Could a humble red berry hold the key to protecting your brain against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases? Goji berries, celebrated for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine, are now stealing the spotlight in modern neuroscience. Packed with unique compounds that shield neurons and enhance memory, these tiny berries might just be the ultimate brain food. Let’s explore how this ancient superfood can help keep your mind sharp for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Unique Brain Protection: Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) found in goji berries defend neurons from beta-amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and homocysteine toxicity, all linked to Alzheimer’s.
- Anti-Inflammatory Power: LBPs reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuron death, helping prevent brain damage and age-related decline.
- Versatile Superfood: Whether enjoyed as dried berries or juice, goji berries are easy to incorporate into your diet for a nutrient-packed brain boost.
What Are Goji Berries?
By now, you know fruits and vegetables are essential to maintain a healthy brain and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. However, not all fruits and vegetables are equal regarding their brain benefits. At first glance, goji berries, also known as wolfberries, might seem like more "superfood" hype. But they’re legitimate brain foods that contain potent phytochemicals that are not found in any other fruit.
A Rich Banquet of Brain-Loving Nutrients
Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over 3,000 years to treat various conditions and illnesses, from depression to digestion. Goji berries are a rich source of:- protein
- Vitamins A, C, B2
- Selenium
- Potassium
- Iron
- 18 amino acids (11 of these are essential amino acids, meaning the body cannot make them on its own)
- alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid
- Beta-carotene
- Zeaxanthin
- Lycopene
- Cryptoxanthin
- Lutein
- Polysaccharides1
Goji Berry Polysaccharides Can Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease
The vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are secondary to Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (called LBPs), the active phytochemical in goji berries that are believed to produce their unique benefits. Polysaccharides are molecular compounds consisting of carbohydrates bonded with glucose. Among the berries’ many qualities, a study published in the December 2014 issue of the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy singled out the ability of LBPs to protect neurons from damage caused by beta-amyloid plaques and glutamate excitotoxicity.2 Researchers conducted animal studies that found LBPs can reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and regenerate neurons in the hippocampus, thereby improving learning and memory. What works for mice doesn’t always work for humans, but this finding looks promising. Another study, published in Brain Research, found that pretreating neurons with an alkaline extract of LBPs significantly reduced neuron death caused by beta-amyloid plaques.3 The antioxidant properties of LBPs can also help prevent damage and cell death caused by inflammation.4Helps Combat a Major Marker of Aging
Yet another study shows that, in addition to preventing neuron damage from beta-amyloid plaques, LBPs can protect cortical neurons from the damage caused by homocysteine-induced toxicity. Homocysteine is a non-protein amino acid that, in high levels, can cause inflammation and damage the blood vessels. This increases the chance of stroke and blood clots. High homocysteine levels are recognized as an essential marker of aging and bad health. Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine have been shown to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Too much homocysteine in the blood kills healthy cells, causes DNA to fragment, and causes tau tangles to form and clump onto neurons. The animals treated with LBPs had significantly less neuron death and fewer tau tangles, prompting the scientists to conclude that LBPs have "the potential to be a disease-modifying agent for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease."5Polysaccharides Protect Against Strokes
The neuroprotective properties of LBPs also help to reduce the risk of stroke as well as mitigate the damage done by strokes and reperfusion injury. When oxygen-rich blood returns to tissue after a blockage, the sudden rush after starvation can cause inflammation and damage. This is known as reperfusion. However, researchers discovered that treating hippocampal neurons with LBP after a period of oxygen and glucose deprivation reduced the damage compared to untreated control groups.6Increasing Your Intake of Goji Berries
Goji berries are available everywhere these days, from specialty stores to online shops to big box retailers. Fresh berries are rare; they are almost always available in dried or juice form. Goji berry juice can be enjoyed straight or blended with other antioxidant-rich fruit juices like blueberry and pomegranate. You can eat dried berries as a snack or mixed with other dried fruits and nuts for a DIY trail mix. Like other fruits and vegetables, when buying goji berries, choose organic whenever possible.Summary
Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, are a nutritional powerhouse with unique brain-protective properties. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, their standout benefit lies in Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), which shield neurons from damage caused by beta-amyloid plaques, inflammation, and homocysteine toxicity—factors linked to Alzheimer’s and aging. Studies suggest LBPs may regenerate neurons, improve memory, and reduce stroke damage. Incorporating dried or juiced goji berries into your diet could be a simple yet powerful way to support brain health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes goji berries good for brain health?
Goji berries contain Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), powerful compounds that protect neurons from damage caused by Alzheimer’s-related plaques and inflammation.Can goji berries help prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
While more human studies are needed, research suggests that LBPs in goji berries may delay Alzheimer’s onset by protecting neurons and reducing harmful tau tangles.How can I incorporate goji berries into my diet?
Eat them dried as a snack, mix them with nuts for trail mix, or blend goji berry juice with other antioxidant-rich juices like pomegranate or blueberry.Are goji berries available fresh?
Fresh goji berries are rare; they’re typically sold dried or as juice. Choose organic products when possible.What other health benefits do goji berries offer?
Beyond brain health, goji berries support eye health, reduce inflammation, and combat oxidative stress, benefiting overall well-being.- Goji berry benefits: Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory superfruit.
- An evidence-based update on the pharmacological activities and possible molecular targets of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides.
- Characterizing the neuroprotective effects of alkaline extract of Lycium barbarum on β-amyloid peptide neurotoxicity.
- Lycium barbarum polysaccharides prevent memory and neurogenesis impairments in scopolamine-treated rats.
- Neuroprotective effects of polysaccharides from wolfberry, the fruits of Lycium barbarum, against homocysteine-induced toxicity in rat cortical neurons.
- Protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on neonatal rat primary cultured hippocampal neurons injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion.
