What should not be consumed with Lycium barbarum (goji berries)?
I'm now paying great attention to health preservation, fearing that I might get sick or have other health issues. Recently, I bought a lot of wolfberries (goji berries) to help with health maintenance. So, what foods should not be consumed together with wolfberries?
Doctor's answer (1)
Goji berries are generally not recommended to be consumed with the following foods:
1. Heat-inducing foods: Such as chili peppers, ginger, garlic, etc. Goji berries are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, known for their function of nourishing yin and benefiting the kidneys, while heat-inducing foods tend to cause excessive internal heat. Consuming them together may intensify internal heat, which is unfavorable for individuals with a naturally hot constitution.
2. Foods containing tannic acid: Such as tea and persimmons. Tannic acid can combine with proteins in goji berries to form precipitates that are difficult to digest, affecting nutrient absorption and potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort.
3. Seafood: Consuming goji berries together with seafood may lead to physical discomfort, especially for individuals with weak spleen and stomach functions or those who have allergic constitutions, so caution is advised.
4. Milk and other high-protein foods: Goji berries contain a certain amount of pectin and cellulose, which when consumed with high-protein foods may interfere with protein digestion and absorption, possibly causing symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea.
Although goji berries offer many benefits, they should still be consumed in moderation. Excessive consumption may lead to physical discomfort. Additionally, specific groups, such as individuals with hypertension, those with irritable temperaments, people with spleen deficiency, and those prone to allergies, are advised to consume goji berries under the guidance of a physician.
