Acai Vs. Goji Juice

Acai from South America and goji from China are two types of berries popular in juices. Both berries have benefits, side effects and sometimes overinflated claims.

Benefits

• The goji berry, a powerful antioxidant, comes from China.

  Both acai and goji juices are touted as having powerful free-radical destroying antioxidants, which fight cancers, heart disease, diabetes and aging.

Expert Insight

• Doctors praise acai and goji juices for their anti-aging properties.

  Dr. Nicholas Perricone promotes acai for anti-aging benefits and helping insulin transmitters to function. Dr. Lindsey Duncan lauds goji for anti-aging and balancing blood sugar. Physicians at WebMD praise both berries for fighting cancer and heart disease.

Misrepresentations

• Neither acai nor goji juices are proven to help people lose weight.

  Experts at WebMD indicate acai is not a proven source for weight loss, despite claims, and neither is goji juice.

Skepticism

• According to authorities in the medical community, acai is not superior to other berries.

  WebMD doctors are skeptical about acai’s superiority over other berries, such as blueberries and cranberries. Dr. Lindsey Duncan cautions buyers to not be fooled by the cure-all claims unscrupulous marketers have made about goji juice.

Scams

• Oprah Winfrey's show filed suit against acai berry companies for wrongly stating her show endorses their products.

  CNN reports innocent consumers are scammed by companies that state CNN and some celebrities endorse acai and goji. The Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz shows filed trademark infringement complaints against 40 companies misusing their names.

Side Effects

• Acai and goji juices are not recommended for those with allergies or sensitivity to pollen. Goji should not be taken with blood-thinning, diabetes or blood pressure medications.