Goji berries have been heavily promoted recently in many health magazines. They are seen as a new super food. They may be new to western customers, but have been used for centuries in Chinese herbal medicine.
Goji berries are harvested from a small evergreen shrub that is found in the Himalayan regions of China, Tibet and Mongolia. Commercial production of Goji berries is largely confined to China, claims that berries are Tibetan or Himalayan are usually false.
Goji berries are a member of the nightshade family, and are also known by the scientific name Lycium Barbarum, or as wolfberry. The name goji berry is probably a corruption of the Chinese name gouqizi.
The berries look like small red raisins, and have a tangy and slightly sweet taste. They have a similar texture to raisins when you eat them. Commercially, they are available as the dried fruit, and also covered in chocolate or yogurt and as a goji berry juice.
Trials on the benefits of Goji berries use the dried berries, and for the best health benefits it is advisable to eat these. The processing required to produce the juice or the covered berries may reduce their activity. In addition the processed foods are far more expensive than the dried berries.
It is possible to buy goji berries in most health food stores, some pharmacies and in Chinese herbal shops. The food and drug administration has detected high levels of pesticides and fungicides in many imported sources, so pressure is now on Chinese growers to provide organic goji berries.
They are seen as a super food because they are a rich source of many of the phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals that are known to be beneficial to our health. They are a rich source of antioxidants, particularly beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, which mop up free radicals from the body. Zeaxanthin has been shown to have a particular protective effect on the eye, reducing age related macular degeneration.
In addition to carotenoids Goji berries contain Vitamin C in higher concentrations than oranges, Vitamins A and E and Vitamins B1, B2 and B6. They also contain the trace minerals Selenium and Zinc and some Calcium, and contain eighteen amino acids and essential fatty acids.
Selenium is important in preventing colon cancer, and zinc is essential for many bodily functions, including a healthy immune system. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants and the B vitamins play an important part in general health. Essential fatty acids play a part in reducing cholesterol.
In Chinese medicine as well as being used to preserve eyesight Goji berries are also used to improve longevity, protect the liver and improve circulation, and as booster to cancer treatments. Most of the evidence used to support the claims for Goji berries is based on analysis of their constituents, and not on trials. For this reason the claimed benefits are not proven, but their long use in traditional Chinese medicine is evidence enough of their benefits for many people.
People taking blood thinners should be cautious drinking goji berry juice or eating the berries, as there have been a few reported cases of increased blood thinning in these patients.
Goji berries are a healthy alternative snack food. While many of the claims made for them have little supporting evidence they are certainly rich in essential vitamins and minerals, and are far healthier to eat than many commercial snack foods.
http://altmedicine.about.com/o d/completeazindex/a/goji.htm
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March 30, 2011 
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