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Goji Berry Nutrition Information
There are many places on the Internet detailing the nutrition content of goji berries, but many of them reference the same source. Most of the information circulating comes supposedly from the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute, which in 1988 is said to have conducted detailed chemical analyses and nutritional composition studies of the dried Lycium fruit. It must be noted, however, that I was unable to find the original study. I was able to find goji berry nutrition information from various other sources, however. These sources are compared in a convenient manner below.According to sources citing the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute analysis, the fruit contains more beta carotene than carrots, and 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges (if this is the case, they would have 26g of vitamin C per 100g of actual berry - miscalculation when looking at analysis results perhaps?). The fruit also contains over 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, and substantial amounts of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. The analysis also apparently discovered the berries to contain essential fatty acids and to be an incredibly rich source of carotenoids (more than any other known food). Many of these findings have been verified by subsequent studies, although the vitamin C content claim is interesting to note and will be discussed momentarily.
Verifying the Nutrition Content
These nutrition facts have been found on various websites : 1/4 Cup
Serving (Approx. 1 oz, 28 g), Calories 90, Fat 0g, Fiber 4g, Protein
4g, Carbs 24g, Sugars 12g, Vitamin A 180% of DRI, Vitamin C 30%,
Calcium 9% and Iron 15%. Another source noted that the berries contain
11 mg of iron per 100 grams.
Before continuing it is important to note that different berries will contain different amounts of vitamins, etc. due to the fact that some may be of a different species. Where the berries are grown and what type of soil they are grown in are also important.
Another
company selling the berries, The Byron Bay Wheatgrass Company, listed
these as the average content per 100 grams:
Total Fat: .7g
Saturated Fat: 1.1g
Protein: 10.6g
Total Carbohydrate: 21g
Sugars: 17.3g
Sodium: 24mg
Energy Value: 346kj
Calcium: 112.5mg
Iron: 8.42mg
Crude Fibre: 7.7g
Vitamin C: 18.4g (this is also quite high - I am writing these companies)
Carotene: 7.83mg
Amino Acid: 8.48mg
Thiamin (Vitamin B1): 0.15mg
Polysaccharides: 46.5mg
Another company, DrugStore.com, lists this information for their sun
dried goji berries (note: sun drying may lose more nutrients than shade
drying):
| Nutrition Facts | ||
| Serving Size: | 28g | |
| Servings Per Container: | 188 | |
| Amount per Serving | ||
| Calories Total | 112 | |
| from Fat | 14 | |
| % Daily Value + | ||
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 84 mg | 3% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28 g | 9% |
| Dietary fiber | 4 g | 16% |
| Sugars | 4 g | 10% |
| Protein | 4 g | 8% |
| % Daily Value | ||
| Vitamin A | 170% | |
| Vitamin C | 20% | |
| Calcium | 6% | |
| Iron | 12% | |
| * Daily Value not established. |
| + Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. |
Note that the above chart is inconsistent with the previous amounts of vitamin C content. The daily recommended intake of vitamin C is around 75 to 200mg, depending on the person and depending on who you talk to about it. If 100g of goji berries contained 18 or 20g of vitamin C, a typical 25g serving of goji berries would give you somewhere around 5g of vitamin C, about 66 times more vitamin C than you need in a day. Plus, the berries would be 25% vitamin C. I will look into this more, but for now, it is best to be cautious about what you believe in all of the hype about goji berries out there. This is not to say that most of the information is not true. I also do not want to imply that it isn't worth it to purchase the berries or juice. It is, however, a shame that there are so many people distorting the truth out of greed and discrediting the industry, as it would be nice to see people take the plants more seriously and for the price of the berries to go down so that more people could benefit from them.
More Information
Many
sources note that the berry contains a full protein (as opposed to
partial proteins as in bread). Additionally, several other beneficial
compounds are reported to have been discovered in the analysis by the
Beijing Nutrition Research Institute:
Selenium and Germanium: These are well-known anti-cancer agents.
Beta Sitosterol: This anti-inflammatory agent has been found to lower cholesterol, and has been used to treat impotence and prostate enlargement.
Zeaxanthin and Lutine: Have been known to protect the eyes.
Betaine: Produces Choline in the liver, which helps detoxification processes there. It is also known to protect DNA, enhance memory, encourage muscle growth and protect against fatty liver disease.
Cyperone: Used in treatment of cervical cancer. Known to benefit blood pressure, heart and menstruation problems.
Solavetivone: An anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent.
Physalin: A compound known to boost the immune system. Also found effective in treating leukemia, cancer and hepatitis B.
One more note: the nutrients found in goji juice itself will vary from
what is found in the actual berries. The seeds of the berries are what
contain the essential fatty acids, for example, but these do not go
into the juice. Does this mean that actual berries are better? Not
necessarily, but it is something to consider. You will find more
information about the nutrient content of various juices sold by the
different companies in our Buying Goji Juice section.