The controversies surrounding goji berries
Goji berries are not a dangerous food: evidence shows they have been consumed for millennia in Asia, where they originate. However, the craze around these little red berries in the West has led to some misuses. They can be consumed safely as long as they are chosen carefully and not attributed miraculous properties.
The benefits of goji berries
A superfruit par excellence, “berry of long life,” “fruit of the smile,” “fruit of eternal youth”… Nicknames abound for the goji berry. This small fruit is part of traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used as a tonic and to stimulate the immune system.
Goji berries are indeed rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, and calcium, making them an ideal food to combat fatigue, preserve cells from aging, and maintain good eyesight.
Some also use it as a natural appetite suppressant in a diet plan. While some of these properties are proven, others are quite fanciful or have never been scientifically established: anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-cholesterol…
Are goji berries just like other red fruits?
Goji berries are indeed a small nutrient-rich food, but not more so than the small red fruits found in our regions. For instance, the blackberry is a fruit very rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can be found (for free!) in our countryside.
Strawberries and raspberries are also red fruits excellent for health. Blueberries help preserve vision, and prunes are as rich in fiber as goji berries. As for the highest antioxidant content, the award goes to… blueberries!
Therefore, goji berries are not essential to our diet. Especially since marketing professionals have ridden the wave of superfoods and often sell them at an exorbitant price. However, if you enjoy their tangy taste, you can certainly consume them by choosing carefully.
Choosing the right goji berries
It is important not to rush to any random goji berries. Indeed, some may contain pesticide residues in significant quantities.
Goji berries rich in pesticides
In 2018, a study by Test Achats magazine, the Belgian equivalent of 60 million consumers, revealed that many bags of goji berries sold in Belgium contained pesticide residues (10 out of 15 bags analyzed). More seriously, 4 of them contained levels above the maximum allowed limit in the European Union! Among these samples, both organic and non-organic goji berries were found.
The magazine highlights that the importing of goji berries has been the subject of multiple reports in the European Union in recent years. Some batches of goji berries from China have been recalled or not marketed due to the presence of carbofuran, amitraze (substances not authorized in the EU), or even nicotine.
To avoid certain dangers, prefer organic goji berries
So, why buy organic goji berries if there are still pesticide residues in organic products? Because they generally undergo fewer treatments to be better preserved.
Irradiation is one of the controversial treatments goji berries can undergo. This process, also known as ionization, is commonly used to better preserve foods that undergo long journeys. Irradiated foods are more appealing; however, they lose a large part of their nutritional value, and the long-term health effects of this little-known practice are unknown.
To avoid consuming irradiated goji berries, it is preferable to buy organic goji berries since the organic standards prohibit irradiation.
Buying organic goji berries also has another advantage: the processing methods are more artisanal. Organic goji berries are most often sun-dried, whereas conventional goji berries are generally industrially dehydrated in coal ovens. This process also causes the berries to lose some of their nutrients and their characteristic softness.
Finally, goji berries can also contain sulfites, which aim to preserve the color of dried berries. This is also the case for most dried fruits or wine, organic or not, available in the market. Some batches of goji berries have been controlled in Europe or the United States with sulfite levels above the authorized limits. These sulfites can be poorly tolerated by the body, or even potentially allergenic.
To consume or not to consume goji berries?
So, should we stop consuming goji berries? No, if we do it mindfully: avoid buying goji berries online, opt for organic goji berries, and buy them dried and natural. You can consume goji berries occasionally while alternating with other local red fruits that are cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and have equivalent health benefits.
With a bit of luck, you can also find organic French goji berries ! Producers sell fresh goji berries in the Southwest or in the Vercors.
As a reminder, no fruit is a miracle food: to lose weight or stay healthy, there’s nothing like a balanced diet, whether or not you add goji berries to your regime.
