The Goji berry, also labelled as Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum), is a bright orange-red colour berry with a sweet and sour flavour. These berries belong to the shrub family that’s native to China. However, it also has Asian traits and can easily be sighted in Asia. In traditional medicine, these berries are old players since they have been brought into use for decades now. People rely on the Goji berry to get a long life span. Health experts claim the berries slow the signs of ageing, promote hair growth, improve digestion, kidney function, and many more to count on. They are available in pulp, juice, and powdered form in the stores. Later in this article, you will learn about its potential health benefits, nutritional facts, and side effects for better understanding.
Goji Berry Benefits
Goji berries have a long list of benefits associated with a potentially healthy body. To get the proper understanding, we have listed some of its benefits which may help in enhancing your overall health.
1. Regulates Blood pressure
Goji berries carry a high content of polyphenols. Which helps in the elimination of free radicals from the body. The berries are highly favourable for people having high blood pressure. The nutrients present in the berries help the artery wall to get enlarged, which aid to smooth blood flow. Hence results in lowering blood pressure.
2. Protects Eye Health
Goji berries are packed with the goodness of vitamins and minerals that benefit age-related eye issues. The berries improve vision because of their high content of antioxidants, zeaxanthin (responsible for giving Goji berries its bright colour) in particular. These antioxidants provide protection against free radicals, UV rays, and oxidative stress. A recent study reports that the Goji berry safeguards the retina from ganglion cells, liable for glaucoma (a condition which leads to loss of vision).
Also Read : Types of Berries
3. Increases Testosterone
Goji berries have a long record inked to sexual health. One study performed on rats results that Goji berry remarkably increased sperm count, boost sexual ability, and promote the recovery of testosterone levels.
4. Upgrades the skin health
The antioxidants present in Goji berries are the chief promoter of youthful and glowing skin. They help the skin retain moisture and effectively reproduce the cells responsible for a soft and youthful glow. The beneficial nutrients present in Goji berry benefit the skin because it promotes the production of collagen that lightens the skin tone and reduces acne.
5. May aid in weight loss
The rich fibre content of Goji berries may help in keeping a check on the extra calories consumed. The unique composition of vitamins and minerals in Goji berry promotes fat reduction and the production of lean muscles. In a study, Goji berries are witnessed to increase the metabolism rate and reduce waist size within days by drinking Goji berry juice.
6. Provides protection against cancer
Goji berries have a high quotient of antioxidants like Vitamin C, zeaxanthin and carotenoids so because of them Goji berries can fight cancerous cells. These antioxidants slow tumor growth, reduce inflammation and help in the removal of toxic elements from the body. The berries are helpful in treating several types of cancer like lung, breast, esophageal, and stomach cancer.
7. Might support immune function
Goji berries are brought to use in traditional medicines to say goodbye to illness and infection. It naturally enhances the immune system because of its nutritional value. As per the study conducted on 60 plus adults, drinking Goji berry juice daily, resulted in increases in immune cells and improved general wellbeing. However, additional proof and studies are still in the process.
8.Improves kidney functioning
The presence of antioxidants in the Goji berry helps in the removal of toxins from the body and improves kidney functioning. When the kidney undergoes any disruption, it certainly leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body. The berries ease the load on the kidney by eliminating free radicals and toxic waste from the body.
Goji Berry Nutritional facts
The power-packed Goji berries have various vitamins and minerals, which play a vital role in boosting your physical health. Mentioned below is a rough estimate of Goji berries’ nutritional quotient, which may vary as per brand, texture and quantity.
| Nutrition Fact | Nutrition Value |
| Calories | 349 Kcal |
| Protein | 14.3 g |
| Fat | 0.39 g |
| Carbs | 77.1 g |
| Fiber | 13 g |
| Sugar | 21.8 g |
| Iron | 6.8 mg |
| Vitamin A | 180 % of Daily Value |
| Vitamin C | 48.4 mg |
(The nutritional value is based on 100 grams of dried Goji berry pack)
Goji Berry Side Effects
Anything in excess may cause harmful effects rather than benefits. It’s for your best to have proper research on everything you consume. We have pointed out some of the major side effects that Goji berries can cause.
1. May lead to drug interactions
Goji berries can mix up with a few drugs, including warfarin. In a study, a woman aged 70 plus took Goji berry juice regularly while she was on warfarin medication. The women discovered various abnormal symptoms, like bruising, rectal bleeding, and nose bleeding. However, she was relieved once she stopped consuming the juice.
2. May reduce the blood sugar level
Goji berries may reduce blood sugar levels to an alarming extent. experts have identified them as viable treatment options for regulating diabetes. Still, if you are already being treated for diabetes, it can make your blood sugar level fall to an unexpected level. It’s better to consult a doctor before trying Goji berries if you have diabetes.
Also Read : Berries Benefits
3. May result in allergies
Goji berries can lead to anaphylaxis, a condition in which the body becomes super sensitive, and faces gastrointestinal problems. Several complex compounds in the berries are responsible for the reaction.
4. May cause hypotension
Studies claim Goji berries reduce blood pressure levels. This may be a ray of light for people with low blood pressure, but it can be threatening for people with high blood pressure. Goji berries may add to the action of medications, which lowers the blood pressure level. However, there is no reliable proof to establish the point. It’s just an assumption.
5. Can give way to diarrhoea
In a recent case study, a person who feeds on Goji berries regularly experiences non-bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The berries may regulate a certain body’s functioning. Contamination can be another probable reason for it.
6. May aid in Miscarriage
Goji berries have betaine, which is an organic nitrogenous substance. It is used to encourage menstruation and abortion as it encourages uterine contraction. Eating Goji berry in an excessive amount may cause birth defects in the fetus but reducing the intake might prevent the issue.
Conclusion
Goji berries are bright red-coloured small fruits that originated in China and later expanded to Asia. One can use them to enhance the food’s flavour and as a traditional medicine side by side. These berries are full of nutrients that improve your physical health. It comes with an abundance of benefits to take advantage of, such as it fights cancer, helps with kidney health, betters the immune function, improves skin quality, etc. but it also has certain drawbacks which may come across your way, if you consume Goji berry in an inappropriate quantity. It is advisable to get in contact with an expert before incorporating it into your daily diet to achieve the maximum result.
