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Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum; wolfberry)
An antioxidant berry rich in zeaxanthin. The cleanest signal is modest improvements in lipid/cardiovascular markers; eye and anti-ageing claims are mostly mechanistic, on a small evidence base.
What the evidence says
Most Goji Berries studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2006–2026.
Based on 51 studies · 5 meta-analyses · 14 RCTs
Confidence
High confidenceBy outcome
8 more outcomes with fewer studies not shown.
Several meta-analyses and reviews show modest improvements in lipid and cardiovascular markers plus subjective well-being, but the trials are mostly small and the eye/anti-ageing claims rest largely on mechanism and preclinical data.
18 randomised trials
89% were about Goji Berries in an audit of 18 of them
Every randomised or controlled trial of Goji Berries indexed in PubMed, not a hand-picked subset. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are deliberately excluded from this count: most of them cover many compounds at once, so counting them would inflate it.
PubMed · as of Sep 2026
5 trials ongoing or recruiting · 13 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
2 of the completed trials have posted results
Registered trials show research momentum for Goji Berries, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Oct 2026
Under EU law (Reg. 1924/2006), EFSA reviews whether a specific health claim for Goji Berries meets the evidence standard. These are independent regulatory decisions on claims — not studies, and never counted toward the evidence score above.
“Not authorised” means the specific claim wording did not meet the EU’s evidence standard — often a matter of dossier or phrasing, not proof of no effect. EFSA judges marketing claims and is kept separate from our study-based evidence score.
Source: EU Register of nutrition and health claims (European Commission / EFSA) · register snapshot Feb 2013
Goji berries (Lycium barbarum), also called wolfberry, are a nutrient-dense fruit rich in the carotenoid zeaxanthin (relevant to macular/eye health) and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (antioxidant, immune-modulating).
Meta-analyses and reviews suggest modest improvements in lipid and cardiovascular risk markers and subjective well-being, plus a plausible role in supporting macular pigment for eye health. The clinical evidence base is still early-to-moderate, with mostly small trials.
Goji is one of the richest food sources of zeaxanthin, which concentrates in the macula and filters blue light.
Lycium barbarum polysaccharides provide antioxidant and immune-modulating effects.
May modestly improve lipid markers and oxidative stress.
Avoid or monitor INR — reported interaction raising bleeding risk.
Limit to culinary amounts; concentrated extracts not well studied.
Case reports of goji raising INR/bleeding risk with warfarin — monitor. A grade for this interaction is held for clinical review and has not been validated, so no severity is given. The precaution still applies: ask a pharmacist about the exact supplement and medicine. Do not stop or change prescribed medicines based on this notice.
May add mildly to glucose/BP lowering — monitor.
Tip: Reduce amount
Tip: Avoid if allergic to nightshades
Goji Berries has an evidence score of 4.8/10 — emerging evidence based on 51 indexed studies, including 3 meta-analyses. An antioxidant berry rich in zeaxanthin. The cleanest signal is modest improvements in lipid/cardiovascular markers; eye and anti-ageing claims are mostly mechanistic, on a small evidence base. Representative study: PMID 34839399.
The commonly studied dose of Goji Berries is 15-45g dried berries daily, or ~150-300mg standardized Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) extract. These are typical label doses. The cited studies are reviews and do not state a trial dose. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
Timing is flexible for Goji Berries — consistent daily use matters more than the time of day. Eaten as dried fruit or taken as extract with food (zeaxanthin is fat-soluble, so a fat-containing meal aids absorption).
Goji Berries has a safety rating of "moderate". That is a category, not a measure of individual risk, and there are precautions worth knowing. Reported side effects include allergic reaction, mild GI upset. How often they occur is not established for all of them. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Use of warfarin (reported interaction); Allergy to goji/nightshade-family plants.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 51 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.