Goji (Lycium barbarum) fruit. The dried berry is the part used.

Herbs & Botanicals · Herbs · Red Chinese fruit with small human trials, a few industry-linked juice studies and clear warfarin and allergy cautions

Goji berry

Q: What is goji berry?

The ripe red fruit of Lycium barbarum, also called wolfberry or gou qi zi. It is a member of the nightshade family. The root bark (Lycii cortex) is a different traditional herb.

Q: Can goji berries improve eyesight or prevent macular degeneration?

Not shown. Small trials in healthy people found higher zeaxanthin in the blood and some signs of better macular pigment, but no trial tested people with macular degeneration or measured vision.

Q: Does goji juice reduce tiredness?

Two short trials of one branded juice found people rated fatigue lower. They were small, self-rated and from the juice maker's research group, so the result is weak.

Q: Does goji help the immune system or vaccines?

One trial found higher lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgG with a branded juice. No trial of vaccine response or fewer infections was found.

Q: Can goji lower blood sugar?

Pooled trials found a small drop in fasting glucose, but the evidence is limited. Goji does not replace diabetes treatment, and people on diabetes medicines should tell their doctor.

Q: Is it safe to eat goji with warfarin?

No, not without medical advice. Several case reports describe a raised INR and bleeding after goji juice, tea or wine in people taking warfarin. Ask your prescriber or anticoagulation clinic first.

Q: Can goji cause an allergic reaction?

Yes. Anaphylaxis has been reported. People with lipid transfer protein (LTP) food allergy, for example to peach, are at higher risk, and goji can cross-react with tomato.

Q: Does goji make skin sensitive to sun?

One case report describes sun sensitivity that came back when goji was eaten again. It is not known how often this happens.

Q: Is goji safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

No safety data were found in the sources read. Traditional cautions are often mentioned but could not be verified. Ask a doctor or midwife.

Q: Does goji affect other medicines?

In test tubes, goji juice blocked several liver enzymes that clear drugs. Whether this happens in people is not known, so ask a pharmacist if you take medicines with a narrow safe range.

Lycium barbarum L. (and L. chinense Mill.) · also called Goji berry, wolfberry, gou qi zi, Lycii fructus

Goji is the ripe red fruit of Lycium barbarum, a nightshade-family shrub used for centuries in China as food and as a tonic for the eyes. It is rich in a polysaccharide fraction (LBP) and in the carotenoid zeaxanthin. Root bark (Lycii cortex) is a different herb.

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About Goji berry

Goji is a red fruit from China with small human trials on eye pigment, well-being, blood sugar and blood fats. Evidence is low to very low, some trials come from one juice maker, and there are real cautions for people on warfarin or with plant-food allergies.

What it is

Goji is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, a shrub in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). L. chinense is a close species also used in folk medicine, but Potterat's review says only L. barbarum is the official drug. The fruit (Lycii fructus) and the root bark (Lycii cortex) are used as separate herbs, and this page covers the fruit, with juice and extract labelled.

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What the research shows

Three small trials in healthy adults found goji raised blood zeaxanthin and, in two, signs of macular pigment or macular stability. A branded juice improved self-rated well-being in two short trials, and one trial raised some immune lab values. Pooled analyses found slightly lower fasting glucose and slightly better triglycerides and HDL, but no change in blood pressure or body weight. A 2021 review says the role in retinal disease in people is not yet established.

Industry link: the juice trials used one commercial product (GoChi, FreeLife International) and the abstracts do not state who paid. The Lacto-Wolfberry eye trial also used a proprietary product. No trial of vaccine response was found.

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How it may work

Goji supplies zeaxanthin, which the macula collects, and polysaccharides studied mainly in the lab and in animals. Many of the stronger claims rest on that lab work, not on people.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Traditional Chinese medicine: the fruit (gou qi zi) is used for vision, longevity and diabetes-type symptoms
Chinese cooking: dried berries in soups and teas
Western countries: sold since the 2000s as a juice and superfood

Studied for research

Eye health, low
Well-being and fatigue (one branded juice), low
Blood sugar, low
Blood fats, low
Immune markers, very low
Weight and waist, very low
Blood pressure, against (no change)

Main compounds

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP)
Zeaxanthin dipalmitate (a carotenoid)
Betaine and phenolic compounds

Common forms

Dried or fresh berries
Juice (a branded juice was used in several trials)
Tea and wine
Fruit extract and polysaccharide extract (not the same as the fruit)

Research links: Lycium, Memorial Sloan Kettering · Wolfberry and cardiovascular risk: meta-analysis (2022) · Goji and macular pigment: pilot trial (2021) · Probable warfarin interaction case report (2012) · Goji berry allergy and LTP (2012) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

The plant and its history

Accepted scientific name: Lycium barbarum L.
Naming authority: L.; ACCEPTED in the GBIF backbone (key 2928835). Lycium chinense Mill. is also accepted (key 2928809).
Synonyms: Not listed; GBIF synonym list was not retrieved.
Common names: Goji berry (English); Wolfberry (English); Gou qi zi (Chinese (pinyin))
Botanical family: Solanaceae (the nightshade family, which also includes tomato and potato).
Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Solanales > Solanaceae > Lycium > Lycium barbarum
Native range: Not verified from a botanical source read; traditional use is in East Asia, especially China.
Habitat: Not verified.
What the plant looks like: Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: The red berry (Fructus lycii) is the part used; root bark is separate.
Cultivation: Ningxia is described as a region of the most valued berries (Rajkowska 2023). Otherwise not verified.
Harvest and processing: Berries are sold fresh, dried, as juice, wine, powder and extract; drying method affects quality.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Lycium chinense; Note: A close species also used in folk medicine; Potterat 2010 says only L. barbarum is officinal.; Name: Goji-type berries sold under other names; Note: Not verified; check the species on the label.
Sustainability and conservation: Not verified.

The plant and the parts used

Dried goji berries (Lycium barbarum), close up — Dried goji berries, the part used.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Traditional Chinese medicine	Fruit (Lycii fructus) used for vision, longevity and a remedy for diabetes to balance yin and yang; in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Neelam 2021). Root bark (Lycii cortex) is a separate drug.	p33467087
Recent western popularity	Sold since the early 2000s as a health food and anti-aging product, with marketing that ran ahead of clinical evidence (Potterat 2010).	p19844860
EU food law	A web-search summary says goji was used as food before 15 May 1997 (not novel). NOT verified from the catalogue.	s-eu-novel-food

Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP)	Proteoglycans / polysaccharides	Fruit	The main studied fraction; antioxidant and other effects mostly in lab and animal work. Products are poorly standardised. ^{22 15}	Laboratory research
Zeaxanthin (as zeaxanthin dipalmitate in the fruit) PubChem 5280899	Carotenoid	Fruit 15 g dried wolfberry estimated to contain almost 3 mg zeaxanthin (Cheng 2005)	Absorbed and raises plasma zeaxanthin; the macula accumulates it. PubChem CID given is for zeaxanthin itself, not the dipalmitate ester (CID not found). ¹¹	Controlled trial
Betaine PubChem 247	Quaternary ammonium compound	Not verified	Named as a constituent in Lycium reviews but the sources read here do not give details. ²²	Laboratory research
Scopoletin PubChem 5280460	Coumarin	Not verified	Not described in the abstracts read for this file.	Laboratory research

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Zeaxanthin delivery to the macula	Not applicable	Whole fruit raises plasma zeaxanthin 2.5-fold in people; macular pigment rose in one pilot. The link between blood level and macula change was unclear in another trial. ^{11 17 9}	Controlled trial
Antioxidant enzymes	SOD, glutathione peroxidase	Juice raised SOD and GSH-Px and lowered MDA in healthy adults. ⁷	Controlled trial
Drug-metabolising enzymes	CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4/5/7, FMO3	Juice and ethanol extracts blocked these enzymes in test tubes; water extracts blocked less than 30%. Lab only. ¹⁸	Laboratory research
Immune and gut microbes	Not applicable	Juice raised lymphocytes, IL-2 and IgG in a human trial; polysaccharide effects on immune cells were seen in lab work. ⁶	Controlled trial

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Zeaxanthin from whole wolfberry is bioavailable: plasma level rose 2.5-fold after 28 days of 15 g a day.
Distribution: Not covered in the abstracts read.
Metabolism: Lab data suggest goji products inhibit phase I enzymes; human relevance unknown.
Elimination: Not covered.
Bioavailability: Zeaxanthin is absorbed from whole berries (Cheng 2005).

