Goji berries are tiny red fruits packed with antioxidants and powerful medicinal properties. They’re not only great for adding a pop of color to your plate but also delicious and full of flavor.
These berries are often sold powdered or dried. Plus, they’re added to many supplements and juice blends.
Goji berries have long been used in traditional medicine to ward off illness and infection and naturally enhance immunity. According to a 30-day study in 60 older adults, drinking 4 ounces (120 mL) of goji berry juice per day increased levels of immune cells and improved general feelings of well-being
Goji berries have been linked to several potential health benefits.
Highly nutritious
They’re a great source of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Just 5 tablespoons (28 grams) of dried goji berries pack (3Trusted Source):
- Calories: 98
- Protein: 4 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
- Carbs: 21.6 grams
- Fiber: 3.6 grams
- Sugar: 21.8 grams
- Iron: 11% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin A: 250% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 15% of the DV
As you can see, even a small serving of this fruit is loaded with fiber, iron, and vitamins A and C (3Trusted Source).
Iron is an essential mineral involved in oxygen transport and the production of healthy red blood cells. Meanwhile, both vitamins A and C play central roles in immune function and act as antioxidants in your body (4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals, preventing cell damage (1Trusted Source).
In fact, one test-tube study found that treating cells with goji berry extract significantly increased antioxidant levels and reduced several markers of oxidative stress (7Trusted Source).
Research suggests that upping your intake of antioxidants reduces inflammation and protects against chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes (8Trusted Source).
May support immune function
Goji berries have long been used in traditional medicine to ward off illness and infection and naturally enhance immunity.
According to a 30-day study in 60 older adults, drinking 4 ounces (120 mL) of goji berry juice per day increased levels of immune cells and improved general feelings of well-being (9Trusted Source).
In a 3-month study in 150 older adults, goji berry supplements improved immune function in response to an influenza vaccine (10Trusted Source).
Animal research supports these immune-health findings (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).
Still, additional studies are needed.
May promote eye health
Promising research suggests that goji berries may enhance eye health and protect against disorders like macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition that can lead to vision loss (13Trusted Source).
A 90-day study in 150 older adults found that supplementing with goji berries increased blood antioxidant levels, prevented hypopigmentation of the macula (the central area of the retina), and helped soften fatty protein deposits under the retina (14Trusted Source).
Similarly, a study in 114 people with early macular degeneration showed that daily goji berry supplements improved the density of macular
pigment, which may protect against the progression of macular degeneration (15Trusted Source).
Goji berries are also packed with antioxidants like zeaxanthin, which help protect your lenses and retinas against damage
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