Goji berry, also known as wolfberry or lycium, is listed in the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China and has been used medicinally for more than two milleniums. Traditionally, it has been employed for an eclectic mix of conditions, including male infertility, dry cough, low back pain, vision problems and dry skin. Research in animals and test tubes has revealed goji berry does contain certain components that might offer therapeutic benefit , but this type of research cannot be used to draw any definitive conclusions. No well-designed, large-scale human clinical trials have been conducted to determine actual efficacy in people. Given its long history of use as a food, consuming goji berry is likely safe for most people, and it has a rich store of vitamins and minerals. Whether consuming it will offer benefit beyond good nutrition, however, remains unclear.
Antioxidant Protection
Antioxidants help protect the cells in your body from damage that can potentially set the stage for a wide range of health problems, such as blood vessel damage that contributes to heart disease. The goji berry has been identified as possessing strong antioxidant activity. Drugs.com, a site that compiles information from various medical databases, reports that 500 mg of goji berry was found to have greater antioxidant activity than the same dosage of vitamin C. Its rich store of antioxidants might explain its history of use to treat eye problems. The berries have a rich store of zeaxanthin, an antioxidant believed to contribute to eye health. Consuming foods and supplements with high antioxidant activity could potentially benefit your overall health.
Cancer
The goji berry contains a particular polysaccharide, a form of carbohydrate, that appears to have anti-tumor properties. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center notes one in vitro study where goji berry inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells. The goji berry has been shown to induce apoptosis, a process in which cancer cells self-destruct, and increase the production of certain immune system cells that fight cancer. While this sounds promising, it is a far cry from being able to say using goji berries could treat or prevent cancer. If undergoing cancer treatment, talk to your doctor about using goji, particularly if you are undergoing chemotherapy.
Diabetes and High Cholesterol
Goji berries have a rich store of Beta-sitosterols, a component of plant foods that appears to lower cholesterol by reducing absorption in the intestinal tract. Drugs.com notes animal studies that showed consuming goji berries extracts led to better blood sugar levels and that the extract lowered cholesterol levels.
Other Potential Uses
Goji berries might help protect the liver from toxic substances and other forms of damage. Animal studies have found goji berry extract lowered the levels of certain enzymes, which when elevated, indicate the liver is stressed in some way. Drugs.com reports it might also offer benefit for neurological health since animal studies found it prevented the death of neurons, chemical messengers that carry information from the brain throughout the body. Another animal study done by scientists at the University of Connecticut in 2010 found it inhibited the growth of beta-amyloid protein, a type of plaque that forms on the brain that is thought to contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
Considerations for Use
Whether you can safely use goji berry while pregnant or breastfeeding has not been established. It might interact with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, which could increase the risk of bleeding. Always clear the use of supplements with your doctor, especially if you have any sort of condition that affects your liver or kidneys as these organs are particularly sensitive to the drugs and herbs you consume.
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