The goji berry is a small, red fruit that is native to China and Tibet, but it grows throughout several regions of Asia. The general claim of goji berry enthusiasts is that it improves your health by encouraging weight loss, regulating blood sugar and reducing blood pressure, among a myriad of other conditions. Although goji berry does exhibit some clinical evidence of improving your health, substantial research is still necessary. If you're interested in taking goji berry supplements, you need to know how to search for the most viable one. Due to the nature of this fruit, you should always consult your physician prior to use.
Step 1
Familiarize yourself with the different names of goji berries, which vary around the world. Common names include Lycium barbarum, wolfberry, Barbary wolfberry and Wolfberry fruit P.E.
Step 2
Read the labels of all supplements claiming to contain goji berries. The ingredients list should contain goji berries or an associated name. For example, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides are particularly ideal as they exhibit antioxidative properties associated with treating atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension, according to a January 2010 study published in "Planta Medica." It is not unusual for goji berry extract to include a variety of other herbs.
Step 3
Visit reputable health stores only. Dietary supplements are not required to gain approval by the FDA before marketing. It is up to individual vendors to discern effective and useful supplements.
Step 4
Research all supplements from a reputable online sources, such as a government or educational website, or published, respected medical or scientific journals. If you can't find the supplement, research individual ingredients to get a comprehensive view of the product.
References
- Food Standards Agency: Responses on Goji Berries Reviewed
- "Planta Medica"; Goji (Lycium barbarum ad L. chinense): Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Safety in the Perspective of Traditional Uses and Recent Popularity; O. Potterat; January 2010
- U.S Food and Drug Administration: Overview of Dietary Supplements; Oct. 14, 2009
- "Nutrition Research"; Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Juice Improves in Vivo Antioxidant Biomarkers in Serum of Healthy Adults; H. Amagase, et al.; January 2009
- "Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences"; Mice Drinking Goji Berry Juice (Lycium Barbarum) are Protected from UV Radiation-Induced Skin Damage via Antioxidant Pathways; V.E Reeve, et al.; April 2010
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