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Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Whole fruit (15 to 28 g a day), a branded milk formulation, a branded juice, a polysaccharide extract and a L. chinense fruit extract have each been studied separately and cannot be swapped. Pooled analyses suggest whole fruit gave clearer blood-fat effects than extract.

Nutritional composition

Goji berries are a fruit eaten dried or fresh; they contain carotenoids such as zeaxanthin. Detailed nutrient values were not read for this file.

9benefits and uses looked at

31studies and sources checked

Low certaintybest evidence rating found

10lab markers tracked in trials

6 low certainty3 very low certainty

What was looked at

The 9 benefits and uses checked for Goji berry, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changesLow certainty
Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated)Low certainty
Immune markers and vaccine responseVery low certainty
Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markersLow certainty
Blood sugarLow certainty
Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL)Low certainty
Blood pressure and blood vesselsLow certainty
Weight, waist and energy useVery low certainty
Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract)Very low certainty

Lab markers tracked in the studies

Plasma zeaxanthinMacular pigment optical density (MPOD)Lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgGMalondialdehyde (MDA)Fasting blood glucoseTriglyceridesHDL cholesterolLDL and total cholesterolALT and GGTWaist circumference

What is Goji berry good for?

The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is. All results are for the form named; fruit, juice, extract and root bark are different products.

Eye health (macular pigment)Low certaintyIn healthy adults, eating dried goji raised blood zeaxanthin 2.5-fold in 4 weeks, and in two small trials signs of macular pigment or stability improved over 90 days. No trial has tested people with age-related macular degeneration or measured vision. Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigueLow certaintyTwo short trials of one branded juice found higher self-rated energy, sleep and calm and lower fatigue. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so the result may be influenced by expectation or by the maker. Immune markers and vaccine responseVery low certaintyOne 30-day juice trial in 60 older adults raised lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgG. No trial of vaccine response or infections was found. Antioxidant blood markersLow certaintyA juice trial and pooled trials show markers of oxidative stress moving in a helpful direction. These are lab values, not health outcomes. Blood sugarLow certaintyPooled trials found fasting glucose lower by about 0.36 mmol/L, and a small diabetes trial of an extract was positive. Evidence is limited and goji does not replace diabetes treatment. Blood fatsLow certaintyA pooled analysis of 10 trials found triglycerides about 0.14 mmol/L lower and HDL about 0.06 mmol/L higher, clearer with whole fruit. Total cholesterol and LDL results disagree between reviews. Blood pressure and vesselsLow certaintyPooled trials found no change in blood pressure. The traditional blood-pressure use belongs to the root bark, a different herb. Weight and waistVery low certaintyTwo tiny pilot trials of one branded juice reported higher energy use and a smaller waist, but pooled trials found no change in body weight. Liver enzymes (L. chinense extract)Very low certaintyOne 12-week trial of an extract of the related species Lycium chinense found slightly lower ALT and GGT. This does not show that goji berries protect the liver.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changes

Low certainty

Three small trials show that eating goji raises zeaxanthin in the blood, and two suggest signs of better macular pigment. No trial has shown less age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or better vision.

4 studiesWhole dried fruit 15 to 28 g a day in two trials; a proprietary milk-…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Cheng 2005: 14 healthy adults ate 15 g a day of dried wolfberry for 28 days and plasma zeaxanthin rose 2.5-fold (0.038 to 0.096 micromol/L); 13 controls did not change. Bucheli 2011 (150 healthy people aged 65 to 70, placebo-controlled): a branded milk-based goji formulation (13.7 g a day for 90 days) kept the macula stable while the placebo group showed more hypopigmentation and soft drusen; plasma zeaxanthin rose 26%. Li 2021 (27 healthy adults aged 45 to 65, unmasked, no placebo): 28 g of dried goji five days a week for 90 days raised macular pigment density at two retinal positions (p=0.029, 0.044) while a lutein/zeaxanthin capsule did not. A 2021 review says the role of the fruit in managing retinal disease in people is not yet established.

Results

Higher zeaxanthin in blood; macular pigment up in one small pilot; stable macula versus placebo in one branded-product trial.

Effect sizes as reported

Plasma zeaxanthin +26% (Bucheli) and 2.5-fold (Cheng); macular pigment p=0.029 and 0.044 (Li); no numbers for the macular findings in the Bucheli abstract.

Why this rating

Three small trials in healthy people, one with a branded product, one without placebo. They measure markers of risk, not AMD, and the Bucheli authors say the link between zeaxanthin and macula change is unclear.

Form and dose studied

Whole dried fruit 15 to 28 g a day in two trials; a proprietary milk-based formulation in one. This is trial information, not a recommendation.

Who was studied

Healthy adults aged 45 to 70. No AMD patients were studied in these trials.

Limits

No trial in people with AMD; no vision outcome; the Bucheli product was proprietary and funding was not stated (possible industry link, not verified).

Why researchers looked

Goji fruit is unusually rich in zeaxanthin, a yellow pigment that collects in the macula, the centre of the retina. Low macular pigment is a risk marker for AMD.

Traditional use

Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here. Chinese texts describe it as good for the eyes.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Zeaxanthin from the fruit is absorbed and may add to the pigment that filters blue light. A review says the benefit in retinal disease rests mainly on animal studies.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No product-related adverse events in the Bucheli trial. See the safety file for allergy and drug interactions.

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Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated)

Low certainty

Two short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only.

2 studiesGoChi juice 120 mL a day for 14 and 30 days.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Amagase 2008: 34 healthy adults drank 120 mL a day of GoChi juice (16) or placebo (18) for 14 days. The juice group rated energy, athletic performance, sleep quality, ease of waking, focus, mental acuity, calmness, health, contentment and happiness higher, and fatigue and stress lower, compared with their own day-1 ratings; the placebo group changed on two items. Body weight, blood pressure and other measures did not differ. Amagase 2009 (60 older adults, 30 days): well-being scores for fatigue and sleep improved with the juice, and short-term memory and focus showed a tendency to improve; no adverse reactions were reported.

Results

Better self-rated wellbeing and lower fatigue with the juice; no objective outcome changed.

Effect sizes as reported

Questionnaire ratings; numbers are not given in the abstracts.

Why this rating

Two small trials of the same branded juice from the same research group. Self-rated scores are easily influenced by expectation, and both trials were short.

Form and dose studied

GoChi juice 120 mL a day for 14 and 30 days.

Who was studied

Healthy adults, one group Chinese adults aged 55 to 72.

Limits

Industry-linked risk: commercial juice from FreeLife International; funding and author ties not stated in the abstracts. No trial of dried fruit or tea for fatigue was found. No trial in people with a fatigue disorder.

Why researchers looked

Goji is traditionally taken as a tonic. The juice was tested for general feelings of health.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

No clear mechanism; the authors discuss antioxidant and polysaccharide effects but the trials did not test them.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No adverse reactions reported. Juice can interact with warfarin (see safety).

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Immune markers and vaccine response

Very low certainty

One 30-day trial of branded goji juice in older adults raised some immune lab values. A trial of vaccine response was searched for and not found, so nothing is known about whether goji helps people respond to vaccines or catch fewer infections.

2 studiesGoChi juice 120 mL a day for 30 days.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Amagase 2009 (60 healthy adults aged 55 to 72, GoChi juice 120 mL a day vs placebo for 30 days): lymphocyte count, interleukin-2 and IgG rose versus before and versus placebo; CD4, CD8, natural killer cells, interleukin-4 and IgA did not change. Memorial Sloan Kettering says human immune evidence is lacking. A PubMed search for goji with vaccine response found no human vaccine trial among the results checked.

Results

Some immune lab values higher; no infection, illness or vaccine outcome.

Effect sizes as reported

Direction only; numbers not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

One small trial of a branded juice in healthy people; lab values only. No vaccine-response or infection data in the sources read.

Form and dose studied

GoChi juice 120 mL a day for 30 days.

Who was studied

Healthy older adults in China.

Limits

No infection outcomes; no vaccine trial found; industry-linked juice trial.

Why researchers looked

Lycium polysaccharides influence immune cells in the lab, and goji is traditionally a tonic.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Polysaccharides may act on immune cells and gut bacteria in lab and animal work; a review of lab studies says goji polysaccharide is prebiotic and immune-stimulating.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Immune stimulation could matter for people on immune-suppressing drugs; not studied.

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Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markers

Low certainty

In a 30-day juice trial and a pooled analysis, markers of oxidative stress moved in the helpful direction. These are lab markers, not health outcomes.

