Go Go Goji berry!
The goji berry, lycium barbarum, is a superfruit native to the southeastern parts of Europe and Asia. Other common names are “the Duke of Argyll’s Tea Tree”, because The Duke of Argyll introduced the plant into the United Kingdom in the 1730s, and “matrimony vine.” Goji berries are also commonly referred to as wolfberries, although the origin of the name wolfberry is unknown. However, a popular theory is that the name resulted from confusion over the genus name, which resembles “lycos”, the Greek word for wolf.
Wolfberries contain many nutrients and phytochemicals including:
- 11 essential and 22 trace dietary minerals
- 18 amino acids
- 6 vitamins
- 8 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharides
- 5 unsaturated fatty acids, including the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid
- beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols
- 5 carotenoids, including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene and cryptoxanthin, a xanthophyll
- numerous phenolic pigments associated with antioxidant properties
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine completed a randomized, placebo-controlled study, double-blind clinical trial that found consuming goji berry juice for two weeks increased feelings of general well-being and improved gastrointestinal functions. According to the study, the people who consumed the juice for two weeks reported an increase in feelings of energy levels, quality of sleep, mental acuity, calmness, and feelings of content.
A recent study at the Fudan University in Shanghai, China, found that when goji berry polysaccharides were given to laboratory animals with DNA damage and non-insulin dependent diabetes, the animals showed a decrease in blood glucose levels and an increase in serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD)—an important antioxidant. Additionally, goji berry possibly decreased DNA damage by decreasing oxidative stress levels; leading the researchers to theorize that goji berry extract supplementation may prevent the development of complications or even the tendency for diabetic animals to develop other health problems.
In another recent study at the University of Hong Kong, researchers theorized that since goji berry extract has anti-aging effects, it probably also has neuroprotective effects against toxins in neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer’s disease. They were right. Goji berry extract protected the brain neurons of laboratory animals from the toxic effects of beta amyloid protein—a culprit in Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers concluded that studies on anti-aging herbal medicine like goji berry might open up a new therapeutic window for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Department of Hygiene at Hubei Medical University completed a study that used a purified component of lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP-X), which was isolated from lycium barbarum. Different doses of the component were tested on mice. The results showed that "LBP-X induced a remarkable adaptability to exercise load, enhanced resistance and accelerated elimination of fatigue." It was found that the polysaccharide significantly enhanced muscle performance, enabling muscles to recover more quickly after strenuous activity and perform better all around.
The goji berry has shown that a tiny fruit can pack a wide arsenal of nutritious weapons. It just so happens to be one of the Phyto 8 that is packed into a serving of BAZI.
Go goji for your health.