Special Qualities of Goji Juice

Goji juice is made from the fruit of the goji berry. The goji berry is an antioxidant-rich berry with a long history of use dating as far back as the first century A.D. Goji berry juice was commonly used in Chinese medicine and has recently become a popular phenomenon in the United States due to publicity by celebrities and other advocates of the juice's supposed healing properties. Although the goji berry itself does appear to have positive health effects, the extent of the claims made about goji berry juice is unproven.

History

• Goji berry juice is made from extracts from the goji berry. The goji is one of a family of 40 species of plants native to TIbet and the Far East. The Lycium Eleagnus Barbarum, the variety of the goji plant that is used most commonly in goji juice, grows primarily in the Himalayan mountains, as well as Inner Mongolia and China. Goji berry extracts were used in Chinese medicine in the first century to promote longevity, good eye sight, circulation, sperm production and immune function, and to protect the liver.

Polysaccharides

• Polysaccharides are one of the main nutrients found in goji berry juice. When animals in a study were injected with the polysaccharides found in goji berries, the study showed improved antioxidant levels, a reduced blood glucose and insulin level, lower triglceride levels, and lower cholesterol levels. The extracts were also found to protect DNA, improve sexual performance, slow the growth of cancer cells, boost the immune system and help reduce fatigue. However, the doses of polysaccharides administered to the animals were in far larger amounts than found in goji juice, and the results do not necessarily translate to humans. No conclusive human testing has been done to study the effects of goji berry juice on humans.

Zeaxanthin

• Zeaxanthin is another nutrient found in goji berry juice. Zeaxanthin is a carotenoid that targets the eye. It is claimed that zeaxanthin helps to protect the retina, but this is unproven. Zeaxanthin has also been found to potentially help prevent or protect against liver damage.

Benefits

• According to the National Library for Biotechnology Information, there are confirmed health effects associated with eating the berries and/or drinking the juice derived from a certain class of berries. While goji berry juice is on this list, it is only one of many recommended berries, including cranberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.

Side Effects

• There is little data to suggest that goji berry juice has any negative side effects. However, one study at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Washington suggests that goji berry juice may react adversely with warfarin, an anticoagulant medication. In one instance, a woman who was on warfarin and was consuming between three and four glasses of goji berry juice daily suffered increased bleeding.