2 studiesGoChi juice 120 mL a day for 30 days; whole fruit and extracts in poo…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Amagase 2009 Nutr Res (50 healthy adults, 30 days, GoChi 120 mL a day vs placebo): SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0% and malondialdehyde -6.0% versus placebo. Toh 2022 meta-analysis of 10 trials: malondialdehyde lower (Hedges g -1.45, 95% CI -2.75 to -0.16).

Results

Oxidative-stress markers improved.

Effect sizes as reported

SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0%, MDA -6.0% (juice); MDA Hedges g -1.45 (pooled).

Why this rating

Marker changes in small trials; the pooled estimate is wide and mixes forms.

Form and dose studied

GoChi juice 120 mL a day for 30 days; whole fruit and extracts in pooled trials.

Who was studied

Healthy adults and mixed populations.

Limits

Biomarker change is not clinical benefit; juice trial is industry-linked.

Why researchers looked

The fruit contains polysaccharides, carotenoids and polyphenols that act as antioxidants in test tubes.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px) rose, which the authors suggest comes from the body's own defences.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None noted in the abstracts.

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Blood sugar

Low certainty

Pooled trials suggest slightly lower fasting glucose, and one small diabetes trial of an extract found lower blood sugar after a test meal. Evidence is limited, and goji does not replace diabetes treatment.

4 studiesLBP extract 300 mg a day in the diabetes trial; whole fruit and other…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Guo 2017 meta-analysis (7 RCTs, 548 people): fasting glucose lower by 0.36 mmol/L (95% CI -0.62 to -0.10). Zhou 2022 meta-analysis of LBP (7 articles): fasting glucose changed significantly (p<0.05; size not in the abstract). Cai 2015 (67 adults with type 2 diabetes, LBP 300 mg a day for 3 months): glucose after a test meal significantly lower and insulin index higher; the effect looked stronger in people who were not on diabetes drugs. Memorial Sloan Kettering says human data are limited.

Results

Small drop in fasting glucose in pooled trials; one small diabetes trial positive.

Effect sizes as reported

Fasting glucose -0.36 mmol/L (CI -0.62 to -0.10).

Why this rating

Small, inconsistent trials with mixed forms; the diabetes trial was short and small.

Form and dose studied

LBP extract 300 mg a day in the diabetes trial; whole fruit and other forms in the pooled trials.

Who was studied

Healthy adults and adults with type 2 diabetes.

Limits

Extract is not the same as the fruit; abstracts lack effect sizes for the LBP review.

Why researchers looked

Goji is a traditional remedy for symptoms of frequent thirst and urination. Lab work suggests the polysaccharides act on sugar handling.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Polysaccharides may improve insulin response in lab and animal work.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Possible added effect with diabetes drugs (hypoglycaemia) is a theory from lowered glucose; no case reports were found.

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Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL)

Low certainty

A pooled analysis of 10 trials found triglycerides a little lower and HDL a little higher, mostly with the whole fruit. Total cholesterol and LDL did not clearly change.

5 studiesWhole dried fruit 15 g a day in the best-described trial.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Toh 2022 (10 RCTs): triglycerides -0.14 mmol/L (CI -0.19 to -0.09) and HDL +0.06 mmol/L (CI 0.02 to 0.09), clearer for whole fruit than extract; no change in other lipids or blood pressure. Zeng 2023 (5 RCTs, 259 people): triglycerides and HDL improved, total cholesterol and LDL not significant; the authors urge caution after sensitivity analyses. Guo 2017 (7 RCTs): cholesterol and triglyceride changes not significant. Zhou 2022 (LBP): LDL and HDL changed significantly. Toh 2021 (40 adults, 15 g dried wolfberry a day with diet counselling for 16 weeks): HDL +0.08 mmol/L, predicted heart risk -0.8%.

Results

Small gains in triglycerides and HDL; LDL results disagree across reviews.

Effect sizes as reported

TG -0.14 mmol/L; HDL +0.06 mmol/L (pooled).

Why this rating

Reviews disagree on some lipids and rely on small trials; changes are small and are lab markers.

Form and dose studied

Whole dried fruit 15 g a day in the best-described trial.

Who was studied

Mostly adults without disease.

Limits

No heart-event outcomes; the 2023 abstract prints confusing signs, so only the direction is used.

Why researchers looked

Goji is eaten as part of heart-healthy diets in Asia, and LBP lowers fats in animals.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not established in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None noted.

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Blood pressure and blood vessels

Low certainty

Blood pressure did not change in pooled trials. One small trial found a lower predicted heart risk, which is a calculation rather than a measured outcome.

4 studiesWhole fruit 15 g a day in the trial.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Toh 2022: no change in blood pressure across 10 RCTs. Guo 2017: no benefit for blood pressure. Toh 2021 (40 adults, 16 weeks): HDL higher, predicted risk and vascular age lower than control; no difference in the other vascular measures. Potterat 2010 says the blood-pressure interest relates to root-bark compounds.

Results

No blood pressure change; mixed vascular markers.

Effect sizes as reported

No change in blood pressure.

Why this rating

Consistent null for blood pressure across two meta-analyses (fruit).

Form and dose studied

Whole fruit 15 g a day in the trial.

Who was studied

Adults.

Limits

Root bark results must not be applied to the fruit.

Why researchers looked

Root bark of Lycium is traditionally used for high blood pressure, but that is a different herb from the fruit.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

None shown for the fruit.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No hypotension signal in the trials; no case reports found.

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Weight, waist and energy use

Very low certainty

Pilot trials of one branded juice reported higher energy use after a meal and a smaller waist. Pooled trials of various goji forms found no change in body weight.

2 studiesGoChi 120 mL a day.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Amagase 2011: two small randomized, placebo-controlled studies of GoChi juice in overweight adults. One 120 mL dose raised post-meal energy use about 10% at 1 hour versus placebo; 120 mL a day for 14 days cut waist circumference by 5.5 cm (n=15) versus 0.9 cm in placebo (n=14). Guo 2017 pooled: no benefit for body weight.

Results

Waist smaller in a tiny juice trial; no weight change in pooled trials.

Effect sizes as reported

Waist -5.5 cm vs -0.9 cm.

Why this rating

Two tiny pilot studies, 14 days, from the juice maker's research group; conflicts with the pooled null on weight.

Form and dose studied

GoChi 120 mL a day.

Who was studied

Overweight healthy adults.

Limits

Industry-linked juice trial; not repeated.

Why researchers looked

Rodent studies suggested goji raises metabolic rate.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not shown in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None noted.

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Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract)

Very low certainty

One 12-week trial of a Lycium chinense fruit extract found slightly lower liver enzymes in people with mildly raised ALT. It is a different species and an extract, so it does not show that goji berries protect the liver.

3 studiesL. chinense fruit extract 1,760 mg a day for 12 weeks.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Oh 2023: 90 adults aged 19 to 70 with raised ALT took 1,760 mg a day of L. chinense fruit extract or placebo for 12 weeks. ALT (P=0.0498) and GGT (P=0.0368) fell versus placebo; no clinically significant safety changes. Memorial Sloan Kettering says liver benefits are preclinical and human evidence is not established. The LBP review calls liver disease a promising area but notes most evidence is animal.

Results

Small drops in ALT and GGT with one extract.

Effect sizes as reported

P=0.0498 for ALT; P=0.0368 for GGT.

Why this rating

One trial with borderline P values, an extract of another species.

Form and dose studied

L. chinense fruit extract 1,760 mg a day for 12 weeks.

Who was studied

Adults with mildly raised ALT.

Limits

Do not apply to L. barbarum berries or to root bark.

Why researchers looked

Animal and lab studies suggest protective effects on the liver.

Traditional use

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Antioxidant and anti-fibrosis effects in animals.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No safety signal in the trial.

