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Goji Berries
For a few thousand years, goji berries have been an important part of Chinese medicine and that of other Asian traditions as well. Traditional Chinese cuisine feature goji, also known as wolfberries, in rice congee or with other vegetables in restorative soups and mixed with various flowers to create herbal teas. The goji berry is growing in popularity due to its health benefits. During the past few years, the it has been included in many new products throughout the world. Its most popular form of consumption now-a-days is as a dried fruit snack added to granola bars or eaten alone. Common exports of wolfberries range from dried berries and berry juice to powders made from the pulp and juice. Marketing is spreading in the west and touts the health benefits of the goji berry. Vitamins, Minerals and Phytochemical Components The goji berry contains levels of vitamin C that can only be rivaled by citrus fruits and strawberries in addition to riboflavin (vitamin B2), calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and selenium. It is full of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and dietary fiber as well as numerous phytochemicals and nutrients (5). Phytochemicals such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and polysaccharides can be found in the wolfberry (1),(2). Some of the content of the phytochemicals vary between production regions, thereby creating discrepancies in many studies of the goji plant. This points leads to the difficulty faced in measuring the health benefits of the goji plant. However, the only real dilemma that scientists are currently facing with the goji plant is whether it is healthy or extremely healthy. Medicinal Uses Based on Scientific Studies A long list of medicinal uses for the wolfberry has found its way into traditional Chinese medicine (2). Once consumed, it will enhance the immune system, protect the liver, improve eyesight and circulation, and increase sperm production just to name a few of its beneficial properties. The leaves have been used to treat inflammatory and other skin diseases, while the root bark is used to aid in the fight against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi (3),(4). The polysaccharides contained within the wolfberry act as dietary fiber and aid the maintenance of a healthy colon. Zeaxanthin, a dietary carotenoid, acts as an antioxidant in addition to providing protective light-filtering properties as it is absorbed by the retinal macula lutea (1). Essentially this factor lowers the risk of age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. References 1. Benzie, I.F., Chung, W.Y., Wang, J., Richelle. M,, Bucheli, P., (2006). Enhanced bioavailability of zeaxanthin in a milk-based formulation of Wolfberry (Gou Qi Zi; Fructus barbarum L.). Br J Nutr. 96(1):154-60 2. Gross, P.M., Zhang, X., Zhang, R. (2006). Wolfberry phytochemicals and disease research: implied health benefits, chapter 6 and Wolfberries and Traditional Chinese Medicine, chapter 7. Wolfberry: Nature’s Bounty of Nutrition and Health. Booksurge Publishing, Charleston, SC, USA. 3. Lee, D.G., Jung, H.J., Woo, E.R. (2005). Antimicrobial property of (+)-lyoniresinol-3alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside isolated from the rood bark of Lycium chinense Miller against human pathogenic microorganisms. Arch Pharm Res. 28 (9): 1031-6. 4. Lee, D.G., Park, Y., Kim, M.R., Jung, H.J., Seu, Y.B., Hahm, K.S., Woo, E.R. (2004). Anti-fungal effects of phenolic amides isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense. Int. Biotechnol Lett. 26(14): 1125-30. 5. Roy, C.C., Kien, C.L., Bouthillier, L., Levy, E. (2006). Short-chain fatty acids: ready for prime time? Nutr Clin Pract. 21 (4): 351-66.
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