Goji Berry Juice May Help Trim Waistlines

Goji berries are already being regarded as being “superfruits” because of their nutrient density and antioxidant potency. A recent preliminary study, however, was the first to highlight goji’s unique effects on the body’s metabolic systems. The 14-day study published in The Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggests that a low calorie diet combined with consumption of a glass of goji juice daily could help dieters lose inches off the waistline!

Goji’sMetabolic Benefits on Waistlines

The pilot study demonstrating goji’s unique metabolic benefits included 8 participants averaging 35 years in age and an average body mass index (BMI) of 29kg/m2.Two studies were conducted on the effects of goji juice—one that gauged energy expenditure and the other that measured changes in waist circumference. In the first study, scientists evaluated the results of a single intake of goji juice under three different dosages (30 ml, 60 ml and 120 ml) against the placebo group. The participants given the highest dose (120 ml) showed a 10 percent increase in energy expenditure.

In the second study researchers observed changes in the waist circumference of participants given a daily dose of 120 ml of goji juice against a placebo group. After 14 days, those who drank goji juice lost 5.5 centimeters (2.16 inches) from their waistline; whereas the placebo group lost only 0.9 centimeters or 0.35 inches from their waist circumference. Scientists believe that goji increases the rate of metabolism thereby reducing waist circumference. There were no changes in weight loss or BMI reduction reported in either of these two studies.

While this study is preliminary, it offers great hope for those people watching their weight. Goji, being a natural ingredient, is extremely appealing to consumers as a weight loss ingredient. In addition to downsizing the waistline, goji offers consumers an impressive nutritive profile. Herbal ingredients work with the body’s natural systems to enhance weight loss and by bridging the nutrition gap for dieters and boosting energy levels, goji may offer added benefits.

Goji Nutrition

Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, are well-recognized for their rich nutritive content and mild tangy flavor.Originally from China, folklore has it that these bright orange-red berries impart life-enhancing properties and therefore have been consumed by natives for centuries. According to the database of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the total Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value of 100 grams of goji berries is 3290.

A striking list of nutrients composes the nutritive profile of goji berries:

• 11 essential elements
• 22 trace dietary minerals (including calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium)
• 18 amino acids
• 6 essential vitamins (including riboflavin, Vitamin C)
• 8 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharide
• 5 unsaturated fatty acids (including essential fatty acids, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols)
• 5 carotenoids (including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, xanthophyll)
• phenols associated with antioxidant properties

Goji Benefits

The distinct nutrients in goji berries provide a variety of health benefits:

• Protection for Eye Health.Because of its high zeaxanthin content, studies suggest that goji berries may offer protection against age-related eye problems.³
• Promotes Positive Moods. Consumption of goji juice was also seen to increase a general sense of well-being, improve neurologic/psychologic performance and gastrointestinal functions. It was also seen to promote better quality of sleep, reduce fatigue and stress.
• Neuroprotective Benefits. Natural extracts of goji berries exhibit anti-aging effects and may help protect against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.⁵
• Cardiovascular Protection. In rodents, L. barbarum polysaccharides have been demonstrated to promote cardiovascular health.⁶
• Energy Booster. Studies have demonstrated that consumption of L. Barbarum produce energy-stimulating effects using a different mechanism than that of caffeine.

How Big is the Obesity Problem?

Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. However, supplement companies can help play a strategic role in combating the battle of the bulge by offering a full range of supplement products that consumers can use to safely enhance their weight loss efforts. To assess how large the obesity problem is let’s take a look at some statistics.

In the United States, about two-thirds of the population is overweight and about one-third is clinically obese. During the twenty-year span between 1980 and 2000, obesity rates doubled for adults and children and tripled for adolescents.⁸ Today, about 70 percent adults and 32 percent school-age children and adolescents are either overweight or obese. Obesity crosses all barriers of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, and geographical boundaries. The consequences of obesity are staggering leading to the risk of multiple health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, osteoarthritis, reproductive problems, and disturbances in emotional and mental well-being.⁹

In such a scenario, a line of well-formulated weight loss supplements can help meet the needs of a large, but savvy consumer market that is seeking help.

Manufacturing Your Own Line of Goji Berry Supplements

Being able to differentiate your product amongst hundreds of others sitting on the shelf is what marketing is all about. With that said, Goji berry supplements have a unique advantage over other products – the potential to reduce inches off the waistline while maintaining a calorie-restrictivediet.

Nutraceutical companiesseeking to manufacture well-researched weight loss products can target multi-level consumer markets through the services of an experienced, GMP-certified contract supplement manufacturer. To help cut down on the amount of time it takes to manufacture your product line, request a free nutraceutical manufacturing quote from a reputable vitamin manufacturer that offers in-house manufacturing, graphic design and order fulfillment services.