Goji juice is a fruit juice made from the berries of the goji, or wolfberry, plants Lycium chinense or Lycium barbarum. The small red fruits are related to tomatoes and peppers. Goji juice is rich in vitamin C and antioxidant pigment molecules called carotenoids. Most goji juice is found as part of a juice blend, often with pear, apple, grape or cherry juice.
Health Benefits
According to Dr. Subhuti Dharmananda of the Institute for Traditional Medicine in Portland, Oregon, the goji fruit has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since the latter part of the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368--1644. Goji berries and their juice contain compounds that are believed to help protect the eye from macular degeneration, lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation and boost immune function. It is worth noting that essential fatty acids, a healthful component of goji berries, are not found in goji berry juice because these compounds are in the seeds of the fruit, which is not used in the juice.
Serving Information
The nutritional information for goji juice depends on the specific product. When buying goji juice, check the product label to make certain goji berry juice is one of the first ingredients listed. It is not unusual for products called goji juice to contain several other juices and ingredients. Other juices are added to reduce the cost and improve the flavor of goji juice. A typical serving size for goji juice is 1 oz. or 30 ml of juice. You can expect a 1 oz. serving to contain 19 or 20 calories. Goji berry juice is a fat-free food, so no calories are contributed by fat.
Carbohydrates and Protein
Fruit juices are sweet because they contain a significant amount of carbohydrates in the form of sugars. A 1 oz. serving of goji berry juice has 5 g of carbohydrates, with 4 g of simple sugars. Goji juice is not a significant source of dietary fiber or protein.
Vitamins and Minerals
Goji juice is an excellent source of vitamin C. A typical 1 oz. serving of goji juice contains 15 mg of vitamin C, which is 25 percent of the daily allowance for this vitamin. Goji juice is a sodium-free food. A 1 oz. serving contains 35 mg of potassium or 1 percent of the daily allowance. Goji berries contain trace minerals, including selenium and germanium. Goji juice is rich in antioxidants, including carotene.
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