Best Goji Berry Reviews & Benefits
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Goji berry plant has been regarded as one of the “miracle fruits” of nature since it’s strikingly packed with a number of healthy nutrients. From the times of herbal research in ancient China to the modern medical experiments in high-tech buildings, these berries have come a long way.
To utilize the remarkable gifts of these berries, many pharmaceutical companies have come forward and produced effective supplements for their customers. Based on their reviews, quality and nutritional values, we have composed a list along with other relevant information to give you full insight into these miraculous berries.
Our Top 3 Picks
- Doctor's Best
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Our rating - Energizing
- Price: See Here
- Emerald Laboratories
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Our rating - Boosts immunity
- Price: See Here
- Supreme
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Our rating - Natural
- Price: See Here
What are Goji Berries?
From the ethereal natural beauties of Mongolia, China and Himalayan valleys of Tibet and Nepal come the gorgeous evergreen shrubs of Goji berry plant. These berries, also known as wolfberries, are of reddish-orange color and can be consumed in many forms. Sometimes they are dried into raisin-like form, sometimes they are cooked, while other times they are first turned into juice, tea or supplements for the interested party. The berries are even incorporated into wines to offer people the delicious flavor and protection against poor health at the same time.
Below you will find 10 of the best goji berries products ont he market as well as indications where to buy goji berries products.
10 Best Goji Berry Products
1. Doctor's Best
They help in calming down the nerves at triggering moments and also help in stabilizing blood pressure. What's more, they have shown a positive influence on balancing hormones and better blood circulation. There are 120 capsules in one container and each contains brown rice powder with some added flavor and nutrients.
People who have taken this regularly have admitted to improvements regarding their mental health. They have noticed a remarkable reduction in their panic attacks and some have completely got over it!
Good for people with no denture
It is a better way for people with no denture to enjoy goji berry extract since they cannot afford to chew the dried berries. Now they don’t need to miss out on the gifts of these berries and enjoy better health every day.
Intake directions:
1 capsule 4 times a day for best results.
Works against anxiety
Increased energy
Weight loss
Improved memory
Improved eyesight
Quite expensive
2. Planetary Herbals
It has been modified to improve and sustain healthy vision due to its powerful polyphenols, carotenoids and other antioxidants.
Helps cardiac health
If you are suffering from serious cardiac diseases and are concerned by regular “episodes”, you can try this product to see some surprising change! In Taking this regularly with Acai berries will ensure that you don’t suffer from any cardiac incident and your haemoglobin count can also improve from this. All these goodness come at a surprisingly affordable price!
Intake directions:
Thrice a day. Not to be taken with medications for diabetes or blood pressure.
Healthy vision
Strength
Cardiac assistance
Long-term benefit
Affordable
Takes time to affect
3. Supreme Potential Goji
To improve your cellular health and immune system, these capsules are enriched with vitamin C, fiber and beta-carotene. Users have claimed a huge reduction in cold and flu attacks after taking these on a regular basis. Also, skin diseases including allergy also alleviated due to its use.
More nutrient ratio
There is four times the goji berry extract than other contemporary supplements in these capsules. So with every intake, your nutrient ratio goes even higher than usual!
Intake directions:
2 capsules per day.
More nutrients
Fully natural ingredients
High quality
Cures allergy
Affordable
Slow action
4. Natures Way
If you’re in the habit of getting sleepy while driving long distances, these capsules can make you feel more alert about your surroundings and help you rid off the drowsiness.
Each capsule is standardized to have 40% polysaccharides which means the goji berry extract in these capsules holds a much higher nutritional value than their contemporaries.
Free from common allergens
There is no common allergen included in the production of this product. So these capsules are free from wheat, dairy, eggs, corn, soy and east. There is no artificial coloring or preservatives involved.
Intake directions:
Take 1 capsule per day with a little water.
Improved eyesight
Boosts immune system
Alleviates kidney pain
Increases energy
Very Affordable
Slow action
5. Genesis Today Organic
The goji berry juice is extracted from fresh goji berries in local farms of south-east Asia. The manufacturers behind this supplement support organic farming and have partnered with them to make strong and reliable products like this.
