Goji, also known as wolfberry, scientifically known as Lycium barbarum, is considered a super-fruit because of its high nutrient content and high concentration of antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that rid the body of free radicals that cause cell damage and promote disease. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, goji has been used for centuries in ancient Chinese medicine for treatment of various medical conditions. More recent scientific evidence supports claims of the goji berry being a super-fruit and being beneficial for several medical conditions.
Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia
Scientific evidence shows that the antioxidant components of the goji berry could offer preventive effects against Alzheimer's disease. A study performed by the Department of Anatomy at The University of Hong Kong in China revealed the polysaccharides from the goji berry inhibited the toxicity of the amyloid-beta peptide in human neurons. In addition, the chemicals obtained from the goji berry offered prevention against other risk factors that could potentially lead to Alzheimer's dementia. The results of this study are promising for the neuroprotective properties of the goji berry.
Cancer Prevention
The antioxidant properties of the goji berry have been found to offer prevention against some forms of cancer. A study performed by the Strang Cancer Prevention Center in New York City revealed that the presence of goji berry effectively inhibited the growth and proliferation of human breast cancer cells. The results of this study are encouraging for the use of goji berries as a natural cancer prevention agent.
Liver
The goji berry may be an effective treatment for a variety of liver disorders. A study performed by Dingbo Lin and published in "The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology" revealed that the administration of goji berry, or wolfberry, supplements was able to offer complete prevention against the incidence of hepatic steatosis. Hepatic steatosis is the medical term for a fatty liver. A fatty liver is a benign condition and is generally not harmful, but it may be an indicator of other medical conditions. If this condition is left untreated, it can be a contributor to other illnesses. The results of this study are very encouraging for the liver benefits associated with the consumption of goji.
References
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Lycium
- PubMed: Neuroprotective Effects of Polysaccharides From Wolfberry, the Fruits of Lycium Barbarum, Against Homocysteine-Induced Toxicity in Rat Cortical Neurons
- PubMed: Lycium Barbarum Inhibits Growth of Estrogen Receptor Positive Human Breast Cancer Cells by Favorably Altering Estradiol Metabolism
- "The Journal of the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology" : Wolfberry Supplements Prevent the Development of Hepatic Steatosis
- The Free Dictionary by Farlex: Fatty Liver
- PubMed: Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Juice Improves In Vivo Antioxidant Biomarkers in Serum of Healthy Adults
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