Goji berries are orange-red berries with a sweet-tangy flavour. Goji berry is also called Chinese wolfberry, possibly because the Chinese observed the wolves eating goji berries. It is known as a ‘super fruit’ because of its wide range of medicinal properties. The scientific name of the goji berry is Lycium barbarum, belonging to the family Solanaceae. Goji berries are widely grown in China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Mongolia. China is the leading producer of goji berries and is often grown in Gansu, Shaanxi, Xinjiang and Hebei regions. Traditional Chinese medicine has used goji berry for over 2000 years due to its nutritional benefits.1 Let us look at some of the benefits of eating goji berries.
Goji berries may contain several bioactive compounds like dipalmitin zeaxanthin carotenoids, betaine, polysaccharides, cryptoxanthin, neoxanthin, β-carotene, fatty acids, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and many more.1 Additionally, goji berries may contain the following nutrients:
| Nutritional Components | Value |
| Energy | 349 kcal |
| Water | 7.5 g |
| Fats | 0.39 g |
| Protein | 14.3 g |
| Fibre | 13 g |
| Carbohydrate | 77.1 g |
| Total sugars | 4.6 g |
| Iron | 6.8 mg |
| Sodium | 298 mg |
| Calcium | 190 mg |
| Vitamin A (retinol) | 26800 IU |
| Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) | 48.4 mg |
| Lycine | 0.233 g |
| Threonine | 0.358 g |
| Valine | 0.316 g |
| Cystine | 0.144 g |
Table 1: Nutritional value of goji berries2
Researchers believe that regular consumption of Goji berry juice may result in increased vitality, focus, physical performance, mental clarity, and emotions of peace and satisfaction. Goji berries are well known for their antioxidant property which is believed to reduce oxidative stress and potentially improve the state of mind.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Several studies have shown that goji berries may have the following properties:
Did you know Goji berry may act as an anti-ageing agent? Goji berries have proven anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help rejuvenate skin cells by reducing oxidative stress and free radical damage to the cells.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Some of the potential uses of goji berries are:
Hsu et al., published in 2019, that a study conducted on humans showed that goji berry might improve the immune system. The mechanism was by increasing the number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and immunoglobulin G (a type of antibody).3,4 However, large-scale studies are required to check this claim. You must keep a healthy lifestyle and take steps to boost your immune system on a daily basis. Feel free to consult a healthcare provider for tips on boosting your immunity.
A study by Wawruszak et al. in 2016 showed that goji berry extract might be beneficial for breast cancer as it can cause the death of cancer cells (apoptosis). Additionally, a bioactive compound, betaine, in goji berry may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.3,5 However, more studies are required to check the anti-cancer effect of goji berries. Cancer is a dangerous disease; therefore, you must take proper treatment instead of self-medicating. Please do not rely on goji berries alone for managing your condition.
A study by Silva et al. in 2017 showed that goji berry might lower blood glucose levels; therefore, it may be beneficial for diabetes mellitus. In addition, bioactive polysaccharide-protein complex in goji berries may improve insulin resistance due to a bioactive polysaccharide-protein complex. Insulin is a hormone that may control the amount of sugar in the blood. With insulin resistance, the glucose might not enter the body cells and is built up in the blood. This may lead to high blood glucose levels.3,6 However, these studies were conducted on animals, and further studies on humans are yet to be done. Therefore, you must check your sugar levels regularly and consult your doctor if you have abnormal sugar levels.
A study by Pint et al. In 2010 showed that polysaccharides in goji berries might protect the heart. Goji berries may regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol levels, thereby protecting the heart.3,7 However, more studies are yet to be done to check if goji berries may be beneficial to protect the heart. Therefore, you must consult your doctor if you have any symptoms of heart disease.
