The Science Behind Goji Berries
Goji berries and the heart
A Taiwanese study of the antioxidant properties of the Goji berry and two other Chinese herbs found it inhibits lipid peroxidation, a major factor in cardiovascular disease1.
Goji berries and diabetes
In a Chinese study using animals with non-insulin dependent diabetes II, they found that the test subjects lost weight and lowered their cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels after 3 weeks of eating a diet that included Goji berries. Researchers concluded they could help to improve insulin resistance2.
Another study showed that the potent antioxidants in the berries reduced blood glucose levels and cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in rabbits and increased the levels of ‘good cholesterol’ (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) after 10 days of treatment3.
Goji berries and immunity
The State Scientific and Technological Commission of China published a 1988 report on a study where human participants were given 50 grams of goji berries. Their white blood cell count and antibody immunoglobulin A (lgA) increased (by 75%).
An animal study showed the polysaccharides in the berries stimulated the production of interleukin-2 which encourages the growth of those blood cells important to the immune system4.
Goji berries and the brain
The University of Hong Kong completed an animal study which showed that Goji berry extract protected brain neurons from the toxic effects of the beta amyloid protein. This protein is though to be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease5.
Goji berries and cancer
A clinical trial done in 1994 treated 79 advanced cancer patients with LAK/IL-2 (a cancer drug) combined with goji berry. The response rate of those patients treated with LAK/IL-2 plus goji berry was 40.9%. Those patients treated with just LAK/IL-2 was 16.1%. The Goji berry patients also had much longer remission periods. This suggests that goji berries could enhance cancer treatments6.
Goji berries and the liver
Goji berries are a potent liver protector. One study indicated that they counteract carbon tetrachloride toxicity in the liver7. A compound in the berries called cerebrosides appeared to protect the liver cells from a toxic dry-cleaning chemical8.
Sources
1Young, G, Lawrence, R., Schreuder, M. Discovery of the Ultimate Superfood. July 2005.
2Wu SJ, Ng LT, Lin CC. Antioxidant activities of some common ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, Angelica sinensis, Lycium barbarum and Poria cocos. December 2004.
3Zhao R, Li Q, Xiao B. Effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on the improvement of insulin resistance in NIDDM rats. Yakugaku Zasshi. December 2005.
4Deng HB, et al. Inhibiting affects of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on nonenzyme glycation in D-galatose induced mouse aging model. September 2003.
5Yu MS, Leung SK, Lai SW, Che CM, Zee SY, So KF, Yuen WH, Chang RC. Neuroprotective effects of anti-aging oriental medicine Lycium barbarum against beta-amyloid peptide neurotoxicity. August-September 2005.
6Cao GW, Yang WG, Du P. Observation of the effects of LAK/IL-2 therapy combining with Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in the treatment of 75 cancer patients. November 1995.
7Ha KT, Yoon SJ, Choi DY, Kim DW, Kim JK, Kim CH. Protective effect of Lycium chinense fruit on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. December 2005.
8Kim SY, et al. New antihepatotoxic cerebroside from Lycium chinense fruits. March 1997.
About the Author
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