All Articles, Food & Nutrition
Goji Berry: Salvation or Silliness?
| September 15, 2009 | |
| Dr. Gary Huber : Head Medical Ego |
The goji berry has attained a degree of name recognition that rivals Mohammed Ali. Everyone has heard of it yet few can say why it is so popular. It’s popular because it contains “magic”. Yes I’m being a bit silly here but my point is simple, we tend to hear that a particular food has “amazing health benefits” and without even exploring whether it is myth or miracle we just pay the price and hope for the best.
The goji berry has long held a role in traditional Chinese medicine where they have been consumed raw, made into tinctures, or brewed into a tea. The goji has been used to treat ailments related to the liver, lung, kidney, eye, and immune system. It does in fact contain an impressive list of nutrients and is rated as one of the world’s richest source of antioxidants, as well as one of the richest sources of vitamin C. It contains an impressive list of bioactive compounds such as beta-sitoserol which is an anti-inflammatory, betaine which converts to choline in the liver and promotes a calm mood and good memory, and cyperone which is a compound reported to aid blood pressure control.
Goji is loaded with good vitamin content, 21 different minerals, all 8 essential amino acids, and a rich source of carotenoids. So let’s all run the health food store and load up right now!
Well, you might take that approach and no one could fault you. But here is my general concern regarding the consumption of goji: Are there any fresh goji berry farms in your neighborhood? Goji is traditionally grown in China, Himalayas, Tibet and Mongolia. I can’t recall what the USA’s trade agreement with Mongolia is but I question the freshness factor. All too often when a particular nutrient or food reaches critical mass in terms of name recognition we have seen some entities, of less than sterling reputation, take advantage of this fact to turn a quick buck.
If I’m going to buy a goji-enhanced product I want to know how much goji is in the container and how fresh it is. All too often the answer is “1%” and “down right oxidized worthless left over.” Your gallon jug of “Golden Goji Delight” may contain less than one ounce of actual goji.
Don’t get me wrong, I think goji is a lovely fruit with nice qualities and I’m sure its mother is very proud of its accomplishments but at the end of the day it’s still just another fruit and not something that is going to turn you into superman. Everything in it can be obtained from fresh fruit and vegetables grown in your back yard.
If you can find a goji product that has been shown to be concentrated and fresh then go for it but don’t be someone’s chump just because you heard goji was good.
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