All About Goji Berries

© Gary Scott; www.sxc.hu

The goji berry, also know as the wolfberry, is a bright orange-red berry that comes from a shrub native to China. Goji berries have been eaten for many centuries in Asia. Over time, people have used goji berries to treat many common health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, fever, and age-related eye problems. Goji berries are eaten raw, cooked, or dried (like raisins) and are used in herbal teas, juices, wines, and medicines.

Benefits of Goji Berries

Goji berries are filled with powerful antioxidants and other compounds that may help prevent cancer and other illnesses, including heart disease. Antioxidants may also boost the immune system and lower cholesterol.

Eating foods high in antioxidants may slow the aging process as well. It does this by minimizing damage from free radicals that injure cells and damage DNA. When a cell’s DNA changes, the cell grows abnormally. Antioxidants can take away the destructive power of free radicals. By doing so, antioxidants help reduce the risk of some serious diseases.

Goji berries also have compounds rich in vitamin A that may have anti-aging benefits. These special compounds help boost immune function, protect vision, and may help prevent heart disease.

Some research suggests that goji berry extracts may boost brain health and may protect against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Other preliminary studies using goji berry juice founds benefits in mental well-being, and calmness, athletic performance, happiness, quality of sleep, and feelings of good health. Further studies are needed before a definite conclusion can be drawn.

Goji berries are a rich source of antioxidants and early research shows a potentially powerful health benefit. However, it is still unclear how they stack up against other berries. Researchers also are not clear on whether the goji berry supplements have the same health benefits as the actual berries.

Possible side effects of goji berry

There may be some possible herb-drug interactions with goji berries. If you take warfarin or other blood thinners, you may want to avoid goji berries. Goji berries may also interact with diabetes and blood pressure drugs.

You should avoid goji berries if you have pollen allergies. Consult your doctor before consuming this berry, if you are on any medications.