My friends were over to play cards this weekend and I got a lot of comments about the bag of dried goji berries (or wolfberries) that I had sitting out. For starters none of them have heard of Goji berries but they have become a staple in my morning breakfast and they have a variety of beneficial health effects.

From wikipedia

Wolfberries have long played important roles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where they are believed to enhance immune system function, improve eyesight, protect the liver, boost sperm production and improve circulation, among other effects.

A few of the guys tried them, but because they were not breaded, deep friend and in a yellow box, they were immediately labeled as disgusting, when they are actually pretty good. These raisin-size fruits are chewy and taste like a cross between a cranberry and a cherry. More important, these potent berries have been used as a medicinal food in Tibet (and Mongolia) for over 1,700 years.

According to MensHealth, Goji berries are one of the 10 best foods you aren’t eating.

Why they’re healthy: Goji berries have one of the highest ORAC ratings — a method of gauging antioxidant power — of any fruit, according to Tufts University researchers. And although modern scientists began to study this ancient berry only recently, they’ve found that the sugars that make goji berries sweet reduce insulin resistance — a risk factor of diabetes — in rats.

How to eat them: Mix dried or fresh goji berries with a cup of plain yogurt, sprinkle them on your oatmeal or cold cereal, or enjoy a handful by themselves. You can find them at specialty supermarkets such as Earth Fare and Whole Foods in the Raleigh area, usually where you find the nuts.