A decade-long history
Genesis Today is an old member of this supplements’ industry and with years of experience, they have been trying to come up with better products at an affordable price range. This decade-long product is, therefore, one of the most trustworthy options in the market.
Intake directions:
Preferably one ounce per day. Mix it with water or juice for better taste.
Good quality
Enhances energy level
Helps fibromyalgia
Bitter taste
6. Emerald Laboratories (Fruitrients)
Stems cells are one of the most promising discoveries of modern medical science. They are expected to revolutionize the healing of our body after it has survived a disease. Goji berry in here has eight glyconutrients which help in producing new stem cells and thus, does wonders for your body.
Overall Repair of Body
This one capsule has the power to slow down your ageing, improve your skin, support your immune system, cleanse the liver and bring down blood sugar. So in a way, this is your shortcut to fixing many limitations of your body at once.
Intake Directions:
Twice a day for adults.
Anti-aging
Skin health
Boosts immunity
Liver Detox
Increased Energy
Stabilizes blood sugar
Costly
7. Solaray
Combined with elements like cellulose, silica and magnesium stearate, these capsules are enhanced to leave a long-lasting positive effect on your body mechanisms. They are modified to preserve the naturally high levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein of goji berries for maximum benefit.
Wide range of health benefits
In addition to improving the condition of your vision, kidney and liver, these capsules also control your blood glucose levels and bring them down to a healthy degree. Besides, it promotes proper blood circulation throughout the body.
Intake directions:
1 capsule a day.
Better eyesight
Healthy liver
Healthy kidney
Enhanced blood circulation
Better digestive function
Increased energy
Very affordable
Takes a little time to bring affects
8. Goji Berry Advance
Along with goji berry extract, ingredients like green tea, L-theanine, chromium polynicotinate and a bit of caffeine have been thrown into the mix to make the perfect combination to reduce body weight. These capsules also allow the user to have control over his appetite preventing him from craving for food at random hours of the day.
Additional health benefits
The product also helps in enhancing blood circulation throughout the body, protecting the liver and increasing immunity.
Intake directions:
2 per day, each with at least 8 ounces of water.
Weight loss
Increases energy
Improves circulation
Boosts immunity
No apparent results in short period of intake
9. Piping Rock
Each capsule here contains 1000 mg of goji berry extracts, which is at least a 100gm higher than other goji berry supplements, so these can offer you more value at comparatively less price.
High nutrient ratio
These capsules also have a 4:1 ratio of the berry extracts and thus carry more nutritional value than usual.
Intake directions:
One quick release capsule 2 to 3 times a day, preferably with meal.
More fruit essence
Very affordable
Takes time to affect
10. Goji Berry Extract
One of the leading authorities in natural medical supplements around the world – Dr. Ray Sahelian has approved of the quality and effectiveness of these capsules.
Gluten-free
These pills contain no gluten or soy and thus is a better option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Intake directions:
1 to 3 per day for adults.
Reduces macular degeneration
Reduces risk of atrial fibrillation
Side effect of shallow sleep
Goji Berry Benefits
Mother nature has blessed goji berries with tons of nutritional values, each fighting to keep your body fit and healthy. Asian people have been using it to extend their longevity for many years and now it is used all around the world as a means of prevention to several diseases, as well as maintaining an ideal health. Among all of the goji berry health benefits, the following are the most intriguing:
Vitality
The pharmacist and nutrition researcher Earl Mindel said goji berries stand over all other Asian plants in terms of health benefits. These berries are known to be able to bring down cell ageing within six hours!
Human growth hormone or HGH is one of the most powerful hormones and carries the responsibility of balancing steroidal and sexual hormones. A 70-year-old usually has one-tenth of these hormones compared to a 20-year-old.
Due to this huge gap, there is a chance of the hormones getting out of balance and thus causing the ageing of the body. Goji berries contain a lactone called sesquiterpenoids which can contribute in extending your lifetime by escalating the secretion of HGH in brain’s pineal and pituitary glands.
For all these reasons goji berries are often called the fountain of youth. One of the longest loving men of China – Li Ching-Yuen used to take goji berries as part of his diet. He lived an exceptional lifespan of more than 190 years and discovered the benefits of these berries as a result of his herbal experiments.
