What are the benefits of Goji,
and what do the researchers say?
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine have long believed that these small red berries enhance immune system function, improve eyesight, protect the liver, boost sperm production, and improve circulation. Today people all over the world are insisting that Goji does all of this and more. Unfortunately, few of these amazing claims have been proven scientifically. Manufacturers and multi-level marketing distributors would have you believe that Goji berries can cure almost any disease or medical condition known to man. Many proponents claim that Goji fights cancer, aging, fatigue, arthritis, and even AIDS, despite the skepticism of many healthcare professionals.
Although Goji berries have a been an important part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, they are fairly new to the western world, and research is only in the very early stages. It does appear that Goji may have some important health benefits and future research will prove which of the marketing claims are accurate and which are not.
Several published studies, mostly from China, have reported promising results, primarily due to Gogi’s powerful antioxidant properties. Chinese researchers believe that Goji may prove helpful in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, vision-related diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer and immune system disorders. However, very little of this research has been confirmed by western science.
Goji contains many important compounds which may prove beneficial including calcium, potassium, amino acids and essential fatty acids, iron, zinc, selenium, riboflavin, vitamin C, and numerous phytochemcials including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and polysaccharides (natural complex carbohydrates).
Although there have been few clinical trials, there have been some important studies. We've included information on some of the more recent ones suggesting some potential benefits of Goji. We've also provided links to abstracts of the published articles.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Anti-Aging
In one Chinese study, researchers acknowledged Goji berries had long been used in oriental medicine as an anti-aging agent. They found that Goji exhibited neuroprotective effects against toxins in age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease.
Neuroprotective effects of anti-aging oriental medicine Lycium barbarum against beta-amyloid peptide neurotoxicity.
Exp Gerontol. 2005 Aug-Sep.
Characterization of the effects of anti-aging medicine Fructus lycii on beta-amyloid peptide neurotoxicity.
Int J Mol Med. 2007 Aug.
Cancer Research
Goji berries contain unique polysaccharides that have demonstrated powerful anti-cancer properties. However, these studies have been conducted in labs or on mice. We cannot draw any conclusions without long-term clinical trials on humans.
Immunomodulation and antitumor activity by a polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum.
Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Apr;
Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on tumor microenvironment T-lymphocyte subsets and dendritic cells in H22-bearing mice.
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2005 Sep.
Hot water-extracted Lycium barbarum and Rehmannia glutinosa inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul.
Cardiovascular Diseases
As a powerful antioxidant, it has been suggested that Goji may be helpful in the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, there has been very little research in this area.
Protective effect of Lycium barbarum on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Phytother Res. 2007 Jul.
Cholesterol
A 2004 study suggests that Goji fruit extracts may significantly reduce “bad: cholesterol and increase “good” cholesterol.
Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects and antioxidant activity of fruit extracts from Lycium barbarum.
Life Sci. Nov. 2004
Hypertension
Many web sites praise Goji for the treatment of hypertension. There appears to very little scientific research in this area, but one early study showed some promise.
The effect of lycium barbarum polysaccharide on vascular tension in two-kidney, one clip model of hypertension
Sheng Li Xue Bao. 1998 Jun.
Immune system
As one of the most nutrient dense foods known to man, the vitamins, minerals and polysaccharides in Goji provide fuel for the immune system to function efficiently. Numerous studies suggest that Goji berries actually boost the immune system.
Effects of pure and crude Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on immunopharmacology
Zhong Yao Cai. 1999
Effect of the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on age-related oxidative stress in aged mice.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May
Infertility and Libido
Goji has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a food for sexual potency. In one study, Chinese researchers said their findings supported the folk reputation of Goji as an “aphrodisiac and fertility-facilitating agent.” In another Chinese study, researchers found that the results of their lab tests provided a scientific basis for Goji as a traditional remedy for male infertility. Of course preliminary studies using only rats or test tubes are hardly conclusive, but it will be interesting to see if future research supports these findings.
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides: Protective effects against heat-induced damage of rat testes and H2O2-induced DNA damage in mouse testicular cells and beneficial effect on sexual behavior and reproductive function of hemicastrated rats.
Life Sci. 2006 Jul 10.
Protective effect of Fructus Lycii polysaccharides against time and hyperthermia-induced damage in cultured seminiferous epithelium.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Oct.
Leukemia
One study in 2001 showed that Goji’s polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates) inhibited the growth of human leukemia cells.
Inhibition the growth of human leukemia cells by Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2001 Nov.
Vision-related Diseases
Many medical professionals seem to agree that Goji’s greatest potential may be in the realm of vision health, particularly in age-related diseases such as mascular degeneration and glaucoma. Goji contains all of the main nutrients that support optimal eye health including antioxidant vitamins A, C and E combined with high doses of zinc and carotenoids (lutein, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin), along with other essential nutrients and antioxidant chemicals. Goji is one of the nature’s richest sources of zeaxanthin which has which has powerful antioxidant and blue light-absorbing properties. One 2005 study which focused on the zeaxanthin found in Goji concluded that the berries may be helpful in preventing age-related vision disorders.
Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response to Fructus barbarum L. (wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation trial.
Br J Nutr. 2005 Jan.
Weight Loss
There are hundreds of web sites that insist that drinking Goji juice, eating Goji berries, or taking Goji supplements may aid in weight loss. One Chinese study suggests there may be something to all the hype. Researchers found that the monosacchrides in the berries enhanced food conversion and reduced body weight in rats. Now if it can only do that in humans!
Study on the composition of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and its effects on the growth of weanling mice.
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2002 Apr.
It will take years for modern science to unravel the mysteries of Goji berries and discover the full benefits of this amazing fruit. Fortunately, researchers are finally taking a serious look at these small red berries, and they will no doubt be the subject of much more research in the years to come.
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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.
Copyright 2007 - Goji-Benefit.com
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