Why Goji?

Goji berries are one of the hot new “superfruits” being praised for their nutrient-rich properties. Exotic fruits like Goji, Acai, Noni and Mangosteen have all become increasing popular with American consumers searching for natural healthy foods.

OK, but what are Goji berries and do they really live up to all the hype?

Goji Berry or Wolfberry?
Wolfberry is the traditional English name for this small red berry, but “Goji” has become the more commonly used name over the last few years. It seems that Goji is the English version of the Mandarin name for wolfberry (gouzi). Some web sites claim that Goji berries and wolfberries are really two different berries. But the most reliable sources disagree. Goji is just a popular name for wolfberry, although there are two different but closely-related species commonly referred to as wolfberry. The first is Lycium barbarum L. which is grown in the north central regions of China, primarily in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. This is where about 90% of the available wolfberry comes from. The second is Lycium chinense, which is grown in the south of China. Wolfberry has also been called western snowberry, matrimony vine, and the Duke of Argyll’s Tea Tree.

The name “Goji” is never used by scientific researchers. However, since Goji seems to be the most popular name, we’ve decided to use that term for the purposes of this website.

What is Goji?
The small bright orange-red ellipsoid Goji berries grow on woody vines all over the world, but most come from China. About the size of large grapes when ripe, the berries are usually dried and resemble dried cranberries. Goji berries have a high juice and sugar content, and are usually described as slightly sweet and sour. We think the taste is similar to dried cranberries, but not nearly as sweet. It’s not what we would call delicious, but it is certainly edible and would make a great addition to a trail mix. Some add the dried berries to yogurt or cereal.

What’s in Goji?
Praised as one of the world’s most nutrient rich plant foods, Goji berries contain 22 trace minerals and 11 essential minerals, at least six vitamins, 18 amino acids, five unsaturated fats, and at least one phytosterol, five carotenoids (including lycopene – rare among berries) six mono- and eight polysaccharides, and numerous additional phytochemicals. The levels of zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, riboflavin (vitamin b2), selenium and iron found in the berries are among the richest concentration per gram in the plant kingdom.

Why Goji?
Although the small red Goji berries are fairly new to the Western world, they have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years.

Most of the potential health benefits of Goji can be traced to its rich antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances in plants that protect the body from free radicals that interfere with normal cellular functions. Free radicals abound in our modern world in the form of pollutants, food additives, pesticides, cigarette smoke, viruses, and bacteria. Damage by unchecked free-radical compounds can manifest as serious illnesses. For example, cancer is now known to be associated with free-radical damage to healthy cellular DNA. Because antioxidants protect the body from these free radicals, they can help combat heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. The powerful antioxidants in Goji berries may also have the potential to help slow the aging process.

One of the assays considered to be a standard measure of antioxidant capacity is known as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity). This test measures how much a particular food can inhibit free radical activity. Numerous foods have been tested for ORAC value, but Goji berries have demonstrated some of the highest ORAC activity of any fruit or vegetable.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute or advice from your physician or health care provider. You should not use information from this web site for the treatment of any health problem. As with any herbal or dietary supplement, talk to a heath care professional but making Goji a part of your regular diet.