Diabetes and Blood Pressure
Wolfberries are rich in iron and play an important role in producing red blood cells. The sesquiterpenoids again help to relieve the person of menstrual problems and lower blood pressure naturally.
A study also found that they also contain chemicals to bring down blood sugar level if taken at the right dosage. They can mediate the release of sugar into the bloodstream and thus prevent the glucose levels from reaching a risky point. Thus, the possibility of being affected by diabetes reduces and the insulin sensitivity of the body is maintained properly.
Eyesight
Goji berries nutrition can protect eyes from macular degeneration which has caused blindness in many elderly subjects. Taking goji berry dietary supplements on a daily basis can protect you from hypopigmentation and soft drusen accumulation in the macula of aged people. Besides these, it contains several elements for the betterment of your vision like vitamins, minerals, carotenoids and flavonoids.
Every 100 gram of these berries contains 100-200 mg zeaxanthin, making it the richest source in nature for this antioxidant. Zeaxanthin, combined with lutein and beta-carotene, provide a powerful protection for your eyesight by repairing any damage to the retina.
Immune System
A phytonutrient called physalin and Ascorbic acid is found in these berries which boost immunity of the body. Besides, the glycoconjugate polysaccharides can train your immune systems to perform better for the rest of your life!
The multiple antioxidants in these berries, mostly vitamins A and C, help to build stronger immunity and prevent common diseases like fever. Goji berry juice has worked better than placebo in a study group of 60 elderly subjects to trigger greater immunological response.
Cancer
Antioxidants come to the rescue again to fight the inhibiting growth of cancer cells like leukemia through polysaccharides! Vitamins A, B2 and C work most against cell damage and lower your risk of falling a victim to cancer.
DNA Protection
The glycoconjugate polysaccharides elevate the blood serum levels of superoxide dismutase and thus provide protection against DNA mutations. The zinc in these berries also helps in building some key proteins to repair the DNA.
Liver Damage
Goji berry is one of the few tonic herbs out there which protects the liver and it is better than others because it is gentle but powerful. It contains betaine, which accelerates choline production in the liver, blocks fatty liver disease and cleanses the organ from toxic materials. There are also cerebrosides which stop the release of liver damaging enzymes. Physalin, on the other hand, has the power to treat hepatitis B.
Precautions and Goji Berries Side Effects
Even with the endless goji berry benefits, there are somegoji berries side effect and limitations to its usage. Not every human will be benefited from them depending on certain contexts.
Uncontrolled Bleeding
Goji capsules can be the reason behind uncontrolled bleeding if you take them along with blood-thinning medications like Coumadin, Aspirin and Plavix.
Low Blood Pressure and Hypertension
Never take goji berry supplements with hypertension medicines or if you have low blood pressure since they have the power to lower your blood pressure even more, causing it to fall to a dangerous level.
Hypoglycemia
If you are taking insulin or other medications for diabetes, goji berry might have a negative effect on your body by lowering blood sugar and causing hypoglycemia.
Miscarriage
Pregnant women or lactating women should never take these supplements because they contain a chemical called betaine which can cause miscarriage. Also, selenium of these berries can contribute to negative growth of the child. Defects at birth, unusual sperm production and low sperm count can also result from selenium.
Allergic Reactions
People suffering from pollen allergies should never go for goji berries because these fruits can trigger issues like sneezing, itching, nasal congestion and more.
Hemophiliacs
If more than the suggested amount is taken, goji berries can lead to increase the blood flow too much and cause unpleasant conditions like haemophiliacs among elderly people.
Digestive Disorders
For people with the weak digestive system, these supplements can cause mild digestive disorders and indigestion. Excess dosage can result in diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and more similar conditions.
Things to Consider While Buying the Supplements
Even though these supplements seldom create any nuisance, it is better to consider the following points before settling upon a final choice.
Warning Label
Take your time to examine the warning label and figure out if there is anything to be concerned about. The supplement manufacturers are not bound to put up a label on their products and this creates a lot of opportunities for them to mess it up sometimes.
The same product might have different warning labels in different areas or states. For example, a goji berry product of California carried the label of “can cause cancer” even if the real manufacturer was not wary about it. This caused confusion and serious concern among the interested users and thus was a major setback for the company.