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Connections to the rest of health

How Goji berry connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Healthy Aging	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changes: Three small trials show that eating goji raises zeaxanthin in the blood, and two suggest signs of better macular pigment. No trial has shown less age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or better vision. Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markers: In a 30-day juice trial and a pooled analysis, markers of oxidative stress moved in the helpful direction. These are lab markers, not health outcomes.	^{11 9 17 20 7 27}
Reduce Fatigue	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated): Two short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only.	^{5 6}
Better Sleep	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated): Two short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only.	^{5 6}
Stress Reduction	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated): Two short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only.	^{5 6}
Immune Support	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Immune markers and vaccine response: One 30-day trial of branded goji juice in older adults raised some immune lab values. A trial of vaccine response was searched for and not found, so nothing is known about whether goji helps people respond to vaccines or catch fewer infections.	^{6 1}
Blood Sugar Balance	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Blood sugar: Pooled trials suggest slightly lower fasting glucose, and one small diabetes trial of an extract found lower blood sugar after a test meal. Evidence is limited, and goji does not replace diabetes treatment.	^{14 31 10 1}
Cholesterol Balance	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL): A pooled analysis of 10 trials found triglycerides a little lower and HDL a little higher, mostly with the whole fruit. Total cholesterol and LDL did not clearly change.	^{27 29 14 31 26}
Heart Health	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL): A pooled analysis of 10 trials found triglycerides a little lower and HDL a little higher, mostly with the whole fruit. Total cholesterol and LDL did not clearly change.	^{27 29 14 31 26}
Blood Pressure Support		Low certainty	Blood pressure and blood vessels: Blood pressure did not change in pooled trials. One small trial found a lower predicted heart risk, which is a calculation rather than a measured outcome.	^{27 14 26 22}
Heart Health		Low certainty	Blood pressure and blood vessels: Blood pressure did not change in pooled trials. One small trial found a lower predicted heart risk, which is a calculation rather than a measured outcome.	^{27 14 26 22}
Weight Management	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Weight, waist and energy use: Pilot trials of one branded juice reported higher energy use after a meal and a smaller waist. Pooled trials of various goji forms found no change in body weight.	^{8 14}
Metabolic Health	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Weight, waist and energy use: Pilot trials of one branded juice reported higher energy use after a meal and a smaller waist. Pooled trials of various goji forms found no change in body weight.	^{8 14}
Liver Support	Potential benefit	Very low certainty	Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract): One 12-week trial of a Lycium chinense fruit extract found slightly lower liver enzymes in people with mildly raised ALT. It is a different species and an extract, so it does not show that goji berries protect the liver.	^{21 15 1}

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Cardiovascular system	Drug or supplement interaction	Low certainty	Case reports of raised INR with bleeding. Preparation or compound: Goji juice, tea or wine with warfarin	^{24 30}
Immune system	Adverse effect or risk	Low certainty	Allergy including anaphylaxis, linked to lipid transfer protein. Preparation or compound: Goji berry	^{19 16}
Nervous System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changes Studied for: Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated)	^{11 9 17 20 5 6}
Immune System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Immune markers and vaccine response	^{6 1}
Cardiovascular System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markers Studied for: Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL)	^{7 27 29 14 31 26 22}
Endocrine System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Blood sugar	^{14 31 10 1}
Metabolism Weight	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Weight, waist and energy use	^{8 14}
Hepatic System	Biological association	Very low certainty	Studied for: Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract)	^{21 15 1}

C. Body parts and organs

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Skin	Adverse effect or risk	Very low certainty	One case of photosensitivity. Preparation or compound: Goji berries	¹³

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Plasma zeaxanthin	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{11 9}
Macular pigment optical density (MPOD)	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁷
Lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgG	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁶
Malondialdehyde (MDA)	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{7 27}
Fasting blood glucose	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹⁴
Triglycerides	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{27 29}
HDL cholesterol	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{27 26}
LDL and total cholesterol	Biological association	Mixed findings	Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{29 31}
ALT and GGT	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²¹
Waist circumference	Biological association	Very low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	⁸

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
CYP2C9 / CYP2C19 / CYP3A4	Preliminary mechanism	In vitro	Inhibited by goji juice and ethanol extract in test tubes.	¹⁸

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Carotenoid delivery to the macula (zeaxanthin)	Preliminary mechanism	Rct	Plasma zeaxanthin rises with goji intake.	¹¹

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP)	Biological association	In vitro	The main studied fraction; antioxidant and other effects mostly in lab and animal work. Products are poorly standardised. Preparation or compound: Fruit	^{22 15}
Zeaxanthin (as zeaxanthin dipalmitate in the fruit)	Biological association	Rct	Absorbed and raises plasma zeaxanthin; the macula accumulates it. PubChem CID given is for zeaxanthin itself, not the dipalmitate ester (CID not found). Preparation or compound: Fruit	¹¹
Betaine	Biological association	In vitro	Named as a constituent in Lycium reviews but the sources read here do not give details. Preparation or compound: Not verified	²²
Scopoletin	Biological association	In vitro	Not described in the abstracts read for this file. Preparation or compound: Not verified

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 10 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Metabolic211 Organ function11 Other22

The evidence

The research centre for Goji berry. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changes 4 studies · 177 people in trials Low certainty Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated) 2 studies · 94 people in trials Low certainty Immune markers and vaccine response 2 studies · 60 people in trials Very low certainty Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markers 2 studies · 50 people in trials Low certainty Blood sugar 4 studies · 67 people in trials Low certainty Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL) 5 studies · 40 people in trials Low certainty Blood pressure and blood vessels 4 studies · 40 people in trials Low certainty Weight, waist and energy use 2 studies · 29 people in trials Very low certainty Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract) 3 studies · 90 people in trials Very low certainty

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We searched PubMed, read every abstract directly, checked taxonomy through GBIF and read the Memorial Sloan Kettering herb page. NCCIH had no goji page; EFSA, EMA/HMPC, LiverTox and LactMed entries were not found, and the EU Novel Food Catalogue was not opened. This is stated where it matters.

