According to MayoClinic.org, goji berry juice is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Citing the lack of human trials and studies, doctors are quick to point out that there is no clinical data to support curative claims, especially with cancer. As current research from around the world is published, it appears that goji berries do have some positive effects, according to in vivo studies using lab mice or humans. Goji juice, which contains the same compounds, may be used instead of the entire berry in studies. Summaries of studies published at the U. S. National Library of Medicine highlight research results.
Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for 2,300 years or more. Goji is known around the world by colloquial names, such as wolfberry, desert-thorn, red diamonds or matrimony vine.
Age-Related Immune Function Improvement
Goji is used in traditional Chinese medicine to counter age-related ailments.
Damage from free radicals increases with age, and is one cause of age-related diseases and conditions. Conversely, a theory holds that potent antioxidants may be able to slow or limit aging processes. A study at the XingJiang Agriculture University, China, tested the effects of goji polysaccharide antioxidants in age-related stresses in mice. A group of aged mice were treated with goji polysaccharides. A control group of aged mice were given vitamin C as a positive control substance, since positive antioxidant results with vitamin C were known. The immune function and total antioxidant capacity of the goji mice improved as much as in the control mice. The beneficial results improved further if vitamin C and goji polysaccharides were used together.
Researchers concluded that goji is effective in improving the immune system and antioxidant activities against free radicals in aged mice.
Skin Protection from UV Rays
The University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia, conducted a study testing the antioxidant effects of ingested goji juice on sunburned skin. A species of hairless mice were tested using various dilutions of goji berry, pear and apple juices. An immune protection resulted in mice who ingested goji. Other factors such as preservatives and vitamin C content of pear and apple juices were determined to have no effect, and the properties of the goji berry juice were concluded to be the cause of protection. In addition, two skin antioxidants produced by the mice's own immune systems were found in the skin of the goji mice.
Researchers concluded that goji juice may produce a similar positive effect for sun-sensitive humans.
Increase in Antioxidants in Humans
Simple chemical tests show that goji juice contains potent antioxidant compounds. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study by FreeLife International, based in Phoenix, AZ, tested antioxidant levels in human subjects. The study used 50 healthy Chinese adults, ages 55 to 72. Serum levels of antioxidant markers were recorded before goji use. The test group drank goji for 30 days, while a control group did not. Serum levels of the antioxidant markers were checked at the end of the study. Activity increases in the antioxidant markers ranged from 8.1 to 9.9 percent in the goji group, with no change in the control group.
Researchers concluded that the goji juice provided an antioxidant boost, and according to the changes in specific serum markers, longer use of goji juice may prevent or reduce conditions caused by free radicals.
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