncogene EGFR) which frequently over-expresses in breast cancer. 


Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties- A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences on experimental animals supported these traditional uses for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting a potential for therapeutic purposes. However, the researchers suggested further studies to be conducted to ensure its safe usage.

Diabetes- Graviola has been found to be beneficial in cases of diabetes. A Nigerian study revealed that leaf extract of Graviola significantly reduced blood glucose concentration in experimental animals, possibly by enhancing the effects of insulin and adrenalin. No human trials have yet been done, therefore its use for this purpose cannot be recommended. 


High blood pressure- Studies have shown Graviola to be a hypotensive (reduces blood pressure), vasodilator (widens the blood vessels) and cardiodepressant (decreases heart rate and contractility). If you are using drugs for your high blood pressure, check with your doctor before taking Graviola as your medication may need adjusting. 


Side Effects of Graviola

Although seeds and roots of graviola too contain acetogenins that help in cancer therapy, they are best avoided because other chemicals present in these parts have shown neurotoxic effects similar to atypical Parkinson’s disease.

There is no evidence that taking Graviola in pregnancy and lactation is safe. Consult your doctor regarding the use of this alternative medicine.

• Sale : Graviola 20:1 Extract
• 
• Dear Sir/Mom
  We, TOPS MINERAL, as seller, hereby state and represent that it is our intention to sell.

  No	Name of Product	Specifications	Price(Php)/kg	Price(US$)/kg
  1	Graviola (Guyabano, Soursop)	20:1 extract, 50% Flavones, Acetogenin 2.0~2.4%	P 6,000	$135
  2	Papain	100% Papain Powder	P 6,000	$135
  3	Tribulus Terrestris	20%  Saponins	P 3,000	$70
  4	Gojiberry	50% Polysaccharides	P 3,000	$70
  5	Milktistle	80% Silymarin	P 6,000	$135
  6	Boswellia	65% Bosawllic acid	P 3,000	$70
  7	Pomegranate	40% Ellagic Acid	P 3,000	$70
  8	Grape Seed	95% Proanthocyanidin  (water-solubility)	P 3,000	$70
  9	Curcumin	95% Curcumin	P 12,000	$270
  10	Mangosteen	20% α mangostin	P 6,000	$135
  11	Bitter Melon	10% Charantin	P 6,000	$135
  12	Garcinia Cambogia	50% HCA	P 3,000	$70
  13	Epimedium	10% Icariin	P 6,000	$135
  14	Yohimbe	8% Yohimbe	P 6,000	$135

  
  

  Location	Arayat Pampanga
  Delivery	LBC, 2GO, Pick Up, Meet Up upon payment
  Payment	Cash or T/T(BDO, AUB), M-huillier, Sebuana-huillier, Western Union
  Packing	1kg Foil pack
  Supply Qty per momth	20tons per month
  Minimum Order	1kg
  Contact	Smart : 0998 570 9974, Globe : 0915 692 6900, Skype/KakaoTalk : topsmineral

  
  

  
  

  
  
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