Goji Berry Research

A goji berry, also called a wolfberry, is an unusual berry like fruit of the nightshade family, and native to Asia.  It has been eaten to improve health by the Chinese for over 2,000 years.

Latin Names: Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinese

Family: Solanaceae

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• Therapeutic activities of the polysaccharides found in goji, jujube, plantago, and mulberry are reviewed.  Actions include:  immunomodulation, antioxidant, antitumor, and hypoglycemic potential.  From:  Xie, J. H., Tang, W., Jin, M. L., Li, J. E., & Xie, M. Y. (2016). Recent advances in bioactive polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum L., Zizyphus jujuba Mill, Plantago spp., and Morus spp.: Structures and functionalities. Food Hydrocolloids, 60, 148-160.
• In an extensive review of research on goji berries, Cheng et al (2015) identifies significant studies in the following areas:  antiaging, antioxidant, anticancer, improved energy, anti-viral, cardioprotective, inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, immunity, neuroprotective, reproductive system, From:  Cheng, J., Zhou, Z. W., Sheng, H. P., He, L. J., Fan, X. W., He, Z. X., … & Cao, C. (2015). An evidence-based update on the pharmacological activities and possible molecular targets of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides. Drug design, development and therapy, 9, 33.

HYPOGLYCEMIC

• In a review of research, with seven RCTs and 546 subjects, eating goji berries reduced blood sugar levels.  From:  Guo, X. F., Li, Z. H., Cai, H., & Li, D. (2017). The effects of Lycium barbarum L.(L. barbarum) on cardiometabolic risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food & function, 8(5), 1741-1748.
• In a double blind study of 67 patients with type two diabetes, eating goji berries had a hypoglycemic effect.  From:  Cai, H., Liu, F., Zuo, P., Huang, G., Song, Z., Wang, T., … & Sun, G. (2015). Practical application of antidiabetic efficacy of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide in patients with type 2 diabetes. Medicinal Chemistry, 11(4), 383-390.
• Goji berry and yellow dock supplements given to diabetic rats reduced blood sugar levels.  From:  Muselin, F., Brezovan, D., Savici, J., Cristina, R. T., Dumitrescu, E., Doma, A. O., … & Trif, A. (2015). The Use of Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) and Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) in Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats. Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 48(1), 373-376.
• 42 healthy males who took a goji berry polysaccharide supplement for 4 weeks showed reduced blood sugar and cholesterol levels.  From:  Xia, H., Tang, H., Wang, F., Yang, X., Wang, Z., Liu, H., … & Sun, G. (2018). Metabolic effects of dietary supplementation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on serum and urine metabolomics in a young healthy male population. Journal of Functional Foods, 46, 440-448.

CHOLESTEROL

• 42 healthy males who took a goji berry polysaccharide supplement for 4 weeks showed reduced blood sugar and cholesterol levels.  From:  Xia, H., Tang, H., Wang, F., Yang, X., Wang, Z., Liu, H., … & Sun, G. (2018). Metabolic effects of dietary supplementation of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on serum and urine metabolomics in a young healthy male population. Journal of Functional Foods, 46, 440-448.
• In a study of 158 pregnant women with gestational diabetes, intake of goji berries improved cholesterol levels.  From:  Yang, S., Si, L., Fan, L., Jian, W., Pei, H., & Lin, R. (2018). Polysaccharide IV from Lycium barbarum L. Improves Lipid Profiles of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus of Pregnancy by Upregulating ABCA1 and Downregulating Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Transcription 1 via miR-33. Frontiers in endocrinology, 9, 49.

IMPROVED ENERGY

• In a small double blind study, drinking goji berry juice for two weeks increased cognitive performance, overall energy, and digestive function, and reduced perceived stress.  From:  Amagase, H., & Nance, D. M. (2008). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) juice, GoChi™. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(4), 403-412.

ANTIOXIDANT

• In a double blind study of 50 healthy older Chinese adults, goji berries juice taken for 30 days showed increased antioxidants levels in the body.  From:  Amagase, H., Sun, B., & Borek, C. (2009). Lycium barbarum (goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant biomarkers in serum of healthy adults. Nutrition Research, 29(1), 19-25.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 11/9/18