Hundreds of multi-level marketing web sites praising their own brand of Goji juice would have you believe that Gogi berries are the proverbial fountain of youth.  Although it is true that Goji berries have been used as anti-aging agents in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, most of the miraculous claims we find on these sites today are not backed by reliable scientific research.  However, that being said, some of the preliminary studies are promising.

Most anti-aging claims are linked to Goji’s potent antioxidant properties.  Studies at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston suggest that consuming fruits and vegetables with a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value may help slow the aging process in both body and brain. For more on these studies, click here.  Interestingly, Goji berries have been shown to have some of the highest ORAC activity of any fruit or vegetable.

Scientists agree that damage by oxygen free radicals is behind many of the medical conditions that come with aging, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.  We’ve all been told that a high intake of fruits and vegetables reduces risk of cancer, while a low intake raises risk.  Some recent studies suggests that diminished brain function associated with aging and disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases may be due to increased vulnerability to free radicals.

Does the fact that Goji has powerful antioxidant properties automatically mean that it is effective in fighting the aging process?  Unfortunately, no. It will take much more research before we know for sure, but some doctors are already convinced. Dr. Earl Mindell, bestselling-author, pharmacist and nutritionist started a multi-level marketing company that sells a popular brand of Goji berry juice.  According to Dr. Mindell, “I believe Himalayan Goji Juice has more powerful benefits on health, well-being, and anti-aging than any other product I have seen in the last 40 years.”

Chinese studies on Goji and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's are showing promising results.  And Goji berries are showing real potential in the prevention and treatment of age-related vision problems, since Goji has a high level of zeaxanthin which is necessary for optimal eyesight.  It will be exciting to see what researchers learn about this amazing berry from future research studies.

Surprisingly, we’ve seen few beauty products on the market that feature Goji, but that will probably change in the very near future.  In the meantime, the quality Murad skin care line features a couple of items with Gogi Berry extract and Amazon.com carries an Acai & Goji Facial Mask . As with so many of these new and exotic superfruits, the emphasis is on better health and beauty from the inside out.

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