Make sure to check these labels for special uses for pregnant women and possible drug interactions to avoid harmful outcomes. Also, take help of the pharmacist or your trusted physician to give their feedback on your chosen supplement.
The Right Species
Especially for goji berries, it is very important for you to determine the species your capsules are coming from. These berries have 17 species in total, out of which two are the most popular with names Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense.
The first one is the species on which the relevant experiments have been conducted and since they grow in a soil rich in minerals and fertile, they possess the magical combination of nutrients as described earlier. This species is the one the suppliers take pride in and the researchers continue testing.
Lycium barbarum is the most nutritionally dense and is the actual superfood, as termed by Dr. Hugo who wrote the book “The Superior Ningxia Wolfberry: A Powerful, Natural Ally Against Disease and Aging”.
So be sure to read the description of the product you are buying and that the goji berries included in the product actually are extracted from the right species.
Certified Organic
Make sure the ingredients in your supplement are certified organic. Having a stamp of “USDA Organic” or “Certified Organic” on the supplement container will carry the guarantee that these elements have not been tampered with chemically.
They will assure you that the substances used to make the product are free of synthetic additives such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides and have not been processed using industrial solvents.
Goji berries nutrition of good quality are expected to be organic since the soil they grow on is supposed to be pristine and chemical-free.
Origin
The best source of all these goji berries would be the Ningxia province of China – the birthplace of these berries. However, if they come from a certified farm of any other region like the one in the state of Nevada or the one in the continent Europe in the south of Spain, that should also be accepted as a reliable source.
But keep in mind that many suppliers are wrongfully using the name of China as the origin of their main ingredient. So make sure to double check if the manufacturers are being truthful.
Total Vitamin and Mineral Amount
Vitamins and minerals are of course important elements for the growth of your body, but even in this case moderation is necessary. Intake of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K will do more harm than good. Same goes for minerals like calcium and iron. They can mess up the mechanism of certain medications.
When you check the supplement labels, remember to sum up all these elements and measure if that is the optimum amount you should be getting exposed to.
Moreover, if your doctor tells you to stay away from a specific ingredient or mediate its amount in daily intakes, be sure to include that in your calculation
Medications in Disguise
Supplements can never be the replacement of medications. We all know that but there may be some cunning companies who would market a medication as a supplement.
From 2007 to 2012, FDA faced more than 6000 reports where dietary supplements had caused serious issues. These included 115 deaths, more than 2000 people being hospitalized, a thousand serious diseases or injuries and about 4000 other medical outbreaks.
There have been many instances of supplements containing synthetic steroids, drugs and other harmful chemicals, being marketed as sexual enhancement materials.
FDA is bound by the law to ban any product with that miniscule warning on top. So you need to take the matter into your own hands and stay away from any medication wearing the disguise of a supplement.
Container Material
Opt for supplements with glass packaging as opposed to plastic packaging, since the latter causes the taste to get bitter. The plastic can also degrade with time and then tamper with the nutritional ingredients of the substance, causing the whole product to be worthless in the end.
FAQs
Will it be ok for me to take supplements without consulting a doctor?
Even though supplements nowadays come in handy no matter which pharmacy or online commerce site you go, it is always preferable to check your choice against an expert. Your personal doctor or physician is your best card to play in a situation like that.
Not all kinds of supplements work for everyone. You could be suffering from a mild disease which does not affect your daily life much negatively, but the intake of this new supplement could cause serious damages to your body reacting to the agents of that disease.
There are huge differences made by a small ingredient or a tiny sticker. People like us outside the medical business may not even look twice at it but an expert like a doctor would always know what it is about just after a glance. So we always recommend you cross-checking your new supplement with a reliable physician.
What exactly should I ask my doctor about supplements?
After going to the doctor, you might be facing a lot of confusion regarding what exactly to ask him about. Ask him for details about if the supplement you chose for yourself will complement your current health condition. For example, if you have low blood pressure you physician will, of course, tell you to stay miles away from goji berries since it decreases the pressure even more.
Furthermore, you can ask him about the benefits and drawbacks this particular supplement might bring based on its label and ingredients. He can also help you with the optimum amount to take on a daily basis and if you should continue it forever. This can also let you know if the brand of the supplement manufacturer is a trustworthy one or a foul one.
