Goji Asia's berried treasure: (pronounced go-gee) lack in size, they more than make up for in healtwhat goji berries h benefits--from younger-looking skin to optimal sexual function.(FRESH PICKED: FOOD)

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall build--oh wait, that's Superman! But if you believe the growing chatter surrounding goji berries, they are the botanical equivalent of a classic superhero. This small, nutritious fruit has been a mainstay of long-lived villagers in China and Mongolia for centuries, and while it might not seem to qualify for fresh-picked status at first glance (unless you happen to be vacationing in the region), its blockbuster nutritional profile makes it a must-have for the modern health-conscious foodie.

Researching the Berry

Colloquially known as the "happy berry," goji is a small, red berry about the size of a grape that is found in the mountain valleys of China and Mongolia: Revered for millennia for its wide-ranging health benefits, goji is celebrated in a two-week festival in Ningxia, China. The harvesting process is unique--the fruits cannot be picked, or they become discolored and useless. Instead, they are gently shaken onto mats, then rinsed and sorted, and either Used immediately or dried for later use (and export).

One must conclude that these sweetart berries have a prominent beneficial effect, even before examining the scientific evidence--denizens of the regions where goji grow are remarkably free from all sorts of diseases and maladies, and often live to be 100 years of age more. Studies are beginning to show that the inclusion of goji in their diet may play a significant role.

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In Chinese medicine, goji berries are employed to treat deficiencies of chi (vital energy or life force). Traditionally, this modest fruit is used strengthen the immune system, promote heart health, enhance mental acuity, support liver function, increase energy levels, and improve sexual function.

And there's more--research suggests that unique polysaccharides isolated from the berries may hold promising cancer-preventive properties, as well as anti-inflammatory and antiaging components. All this and more in one tiny little berry. Noted dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, MD, author of 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity and other books, recommends goji for its ability to stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone (which is thought to inhibit the classic aging, such as wrinkles).