Study library: every study we checked 31

Design Research type Plant part Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
2021 Lycium (About Herbs), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Source	Authoritative guidance		unspecified	Page last updated 10 December 2021, read 2026-10-25. Lists warfarin and other anticoagulants and lipid transfer protein food allergy under 'do not take if'; reports a few cases of raised INR and one bleeding case with goji wine; says lycium may affect drugs cleared by CYP3A4, 2C9 and 2C19 (lab extracts blocked 2C9 and 2C19, clinical relevance to be determined); human data on blood sugar are limited; preclinical liver and immune findings; safety and efficacy for chronic disease not established. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, photosensitivity, sulfites and contamination are not mentioned. Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
2026 NCCIH goji page (checked, not found) · Source	Authoritative guidance		unspecified	The address returned HTTP 404 on 2026-10-25. No NCCIH goji page was found. Methods, limits and funding Read: not-found
2026 EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for goji berry (search snippet only) · Source	Authoritative guidance		unspecified	A web-search summary says the Commission's catalogue lists Lycium barbarum goji berry as used to a significant degree before 15 May 1997 and so not novel. The catalogue entry itself was NOT opened, so this is NOT verified. The catalogue says it is indicative only. No EFSA opinion and no EMA/HMPC monograph on Lycii fructus were found. Methods, limits and funding Read: summary-only
2026 GBIF species match: Lycium barbarum L. (key 2928835) and Lycium chinense Mill. (key 2928809) · Source	Database record		unspecified	Both ACCEPTED, EXACT match, family Solanaceae, order Solanales (GBIF API, 2026-10-25). Methods, limits and funding Read: full-text
Amagase 2008 A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi J Altern Complement Med · PMID 18447631 · DOI	Controlled trial	34 Healthy adults (16 juice, 18 placebo)	GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) 120 mL a day 14 days · vs placebo drink	Juice group rated energy, sleep, focus, calmness, health and happiness higher and fatigue and stress lower versus their own day-1 scores; placebo changed in only two items. Body weight, blood pressure and other measured values did not differ. Questionnaire ratings (0 to 5); numbers not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Self-rated well-being, energy, sleep, focus, fatigue, stress; body weight, blood pressure, pulse, visual acuity Limitations: Very small; self-rated scores; 14 days; within-group comparison highlighted; commercial product. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract
Amagase 2009 Immunomodulatory effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum fruit juice in Chinese older healthy human subjects J Med Food · PMID 19857084 · DOI	Controlled trial	60 Healthy adults aged 55 to 72 in China	GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) 120 mL a day (stated as equal to at least 150 g fresh fruit) 30 days · vs placebo	Lymphocyte count, interleukin-2 and IgG rose versus pre-treatment and placebo; CD4, CD8, natural killer cells, IL-4 and IgA did not change. Fatigue and sleep ratings improved. No adverse reactions. Direction only; numbers not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Immune cells and signals, well-being Limitations: Healthy people; lab immune markers, not infections or vaccine response; 30 days. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract
Amagase 2009 Lycium barbarum (goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant biomarkers in serum of healthy adults Nutr Res · PMID 19185773 · DOI	Controlled trial	50 Healthy Chinese adults aged 55 to 72	GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) 120 mL a day 30 days · vs placebo	Versus placebo after 30 days: SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0%, MDA -6.0%. SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0%, MDA -6.0% versus placebo (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde Limitations: Blood markers only; commercial product. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract
Amagase 2011 Lycium barbarum increases caloric expenditure and decreases waist circumference in healthy overweight men and women: pilot study J Am Coll Nutr · PMID 22081616 · DOI	Controlled trial	29 Overweight healthy adults (two small studies)	GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) 30, 60 or 120 mL once; 120 mL a day single dose; 14 days · vs placebo	One 120 mL dose raised post-meal energy use about 10% at 1 hour versus placebo. Waist fell 5.5 cm (n=15) over 14 days versus 0.9 cm in placebo (n=14). Waist -5.5 cm vs -0.9 cm (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Energy use after a meal; waist circumference Limitations: Pilot, tiny, 14 days; weight change not reported in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract
Bucheli 2011 Goji berry effects on macular characteristics and plasma antioxidant levels Optom Vis Sci · PMID 21169874 · DOI	Controlled trial	150 Healthy adults aged 65 to 70	Lacto-Wolfberry, a proprietary milk-based goji formulation fruit 13.7 g a day 90 days · vs placebo	Placebo group showed macular hypopigmentation and soft drusen build-up; the goji group stayed stable. Plasma zeaxanthin rose 26% and antioxidant capacity 57% with goji only. No product-related adverse events. Change in zeaxanthin did not match change in macula. Zeaxanthin +26%; antioxidant capacity +57%; macular findings not given as numbers in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Macular pigmentation, soft drusen count, plasma zeaxanthin, antioxidant capacity Limitations: Healthy, not AMD patients; branded milk formulation; mechanism unclear. Funding and conflicts: Proprietary formulation; funding not stated in the abstract. Possible industry link, not verified. Read: abstract
Cai 2015 Practical Application of Antidiabetic Efficacy of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Med Chem · PMID 25381995 · DOI	Controlled trial	67 Adults with type 2 diabetes (37 LBP, 30 control)	Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) extract fruit polysaccharide extract 300 mg a day 3 months · vs control	Serum glucose was significantly lower and the insulinogenic index and HDL higher with LBP; the effect looked stronger in people not taking diabetes medicines. Direction only in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Glucose after a mixed meal test, insulin index, HDL Limitations: Small, short; extract not the whole fruit; abstract has no numbers. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Cheng 2005 Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response to Fructus barbarum L. (wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation trial Br J Nutr · PMID 15705234 · DOI	Controlled trial	27 Healthy adults: 14 took wolfberry, 13 controls	Whole dried wolfberries fruit 15 g a day (about 3 mg zeaxanthin) 28 days · vs no wolfberry	Plasma zeaxanthin rose 2.5-fold (0.038 to 0.096 micromol/L, P<0.01); controls unchanged. 2.5-fold rise in plasma zeaxanthin (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Fasting plasma zeaxanthin Limitations: Single-blinded, small, controls took nothing; measures blood level not eyes. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Ding 2023 Achieving High Efficacy and Low Safety Risk by Balancing Pesticide Deposition on Leaves and Fruits of Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) ACS Omega · PMID 37125088 · DOI	Other plant	Field and lab study of spray retention	Chinese wolfberry plants fruit and leaf	The authors state pesticide residue is the main technical barrier to exporting Chinese wolfberry. The study is about spray technique, not residue levels in shop products. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pesticide retention on leaves vs fruit Limitations: Does not test retail products. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing financial interest. Read: abstract
Gomez-Bernal 2011 Systemic photosensitivity due to Goji berries Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed · PMID 21950628 · DOI	Case report	1 53-year-old man	Goji berries (and cat's claw tea, which was cleared) fruit 5 months of use before the rash	Itchy rash on sun-exposed skin; the dose of UVB needed to redden skin was lower while taking goji and normal after stopping; goji re-challenge lowered it again, cat's claw did not. The authors call it the first case. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: UVB sensitivity Limitations: One case. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Guo 2017 The effects of Lycium barbarum L. on cardiometabolic risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Food Funct · PMID 28401234 · DOI	Meta-analysis	548 7 RCTs	Lycium barbarum supplementation (forms vary) fruit/unspecified varied varied · vs control	Fasting glucose lower; cholesterol and triglyceride changes not statistically significant; no benefit for body weight or blood pressure. Fasting glucose -0.36 mmol/L (-0.62 to -0.10 mmol/L) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, blood pressure Limitations: Inconsistent trials; forms and doses differ. The authors call the evidence 'some evidence'. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Kwok 2019 A Systematic Review of Potential Therapeutic Use of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides in Disease Biomed Res Int · PMID 30891458 · DOI	Systematic review	20 papers: 2 RCTs, 11 animal, 5 cell, 1 mixed, 1 chemistry	Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) fruit polysaccharide extract varied varied · vs varied	Mostly animal and lab work; only 2 RCTs. Authors say LBP is promising but large human trials are needed and quality control of LBP is lacking. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Many diseases Limitations: Selected 20 of 207 papers; narrative review. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Larramendi 2012 Goji berries (Lycium barbarum): risk of allergic reactions in individuals with food allergy J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol · PMID 23101309	Case series	31 Plant-food-allergic people in Spain	Goji berry skin tests fruit	Goji skin tests were positive in 24 of 31 people (77%) who were plant-food-allergic; positivity went with peach peel and the panallergen LTP. 45% reported symptoms, but 89% of skin-test-positive people had never eaten goji. The authors say goji is a risk for people with food allergy, especially LTP allergy. 24 of 31 skin-test positive (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Skin prick test and IgE Limitations: Selected allergic people, so does not give rates in the general public. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Li 2021 Goji Berry Intake Increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial Nutrients · PMID 34959963 · DOI	Controlled trial	27 Healthy adults aged 45 to 65	Whole dried goji berries; comparison arm lutein 6 mg + zeaxanthin 4 mg capsule fruit 28 g, five days a week 90 days · vs lutein/zeaxanthin supplement (open-label, no placebo)	MPOD rose in the goji group at two retinal positions (p=0.029 and 0.044) but not in the supplement group; skin carotenoids also rose with goji. MPOD higher at 0.25 and 1.75 degree eccentricity (p=0.029, p=0.044) (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), skin carotenoids Limitations: Pilot, unmasked, 27 people; MPOD is a risk marker, not vision or AMD. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract
Liu 2016 In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes J Complement Integr Med · PMID 27352447 · DOI	Laboratory research in-vitro	Lab enzyme assays	Goji juice (fresh and commercial), water and 80% ethanol extracts of the fruit fruit	Juices strongly blocked (over 75%) most major CYP enzymes; water extracts blocked under 30%; ethanol extract blocked CYP2C9 and 2C19 over 90%. The authors say goji products could affect drug safety and effect. Lab data only. Inhibition percentages as listed (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: CYP2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4/5/7, 4A11, 19 and FMO3 activity Limitations: No people involved; clinical relevance unknown. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Monzon Ballarin 2011 Anaphylaxis associated with the ingestion of Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol · PMID 22312943	Case report	2 Two patients	Goji berries fruit	Two allergic reactions, one anaphylaxis. Positive skin tests and IgE; a 9 kDa band probably LTP; tomato extract blocked it, showing cross-reaction with another nightshade food (goji is in the Solanaceae family). Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Allergic reaction Limitations: Two cases. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Neelam 2021 Fructus lycii: A Natural Dietary Supplement for Amelioration of Retinal Diseases Nutrients · PMID 33467087 · DOI	Narrative review	Narrative review	Fructus lycii (Lycium barbarum fruit) fruit	Robust benefits come mainly from animal models; the role in managing retinal disease in people is not yet established. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Retinal disease (AMD, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa) Limitations: Narrative review. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract
Oh 2023 Lycium chinense Miller fruit extract lowers liver enzyme levels in subjects with mild hepatic dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial Eur J Nutr · PMID 36629892 · DOI	Controlled trial	90 Adults aged 19 to 70 with raised ALT	Lycium chinense fruit extract capsules (a different species from L. barbarum) fruit extract 1,760 mg a day 12 weeks · vs placebo	ALT (P=0.0498) and GGT (P=0.0368) fell versus placebo; no clinically significant safety changes. P values only in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: ALT, GGT, safety Limitations: Borderline significance; one trial; L. chinense extract only. Funding and conflicts: Registered KCT0003985; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Potterat 2010 Goji (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense): Phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety in the perspective of traditional uses and recent popularity Planta Med · PMID 19844860 · DOI	Narrative review mixed	Narrative review	Goji fruit and root bark (reviewed separately) fruit and root bark	Says only L. barbarum is officinal; fruit (Lycii fructus) and root bark (Lycii cortex) are different drugs. No signs of toxicity but two warfarin cases point to a drug-interaction risk. Clinical evidence and quality control are needed before any recommendation. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Constituents, pharmacology, safety Limitations: 2010 review, older than most trials. Called a review; not a systematic search. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Rajkowska 2023 Microbial Diversity and Bioactive Compounds in Dried Lycium barbarum Fruits (Goji): A Comparative Study Molecules · PMID 37241797 · DOI	Other plant	Dried goji sold in Poland compared with Ningxia (China) fruit	Dried goji fruit fruit	Highest microbial contamination (over 10^6 CFU/g) was in goji sold in Poland; naturally dried Ningxia fruit had the best quality. Origin and drying method changed composition. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Microbes, polyphenols, carotenoids Limitations: Few samples; microbes, not harmful species named in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared. Read: abstract
Rivera 2012 Probable interaction between Lycium barbarum (goji) and warfarin Pharmacotherapy · PMID 22392461 · DOI	Case report	1 71-year-old woman on warfarin	Goji juice fruit (juice) 4 days before admission	Hospitalised with INR above range (prothrombin time over 120 s), nosebleed, bruising and rectal bleeding after 4 days of goji juice; treated with vitamin K; INR 2.6 two days later. Naranjo score 6 (probable). Authors cite two other reports with L. barbarum tea. Naranjo 6 (probable) (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: INR and bleeding Limitations: Single case; cause cannot be proven. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable. Read: abstract
Tan 2021 Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review Br J Clin Pharmacol · PMID 32478963 · DOI	Systematic review	149 articles on 78 foods, herbs or supplements	Includes Chinese wolfberry fruit varied varied · vs varied	Names Chinese wolfberry among items that increase bleeding risk with warfarin; patients should check with their clinicians when starting any new herb. Wolfberry listed among potentiators (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Warfarin potentiation or inhibition Limitations: Abstract does not detail the wolfberry evidence (case reports). Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Toh 2021 Enhancing the cardiovascular protective effects of a healthy dietary pattern with wolfberry (Lycium barbarum): A randomized controlled trial Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 33964853 · DOI	Controlled trial	40 Middle-aged and older adults in Singapore	Whole dried wolfberry cooked with meals, plus healthy-diet counselling fruit 15 g a day 16 weeks · vs diet counselling only	HDL higher by 0.08 mmol/L, Framingham predicted risk lower by 0.8% and vascular age lower by 1.9 years versus control; no difference in other vascular outcomes. HDL +0.08 mmol/L; predicted CVD risk -0.8% (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Vascular function and structure, lipids, blood pressure Limitations: Only 40 people; no placebo (counselling control); predicted risk is a calculation. Funding and conflicts: Registered NCT03535844; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Toh 2022 Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with wolfberry consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Eur J Nutr · PMID 34839399 · DOI	Meta-analysis	10 RCTs chosen from 785 articles	Whole dried wolfberry or wolfberry extract fruit varied varied · vs control groups	Triglycerides lower and HDL higher; malondialdehyde lower; no change in other lipids or blood pressure. Whole fruit showed clearer effects than extract. Triglycerides -0.14 mmol/L; HDL +0.06 mmol/L (pooled) (TG -0.19 to -0.09; HDL 0.02 to 0.09 mmol/L) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood lipids, blood pressure, oxidative stress, inflammation Limitations: Small trials of mixed forms; lab markers, not heart attacks. Abstract does not give the reviewers' GRADE. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Uasuf 2020 Emerging Allergens in Goji Berry Superfruit: The Identification of New IgE Binding Proteins towards Allergic Patients' Sera Biomolecules · PMID 32365614 · DOI	Laboratory research in-vitro	Sera from allergic patients	Goji berry protein extract fruit	Goji allergy is often linked to lipid transfer protein (LTP), especially around the Mediterranean. Vicilin, legumin and an 11S globulin were the most reactive proteins. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: IgE-binding proteins Limitations: Lab immunoblot work. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract
Zeng 2023 L. barbarum supplementation for lipid profiles in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs Medicine (Baltimore) · PMID 37773857 · DOI	Meta-analysis	259 5 RCTs, adults	Lycium barbarum (fruit and other forms) fruit/unspecified varied varied · vs control	Triglycerides and HDL improved; total cholesterol and LDL changes not significant. Fruit showed a larger effect. The authors urge caution after sensitivity analyses. TG 0.14 mmol/L, HDL -0.07 mmol/L as printed in the abstract (the abstract's sign wording looks reversed, so only the direction 'better TG and HDL' is taken from the authors' conclusion) (TG 0.08 to 0.20; HDL -0.13 to -0.01) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Triglycerides, HDL, total cholesterol, LDL Limitations: Only 5 trials; printed signs look inconsistent. Funding and conflicts: The authors report no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract
Zhang 2015 Bleeding due to a probable interaction between warfarin and Gouqizi (Lycium Barbarum L.) Toxicol Rep · PMID 28962463 · DOI	Case report	1 65-year-old man on long-term warfarin	Goji berry wine fruit (wine)	Raised INR with bleeding after drinking goji wine. The authors say large amounts (more than 6 to 12 g of fruit) can strengthen warfarin and cite three earlier reports. Not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: INR and bleeding Limitations: Single case; wine also contains alcohol, which can affect warfarin. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable. Read: abstract
Zhou 2022 The Effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide on the Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis J Am Nutr Assoc · PMID 34213407 · DOI	Meta-analysis	7 articles	Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) fruit polysaccharide extract varied varied · vs control	LBP had significant effects on triglycerides, fasting glucose, LDL and HDL (p<0.05) but not total cholesterol. Numbers are not given in the abstract. Direction and size not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Glucose, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol Limitations: Abstract gives no effect sizes; small pool of studies; the authors say more evidence is needed. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract

