I found some information on a goji liquid supplement, and, with all the positives being said about this product, I wonder if you have ever heard of it. Do you think that goji has any health benefits? It is supposed to boost the immune system. There are a few product lines based on this food. Which one do you think would be best?
– A.B.
Goji fruit is a type of berry known as the wolfberry Lycium barbarum and is a member of the tomato family, native to China. It is a fruit that matures in the sun and, as such, contains several nutrients, including antioxidant phytochemicals.
The same can be said for other fruits, berries, vegetables and even some grains. As a general rule, growing in the sun requires an arsenal of antioxidants for the plants (and their fruit) to survive.
There's no scientific evidence that goji products can cure cancer, boost the immune system, increase longevity or improve other bodily functions.
There is always a risk of misinformation with sites that promote new, exotic “natural” foods. Mangosteen, acai and noni are other exotics promoted with similar approaches. We get stories of indigenous peoples who have not suffered the ills of Western civilization, and some people assume that specific foods are responsible. These usually tend to be promotional statements put forth by people who stand to benefit from the sale of the products. There may even be the allure of making money selling the products while you get discounts on your own purchases.
We are open to persuasion by marketing techniques that target health situations that affect our lives. Rather than being skeptical and objective and asking “Why?” we get cajoled into asking, “Why not give it a try?” When you want to believe something because you hope it will help you or someone you love, you become an easy target.
I am not saying that these foods are worthless. It's simply that there's no evidence that you will be doing anything extra for your body that you couldn't accomplish by having some raspberries, cherries, pomegranate or a glass of orange juice.
Drink the juice and eat the berries if you enjoy them. In some cases, the taste of these natural substances can be unpleasant, and manufacturers have to sweeten things up with apple juice or other nonexotic sweeteners.
I have a question about blueberries. I was spending a pretty penny for dried blueberries to put on my cereal every morning until a friend told me that desiccated berries have no antioxidant value. Can you comment on this? What about the antioxidant value of frozen berries?
– R.L., Berkeley
Dried blueberries and other dried berries, such as cranberries, currents and cherries, are great, and they have considerable nutritive and antioxidant value. I don't know where your friend got his or her information. I add them to my cereal every morning. It's a great way to start the day.
Ed Blonz, Ph.D., is a nutritional scientist based in Northern California. General-interest questions about nutrition can be mailed to: Ed Blonz, Focus on Nutrition, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191, or sent via e-mail to UTFood@blonz.com.