A study by Azami et al. in 2019 showed that goji berries might contain a bioactive compound, zeaxanthin dipalmitate, which may protect the liver. Goji berries may inhibit scarring and thickening of liver tissue and reduce collagen (a protein that provides structure to the tissues) levels, which may harm the liver when in excess. Additionally, zeaxanthin dipalmitate in goji berry may lower the levels of liver enzymes like ALT (alanine transaminase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase). High levels of these liver enzymes may indicate some liver disease.3,8 However, more studies on humans are yet to be done to check if goji berries may be beneficial for liver diseases. Therefore, you must consult your doctor if you experience any symptoms of liver disease.
Goji berries may contain carotenoids, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are also present in the retina of human eyes. These bioactive compounds may protect the retina from harmful free radicals, blue light damage and dry-eye disease (condition where tears are insufficient in lubrication of the eye). Zeaxanthin in goji berries may be beneficial for eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa (a genetic disorder that may cause loss of vision). Goji berries may inhibit macular degeneration (part of the retina at the back of the eye).3 However, more studies are required to check if goji berries may be beneficial for eye diseases. However, you must consult your doctor if you feel any discomfort in your eyes.
In a study by Reeve et al. in 2009, vitamin C, lycopene, lutein, nicotinic acid and polyphenol compounds in goji berry may protect the skin from harmful UV rays. These compounds may also reduce inflammation caused by sunburns and reduce the risk of skin cancer.9 However, more studies are yet to be done to check whether goji berries may benefit the skin. Therefore, you must consult your doctor if you see any abnormality on your skin.
A study by Liao et al. in 2017 suggested that adding goji berries to yoghurt or Sichuan pickle may maintain the viability of lactic acid bacteria (gut bacteria).3 More studies are yet to be done to check the effect of goji berry as a prebiotic. Therefore, consult a doctor to know more about taking care of your gut health and avoid self-medicating.
Though studies show the benefits of goji berry in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of goji berry on human health.
Also Read: What is a Huckleberry: A Detailed Look at This Unique Fruit
Goji berries can be consumed in the following way:
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking goji berries in large quantities or any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Side effects of goji berry may be seen if you eat it in excess or are allergic to it. One article suggests that goji berries may cause the following side effects:1
You must consult your doctor if you have any side effects after consuming goji berries.
The following precautions must be taken before consuming goji berries:
It is advised to consult your doctor before consuming goji berries if you have any pre-existing diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure and you are taking medicines for the same.
Goji berries may interact with the following drugs:
You must consult a doctor before consuming goji berries if you are undergoing any medical treatment.
There are several goji benefits. Goji berries may be beneficial for diseases like cancer and diabetes. It may boost the immune system and protect the heart and the liver. It may also be used as a prebiotic. Additionally, it may be beneficial for the skin and eyes.3-9 However, you must consult your doctor instead of self-medicating if you have symptoms of any diseases.
According to the findings of one article, goji berry may cause urticaria (rashes and swelling on the skin) on the hand, palms and lips, oedema (swelling caused by trapped fluid), rhinitis (runny nose), dyspnea (shortness of breath), pruritis (itching on the skin) and dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing).1 Side effects of goji berry may be seen if you eat it in excess or are allergic to it. You must consult your doctor if you have any side effects after consuming goji berries.
Goji berries may protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Goji berries may also reduce inflammation caused by sunburns and reduce the risk of skin cancer.9 You must consult your doctor if you see any abnormality on your skin.
Goji berries may contain several bioactive compounds like dipalmitin zeaxanthin carotenoids, betaine, polysaccharides, cryptoxanthin, neoxanthin, β-carotene, fatty acids, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and many more.1 Goji berry may contain fats, proteins, fibres, carbohydrates and sugars. It may contain minerals like iron, sodium and calcium. Goji berry vitamins include vitamins A and C. Additionally, it may contain amino acids like lycine, threonine, valine, cysteine and many more.2
Goji berry may interact with warfarin (a drug used to slow blood clots), Flecainide (a drug used to maintain a heartbeat). Goji berries may also interact with hypertensives (medications used for high blood pressure) and medicines used for diabetes.10 You must consult your doctor before consuming goji berry if you are undergoing any medical treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