What we do not know yet

No trial in people with age-related macular degeneration or with vision outcomes.
No vaccine-response or infection trial found.
Well-being trials come from one research group and one branded juice.
No data on pregnancy, breastfeeding or children.
No frequency data for allergy, photosensitivity or warfarin interaction.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person checks each one before it is added.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Metabolic 4

▼

Fasting blood glucose

Lowered in trials

Blood sugar after fasting.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to watch for diabetes.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant; clinical value uncertain and not a replacement for treatment.

Safety implication

Could add to the effect of glucose-lowering medicines in theory.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁴	-0.36 mmol/L (CI -0.62 to -0.10)	548 people in 7 RCTs	Lycium barbarum in varied forms

¹⁴

▼

Triglycerides

Lowered in trials

A type of blood fat.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A heart-risk marker.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small change; a marker.

Safety implication

None noted.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁷	-0.14 mmol/L (CI -0.19 to -0.09)	10 RCTs	Whole wolfberry more than extract (extract -0.07, CI -0.30 to 0.16)

^{27 29}

▲

HDL cholesterol

Raised in trials

The 'good' cholesterol.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Heart-risk marker.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small change; a marker.

Safety implication

None noted.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁷	+0.06 mmol/L (CI 0.02 to 0.09)	10 RCTs	Wolfberry, mostly whole fruit
²⁶	+0.08 mmol/L versus control	40 adults	15 g dried wolfberry a day, 16 weeks

^{27 26}

↕

LDL and total cholesterol

Mixed results in trials

The 'bad' and total cholesterol.

Mixed findings

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Heart-risk markers.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Reviews disagree.

Safety implication

None noted.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁹	Total cholesterol and LDL not significant	259 people, 5 RCTs	L. barbarum
³¹	LDL changed significantly; total cholesterol did not	7 articles	LBP

^{29 31}

Organ function 2

▲

Lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgG

Raised in trials

Immune cell counts and signalling proteins in blood.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used as a snapshot of immune activity.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistically significant but a higher count is not proof of better protection; one branded-juice trial.

Safety implication

None noted in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁶	Rose versus baseline and placebo; CD4, CD8, NK cells, IL-4, IgA unchanged	60 healthy older adults	GoChi juice 120 mL a day, 30 days

⁶

▼

ALT and GGT

Lowered in trials

Liver enzymes.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to spot liver strain.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Borderline; extract of another species.

Safety implication

No safety signal in the trial.

Study	Result	People	Product
²¹	ALT P=0.0498; GGT P=0.0368 versus placebo	90 adults with raised ALT	L. chinense fruit extract 1,760 mg a day, 12 weeks

²¹

Other 4

▲

Plasma zeaxanthin

Raised in trials

The level of the yellow carotenoid zeaxanthin in blood.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Zeaxanthin builds up in the macula.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

The blood level clearly rises, but it did not track macular changes in the Bucheli trial.