Are all supplements tested to make sure they’re safe and effective?
Believe it or not, the answer to this question is actually “no”. As much as we tend to trust the makers behind these supplements, these products are not always checked before putting in the market. That is because they are legally not required to do so! The rules and regulations made by the FDA fall short in this respect since they treat supplements like some food rather than medications.
Where there are some frequently used ingredients like folic acid are tested against animal and human subjects to ensure their nutritional value and safety, many other ingredients have never been researched on.
How to know if the supplement I am using is of good quality?
Though manufacturers are technically bound to follow all standards as put forward by GMPs of Good Manufacturing Practices, some of them refuse to do so. There have been some products where the actual ingredient amount or ratio does not match with the claimed number written on its label. Moreover, sometimes these supplements list down an ingredient which is not even there in the product.
To make sure you are getting the right quality, check if there is a seal of approval from a relevant organization like US Pharmacopeia, NSF International or ConsumerLab. These agencies test supplements and grant their approval only if the tested product meet the quality criteria.
Is there a way for me to verify if the supplement’s claims are false?
Usually, if the claims on the product package seem dramatically overstated, they turn out to be false. Basically, if they sound too good to be true, chances are they are not! Rely on your physician’s remarks, results from scientific research or even other customers’ reviews from a dependable website to put their claims to test. You can also call the manufacturer and ask if they can prove what they claim through any scientific study or report.
Is it the FDA’s job to regulate supplements?
The Food and Drug Administration of USA, called FDA in short, do not regulate supplements appropriately.
They do supervise the dietary supplements, but they have rooms of error there too. Technically these products are regulated under a different set of rules compared to conventional food, but still, the way they treat these supplements is more similar to food items than drugs.
This is why unethical producers of these substances can get away with releasing unsafe products in the market. Though all medical products are legally bound to be registered by FDA, their approval cannot be used for marketing according to rules of law.
What if the supplement label says “standardized”?
Standardized only means that the manufacturers have maintained a consistency level when making these products. Every group of these items was produced following the same rules, using the same mechanism and utilizing the same ingredients in their specific ratio. This term is mostly found in packages of herbal medicines or plant extracts like goji berry. However, this term does not guarantee that the quality of the product will be top-notch.
What does it mean by ‘proprietary blend?’
This is a special term which is used for a blend of ingredients exclusive to a manufacturer. That is, if your product has this term on its package, it has been produced with a unique combination of the underlying elements and cannot be replicated by any other company.
What are the differences between RDA and DV?
RDA stands for Recommended Dietary Allowance and DV stands for Daily Value. RDA is set by the Institute of Medicine and it tells you the ideal amount of a particular nutrient you should take in a day. This depends on a lot of factors like your age, gender and if you are pregnant. On the other hand, DV is coined by FDA which decides how much of the nutrient you should take just based on your daily diet. In short, FDA is DV broken down into groups of gender and age.
Supplements usually do not bear the RDA amounts, since DV is the more generalized version of RDA and so more customers get benefitted by it. Nevertheless, check with your doctor if the DV mentioned in your product bottle is higher than your RDA.
What should I do if I have a side effect from a supplement?
As soon as you suffer from a side effect due to using a supplement, contact your doctor first to give you immediate treatment and then call the FDA to make them aware of it. Do not let it slip away from other consumers of this product may be facing the same and it is partly your responsibility to make people conscious of it before they buy it. To contact the FDA you can dial in (800) FDA-1088 or visit their site to report a problem.
How do I know when to start taking dietary supplements?
If your daily diet is based on food items with monotonous nutrients, you can go for dietary supplements to let your body get the components your daily food cannot provide. Supplements are sources of vitamins, minerals and elements like that. So never think of it as a means to treat any disease. These products can help to prevent diseases and make your immune system stronger, but they cannot do the job of medications.
In the end, we have to say, among all the wonderful options, the goji berry supplement from Planetary Herbals seems the most fitting to use since it makes the best use of the most prominent gift of the berries – longevity. Moreover, it comes at an exceptionally affordable price and thus helps the masses to grab the magical nutrients within budget.
