Goji berries are said to have “eye-brightening” qualities according to practitioners of Chinese medicine and new research seems to confirm that pronouncement. Scientists at the University of California at Davis found small servings of dried goji berries improved eye health and could protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in older people and it is estimated to affect upwards of 200 million people worldwide, including more than 10 million in the U.S. It affects a person’s central field of vision and can make it difficult for people to read or recognize faces.
Researchers recruited a small sample of healthy participants between the ages of 45 and 65 to observe the effects of goji berry consumption on eye health. They found just one handful, about an ounce, of dried goji berries five days a week for three months increased the density of protective pigments in the eyes. At the same time, the study participants who consumed a commercial eye supplement did not experience the same increase.
An increase was seen in lutein and zeaxanthin which filter out harmful blue light and provide antioxidant protection. Researchers say lutein and zeaxanthin are like sunscreen for the eyes and are vital for protection as people age.
"The higher the lutein and zeaxanthin in your retina, the more protection you have," said lead study author Xiang Li. "Our study found that even in normal healthy eyes, these optical pigments can be increased with a small daily serving of goji berries."
Goji berries are commonly found on shrubby bushes in northwest China and are used in that country in soups, teas and also eaten dried as a snack like raisins.
Li researched the bioactive compounds in the berries and noticed high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin which are known to reduce the risk of AMD and other eye conditions. She said the form of those two nutrients are highly bioavailable in goji berries, which means they are readily absorbed and easily transferred from the digestive system so the body can use them.
Fellow researcher Glenn Yiu said there are many factors that contribute to the development of AMD such as genetics, age, environmental, smoking and diet but as of now there is no known therapy to help with early stages of AMD.
"Our study shows goji berries, which are a natural food source, can improve macular pigments of healthy participants beyond taking high-dose nutritional supplements," said Yiu. "The next step for our research will be to examine goji berries in patients with early-stage AMD."