Safety implication

None noted.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹¹	0.038 to 0.096 micromol/L (2.5-fold, P<0.01)	14 healthy adults	15 g dried wolfberry a day, 28 days
⁹	+26% versus no change in placebo	150 healthy adults aged 65-70	Lacto-Wolfberry 13.7 g a day, 90 days

^{11 9}

▲

Macular pigment optical density (MPOD)

Raised in trials

A non-invasive reading of how much protective pigment sits in the macula.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A risk marker for age-related macular degeneration.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Pilot, unmasked; a marker, not vision.

Safety implication

None noted.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁷	Higher at two retinal positions (p=0.029, 0.044); no change with lutein/zeaxanthin capsule	27 healthy adults aged 45-65	28 g dried goji five days a week, 90 days

¹⁷

▼

Malondialdehyde (MDA)

Lowered in trials

A by-product of fat damage by oxidation.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used as a marker of oxidative stress.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Marker only.

Safety implication

None noted.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁷	-6.0% versus placebo	50 healthy adults	GoChi juice 120 mL a day, 30 days
²⁷	Hedges g -1.45 (95% CI -2.75 to -0.16)	Pooled trials	Wolfberry in varied forms

^{7 27}

▼

Waist circumference

Lowered in trials

Distance around the waist.

Very low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Body-fat marker.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Tiny pilot, industry-linked.

Safety implication

None noted.

Study	Result	People	Product
⁸	-5.5 cm vs -0.9 cm placebo	29 overweight adults	GoChi 120 mL a day, 14 days

⁸

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 3

Warfarin: several case reports of a raised INR and bleeding. Goji juice, tea or wine has been linked to a markedly raised INR and bleeding in people taking warfarin. One 71-year-old woman had a prothrombin time over 120 seconds with nosebleed, bruising and rectal bleeding after 4 days of goji juice. A 65-year-old man bled after drinking goji wine. A 2021 systematic review lists Chinese wolfberry among items that raise bleeding risk with warfarin. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists warfarin under 'do not take if'. Case report ^{24 30 25 1}
Allergy: goji is a nightshade and a known allergen, especially with lipid transfer protein allergy. Goji berries can cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. People allergic to peach or other plant foods through lipid transfer protein (LTP) are at higher risk. Goji is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), and one patient's reaction cross-reacted with tomato. Case series ^{19 16 28 1}
Lab work suggests goji could change how the body clears some drugs. Goji juice and extracts blocked several liver drug-clearing enzymes (CYP2C9, 2C19 and others) in test tubes. Whether this matters in people is not known. Laboratory research ^{18 1}

Side effects 4

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
Allergic reaction (itching, hives, anaphylaxis) Selected allergic people, so this is not a rate for the general public.	Not known; 24 of 31 plant-food-allergic people had positive skin tests, but 89% of them had never eaten goji	mild to severe (anaphylaxis reported) Not stated in the abstracts	Case series ^{19 16}
Raised INR and bleeding with warfarin The wine case also involved alcohol.	Not known; case reports only	serious (hospitalisation) INR returned toward range after stopping goji and warfarin and giving vitamin K in one case	Case report ^{24 30}
Sun sensitivity of the skin (photosensitivity) Memorial Sloan Kettering does not discuss photosensitivity.	Not known; one case report, called the first by its authors	mild to moderate (itchy rash) Skin sensitivity returned to normal after stopping	Case report ¹³
No adverse events in the trials that checked Small, short trials; they cannot rule out rare problems.	Trials reported none	not applicable not applicable	Controlled trial ^{9 6 21}

Liver

No case report of goji liver injury was found in the sources read, and no LiverTox goji entry was found. In one trial, a Lycium chinense fruit extract slightly lowered liver enzymes with no clinically significant safety changes. Memorial Sloan Kettering says other analyses point to a potential for liver disease and that human evidence is not established. The root bark is a separate herb and is not covered. ^{21 1}

How often. No frequency can be given.

Monitoring. No official monitoring advice was found.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Goji berry supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 5

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Warfarin and other anticoagulants drug	Unknown; an effect on warfarin clearance (CYP2C9) is suggested by lab data but not shown in people.	Potentially serious because warfarin's safe range is narrow; several case reports of INR rise with bleeding.	Case report Low certainty ^{24 30 25 1}	Do not combine goji juice, tea, wine or large amounts of fruit with warfarin unless your doctor or anticoagulation clinic knows and checks your INR.
Drugs cleared by CYP2C9, 2C19 or 3A4 (many common medicines) drug	Goji juice blocked most CYP enzymes in test tubes; ethanol extract blocked CYP2C9 and 2C19 over 90%. Memorial Sloan Kettering also says a lycium extract may induce CYP3A4 through the pregnane X receptor.	Unknown. Lab only; clinical relevance still to be determined.	Laboratory research Very low certainty ^{18 1}	Ask a pharmacist before using goji products regularly with medicines that have narrow safe ranges.
Diabetes medicines drug	Pooled trials show lower fasting glucose, so effects could add together.	Theoretical; no case report of low blood sugar was found.	Pharmacological theory Very low certainty ^{14 10}	Tell your doctor if you eat goji regularly; monitor sugar as advised.
Blood pressure medicines drug	Pooled trials show no change in blood pressure for the fruit; the traditional blood-pressure use belongs to the root bark.	No interaction signal found for the fruit.	Pharmacological theory Very low certainty ^{27 22}	No specific advice found; mention goji to your doctor.
Nightshade/plant-food allergy (tomato, peach) condition	Goji is in the Solanaceae family and shares lipid transfer protein with other plant foods.	Cross-reactive allergy reported.	Case series Low certainty ^{19 16 1}	Avoid if you have LTP allergy; ask an allergist.

Who should check first 3

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Taking warfarin or other anticoagulants	Avoid unless the prescriber agrees and monitors INR.	Case report ^{24 30 1}
Lipid transfer protein (LTP) food allergy, or a prior allergic reaction to goji	Avoid; see an allergist.	Case series ^{16 1}
Pregnancy and breastfeeding	No safety data from the sources read. Traditional texts are often cited as advising caution, but that was NOT verified here. Ask a doctor or midwife.	Traditional use

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. Potterat 2010 found no signs of toxicity of the plant in its review but flagged drug interaction. Trials of up to 90 days reported no product-related adverse events.

Animal. Not covered by the abstracts read.

Human doses studied. Whole fruit 13.7 to 28 g a day for 28 to 90 days; juice 120 mL a day for 14 to 30 days; L. chinense extract 1,760 mg a day for 12 weeks.

High dose or long term signals. Zhang 2015 says large amounts (more than 6 to 12 g of fruit) can strengthen warfarin.

Overdose response. Not found.

Genotoxicity. Not covered in the abstracts read.

Toxic plant parts. Not identified in the sources read. The ripe fruit is the traditionally eaten part; root bark is a separate herb.

Quality varies by origin and processing. Pesticide residue is described as the main barrier to exporting Chinese wolfberry. A Polish market comparison found the highest microbial counts in goji sold in Poland. Sulfite preservative content was not found in the sources read.

Pesticide residue. Authors of a spray study say pesticide residue is the main technical barrier to exporting Chinese wolfberry; the study did not measure shop products. ¹²

Microbial contamination. Dried goji sold in Poland had microbial counts above 10^6 CFU/g, higher than naturally dried Ningxia fruit. ²³

Sulfites. Not found in the sources read.

Body	Action	Date
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (United States)	Herb page: warfarin and LTP allergy under 'do not take if'; says safety and efficacy for chronic disease are not established. source	2021
NCCIH (US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health) (United States)	No goji page found. source

When to get medical help

Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheeze, or fainting after eating goji (possible anaphylaxis): call emergency services.
Nosebleeds, black or bloody stools, unusual bruising, or bleeding gums while taking warfarin and goji.
Itchy rash on sun-exposed skin after starting goji.

Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is goji berry?

The ripe red fruit of Lycium barbarum, also called wolfberry or gou qi zi. It is a member of the nightshade family. The root bark (Lycii cortex) is a different traditional herb.

^{4 22}

Can goji berries improve eyesight or prevent macular degeneration?

Not shown. Small trials in healthy people found higher zeaxanthin in the blood and some signs of better macular pigment, but no trial tested people with macular degeneration or measured vision.

^{11 9 17 20}

Does goji juice reduce tiredness?

Two short trials of one branded juice found people rated fatigue lower. They were small, self-rated and from the juice maker's research group, so the result is weak.

^{5 6}

Does goji help the immune system or vaccines?

