We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Goji berries are small red fruits that contain healthy antioxidants. Purported health benefits of goji berries range from anti-aging effects to glucose regulation and immune function support.
Goji berries are also known as Lycium barbarum. The goji berry is native to Asia, and people in Asia have been using this brightly colored fruit for more than 2,000 years as a medicinal herb and food supplement. Goji berries are widely available for purchase in health food stores and online.
More recently, supporters have introduced goji berries to the rest of the world with claims of many potential health benefits. Modern science is investigating these claims, and researchers have backed many of them.
Here are seven possible benefits of the goji berry with the scientific evidence supporting them:
1. Protects the eyes
Goji berries are believed to protect against age-related eye diseases.
Goji berries can help vision because they contain high levels of healthy antioxidants, especially zeaxanthin.
The same antioxidants can also stop damage from:
- UV light
- free radicals
- oxidative stress.
One study reported in the American Academy of Optometry’s journal Optometry and Vision Science found that seniors who drank goji berry juice for 90 days increased zeaxanthin and other antioxidant levels significantly.
A second study reported in the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy shows goji berries protect the retina from the
2. Provides immune system support
Goji berries contain healthy antioxidants. Antioxidants are known for their immune-boosting qualities and their ability to fight harmful free radicals and inflammation.
Goji berries contain large amounts of vitamins A and C, similarly to other berries, including blueberries and raspberries. Vitamins A and C are vital for building immunity and preventing illnesses, ranging from the common cold to cancer.
3. Protects against cancer
High levels of antioxidants, including vitamin C, zeaxanthin, and carotenoids, are responsible for fighting cancer cells. Antioxidants slow tumor growth, reduce inflammation, and help to remove harmful substances from the body.
4. Promotes healthy skin
Goji berries contain beta-carotene, which is an essential plant phytochemical. Beta-carotene is known for its ability to promote healthy skin.
Beta-carotene is an ingredient used in skin creams to:
- improve skin health
- reduce skin irritation
- manage the effects of the sun
- manage the impact of aging
One
5. Stabilizes blood sugar
Goji berries may be helpful in controlling the release of sugar into the blood.
The same study linked goji berries to
6. Improves depression, anxiety, and sleep
Research from 2016 that was done using rats shows goji berries can improve depression and anxiety-like behaviors.
In this study, healthy adult participants consumed 120 milliliters of goji berry juice daily or a placebo drink for 14 days.
They completed questionnaires to record their feelings of wellbeing, neurological and psychological health, musculoskeletal symptoms, and digestive and cardiovascular complaints, as well as any adverse effects of the juice each day.
The researchers took measurements to record each participant’s blood pressure, body mass, weight, pulse, and vision before and after the 14 days of study.
The group given the goji berry juice reported improved energy, ability to focus, enhanced athletic performance, mental acuity, and feelings of calmness and contentment by day 15.
The study also showed improved quality of sleep in those who consumed the goji berry juice, and none experienced negative effects related to drinking the juice.
7. Prevents liver damage
Goji berries have been used to treat liver disease in traditional Chinese medicine.
Goji berries are often called a superfood because they contain chemical compounds called phytochemicals that are produced by plants. Phytochemicals in goji berries include polysaccharides, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin.
Polysaccharides are a primary characteristic of the goji berry. These are an essential source of dietary fiber. A study using aging mice found that polysaccharides in goji berries helped with improving immune function and increasing total antioxidant activity in the body.
Beta-carotene is responsible for the orange-red color pigment in goji berries. Beta-carotene is vital for eye health, bone health, skin health, and cell development. The amount of beta-carotene in goji berries is among the highest of all edible plants.
Zeaxanthin plays a crucial role in supporting the immune system. Many researchers believe that zeaxanthin can prevent macular degeneration, a progressive vision impairment that occurs when the central part of the retina, or macula, deteriorates.
People can buy goji berries in most health food stores and Asian or European markets. They can easily add fresh and dry goji berries to:
- smoothies
- trail mixes
- oatmeal
- yogurt
- salads
- baked goods
- desserts
- sweet sauces
It is also easy for people to carry some with them when they go out and eat them by the handful as a snack.
Goji berries are available fresh or dried and in trail mixes, superfood mixes, or as a juice. Goji berries are available in supplement form in health food stores and online.
Goji berries are often expensive. However, the health benefits may be worth the cost. Prices will also depend on whether the product is organic, natural, or processed.
Goji berries may interact with some medications, including:
- blood thinners
- blood pressure medications
- diabetes drugs
People taking these medications should talk to their doctor before adding goji berries to their diet.
Anyone with an allergy to other berries should discuss this with a doctor before consuming fresh or dry goji berries or taking any supplement containing goji berry extracts.
The following are commonly asked questions about goji berries.
How many goji berries should I eat a day?
A person can eat goji berries as a part of a balanced diet. There is no set portion size for goji berries. However, a 2019 article states that
Is it safe to eat goji berries every day?
Eating goji berries daily is likely safe, and they do not usually cause side effects. However, goji berries may interact with some medications, such as blood thinners, blood pressure medications, and diabetes drugs.
What are the benefits of goji berries?
Goji berries contain chemical compounds called phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, beta-carotene, and zeaxanthin.
These antioxidants may benefit a person’s eye health, skin health, immune system, and cell development.
What is the disadvantage of goji berry?
Some people may be allergic to goji berries. Goji berries can also interact with certain medications.
Fresh and dry goji berries do not usually cause any side effects or adverse reactions in healthy people.
Goji berry supplements have been shown to be safe for most people when consumed for up to 3 months, with only rare side effects, such as allergic reactions and sensitivity to sunlight.
It is safe for most people to eat goji berries in moderation. People considering using goji berry supplements should check with their doctor first.