One trial found higher lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgG with a branded juice. No trial of vaccine response or fewer infections was found.

^{6 1}

Can goji lower blood sugar?

Pooled trials found a small drop in fasting glucose, but the evidence is limited. Goji does not replace diabetes treatment, and people on diabetes medicines should tell their doctor.

^{14 10 1}

Is it safe to eat goji with warfarin?

No, not without medical advice. Several case reports describe a raised INR and bleeding after goji juice, tea or wine in people taking warfarin. Ask your prescriber or anticoagulation clinic first.

^{24 30 25 1}

Can goji cause an allergic reaction?

Yes. Anaphylaxis has been reported. People with lipid transfer protein (LTP) food allergy, for example to peach, are at higher risk, and goji can cross-react with tomato.

^{19 16 28 1}

Does goji make skin sensitive to sun?

One case report describes sun sensitivity that came back when goji was eaten again. It is not known how often this happens.

¹³

Is goji safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

No safety data were found in the sources read. Traditional cautions are often mentioned but could not be verified. Ask a doctor or midwife.

Does goji affect other medicines?

In test tubes, goji juice blocked several liver enzymes that clear drugs. Whether this happens in people is not known, so ask a pharmacist if you take medicines with a narrow safe range.

^{18 1}

Are goji berries contaminated with pesticides or sulfites?

Authors say pesticide residue is the main barrier to exporting Chinese wolfberry, and one study found higher microbe counts in goji sold in Poland. Sulfite content was not found in the sources read. Choose sellers that name the species and origin.

^{12 23}

Is goji approved or regulated?

The US NCCIH has no goji page that we could find. A search summary says the EU Novel Food Catalogue treats goji as not novel, but we did not open the entry. No EFSA opinion or EMA herbal monograph was found. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.

^{2 3}

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the original sources.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We searched PubMed, read every abstract directly, checked taxonomy through GBIF and read the Memorial Sloan Kettering herb page. NCCIH had no goji page; EFSA, EMA/HMPC, LiverTox and LactMed entries were not found, and the EU Novel Food Catalogue was not opened. This is stated where it matters.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Several trials used a commercial goji juice; funding was not stated in the abstracts.

Sources 31

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

. Lycium (About Herbs), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. . 2021. (full-text)
. NCCIH goji page (checked, not found). . 2026. (not-found)
. EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for goji berry (search snippet only). . 2026. (summary-only)
. GBIF species match: Lycium barbarum L. (key 2928835) and Lycium chinense Mill. (key 2928809). . 2026. (full-text)
Amagase H, Nance DM. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi. J Altern Complement Med. 2008. PMID 18447631. DOI 10.1089/acm.2008.0004. (abstract)
Amagase H, Sun B, Nance DM. Immunomodulatory effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum fruit juice in Chinese older healthy human subjects. J Med Food. 2009. PMID 19857084. DOI 10.1089/jmf.2008.0300. (abstract)
Amagase H, Sun B, Borek C. Lycium barbarum (goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant biomarkers in serum of healthy adults. Nutr Res. 2009. PMID 19185773. DOI 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.11.005. (abstract)
Amagase H, Nance DM. Lycium barbarum increases caloric expenditure and decreases waist circumference in healthy overweight men and women: pilot study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2011. PMID 22081616. DOI 10.1080/07315724.2011.10719973. (abstract)
Bucheli P, Vidal K, Shen L, et al.. Goji berry effects on macular characteristics and plasma antioxidant levels. Optom Vis Sci. 2011. PMID 21169874. DOI 10.1097/OPX.0b013e318205a18f. (abstract)
Cai H, Liu F, Zuo P, et al.. Practical Application of Antidiabetic Efficacy of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Med Chem. 2015. PMID 25381995. DOI 10.2174/1573406410666141110153858. (abstract)
Cheng CY, Chung WY, Szeto YT, Benzie IF. Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response to Fructus barbarum L. (wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation trial. Br J Nutr. 2005. PMID 15705234. DOI 10.1079/bjn20041284. (abstract)
Ding L, Zhou X, Liang X, et al.. Achieving High Efficacy and Low Safety Risk by Balancing Pesticide Deposition on Leaves and Fruits of Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.). ACS Omega. 2023. PMID 37125088. DOI 10.1021/acsomega.3c00581. (abstract)
Gomez-Bernal S, Rodriguez-Pazos L, Martinez FJ, et al.. Systemic photosensitivity due to Goji berries. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2011. PMID 21950628. DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00603.x. (abstract)
Guo XF, Li ZH, Cai H, et al.. The effects of Lycium barbarum L. on cardiometabolic risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food Funct. 2017. PMID 28401234. DOI 10.1039/c7fo00183e. (abstract)
Kwok SS, Bu Y, Lo AC, et al.. A Systematic Review of Potential Therapeutic Use of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides in Disease. Biomed Res Int. 2019. PMID 30891458. DOI 10.1155/2019/4615745. (abstract)
Larramendi CH, Garcia-Abujeta JL, Vicario S, et al.. Goji berries (Lycium barbarum): risk of allergic reactions in individuals with food allergy. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2012. PMID 23101309. (abstract)
Li X, Holt RR, Keen CL, et al.. Goji Berry Intake Increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 34959963. DOI 10.3390/nu13124409. (abstract)
Liu R, Tam TW, Mao J, et al.. In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes. J Complement Integr Med. 2016. PMID 27352447. DOI 10.1515/jcim-2015-0038. (abstract)
Monzon Ballarin S, Lopez-Matas MA, Saenz Abad D, et al.. Anaphylaxis associated with the ingestion of Goji berries (Lycium barbarum). J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2011. PMID 22312943. (abstract)
Neelam K, Dey S, Sim R, et al.. Fructus lycii: A Natural Dietary Supplement for Amelioration of Retinal Diseases. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 33467087. DOI 10.3390/nu13010246. (abstract)
Oh MR, Jung SJ, Chae SW, et al.. Lycium chinense Miller fruit extract lowers liver enzyme levels in subjects with mild hepatic dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur J Nutr. 2023. PMID 36629892. DOI 10.1007/s00394-022-03075-8. (abstract)
Potterat O. Goji (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense): Phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety in the perspective of traditional uses and recent popularity. Planta Med. 2010. PMID 19844860. DOI 10.1055/s-0029-1186218. (abstract)
Rajkowska K, Otlewska A, Broncel N, et al.. Microbial Diversity and Bioactive Compounds in Dried Lycium barbarum Fruits (Goji): A Comparative Study. Molecules. 2023. PMID 37241797. DOI 10.3390/molecules28104058. (abstract)
Rivera CA, Ferro CL, Bursua AJ, Gerber BS. Probable interaction between Lycium barbarum (goji) and warfarin. Pharmacotherapy. 2012. PMID 22392461. DOI 10.1002/j.1875-9114.2012.01018.x. (abstract)
Tan CSS, Lee SWH. Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2021. PMID 32478963. DOI 10.1111/bcp.14404. (abstract)
Toh DWK, Xia X, Sutanto CN, et al.. Enhancing the cardiovascular protective effects of a healthy dietary pattern with wolfberry (Lycium barbarum): A randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021. PMID 33964853. DOI 10.1093/ajcn/nqab062. (abstract)
Toh DWK, Low JHM, Kim JE. Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with wolfberry consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Nutr. 2022. PMID 34839399. DOI 10.1007/s00394-021-02750-6. (abstract)
Uasuf CG, De Angelis E, Guagnano R, et al.. Emerging Allergens in Goji Berry Superfruit: The Identification of New IgE Binding Proteins towards Allergic Patients' Sera. Biomolecules. 2020. PMID 32365614. DOI 10.3390/biom10050689. (abstract)
Zeng X, Zhao W, Wang S, et al.. L. barbarum supplementation for lipid profiles in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023. PMID 37773857. DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000034952. (abstract)
Zhang J, Tian L, Xie B. Bleeding due to a probable interaction between warfarin and Gouqizi (Lycium Barbarum L.). Toxicol Rep. 2015. PMID 28962463. DOI 10.1016/j.toxrep.2015.08.011. (abstract)
Zhou B, Xia H, Yang L, et al.. The Effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide on the Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2022. PMID 34213407. DOI 10.1080/07315724.2021.1925996. (abstract)

Where to buy

Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:

The plant part and the extract type or ratio on the label
A standardized amount of the active compounds, where relevant
A third-party testing mark (USP, NSF or ConsumerLab)
Interactions: ask a pharmacist if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a medical condition

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.

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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.