Goji Berries Side Effects: 6 Ways They May Cause Harm

Goji berries are small fruits that are rich in nutrients and are often used in many salads and oatmeal. These slightly sweet and tart fruits are native to the Tibetan Himalayan region and China.

The benefits of these tiny berries are numerous when you consume them in moderation, but with excess intake, there are also several side effects of goji berries. They may interact with certain drugs or cause an allergic reaction in some individuals (1).

Though they are known for their many benefits such as alleviating headaches and thyroid problems, you should be aware of the adverse effects they cause. In this article, we have discussed the possible side effects of goji berries. Keep reading to know more!

Know The Flip Side: Goji Berries

Short-Term Effects
Diarrhea, allergies, lower blood sugar levels, and low blood pressure.

Long-Term Effects
Aggravates the risk of miscarriage in pregnant individuals.

Drug Interactions
It may interact with blood pressure medication and enhance the effect of anticoagulant drugs and increase bleeding.

When To See A Doctor
If you experience excessive diarrhea, very low blood sugar levels (especially if you have diabetes), and bleeding from the vagina (especially if you are pregnant).

What Are The Side Effects Of Goji Berries?

1. May Cause Drug Interactions

Goji berries can interact with certain blood-thinning drugs, including warfarin. In a study, a 71-year-old woman took goji berry juice while she was on warfarin therapy. The woman experienced symptoms of bruising, rectal bleeding, and bleeding from the nose (2). Her symptoms improved once she stopped taking the juice.

Goji berry juice is a popular herbal drink that can increase bleeding. It interacts with and enhances the action of drugs like warfarin, which is an anticoagulantⁱ  XChemical substances or medications that help thin the blood and prolong the process of blood clotting. (3).

Trivia

Several exaggerated claims have been made about the health benefits of goji berries and the products derived from them. FDA placed two distributors of goji juice on notice in 2006 for their unproven therapeutic benefits.

2. May Lower Blood Sugar Way Too Much

Goji berries can lower blood sugar levels. They have been identified as possible treatment options to manage diabetes (4). But if you are already on diabetes medication, they may cause your blood sugar levels to decrease way too much.

There is no direct research stating that goji berries can cause hypoglycemiaⁱ  XA condition in which the blood sugar level (glucose) in the body drops below the standard range. . However, it is better to exercise caution. Please check with your doctor before consuming goji berries if you are undergoing diabetes treatment.

3. May Cause Allergies

Goji berries can cause anaphylaxis, a condition in which the body becomes hypersensitive (5). The lipid transfer proteins in the berries could be responsible for these reactions.

The symptoms of anaphylaxis include skin irritation like hivesⁱ  XRaised itchy rashes on the skin that are caused due to allergic reactions, medications, or stress. , airway obstruction, nausea, gastrointestinal issues, vomiting, and shock (6). Individuals at risk of food allergies must not consume goji berries until they get approval from their doctor.

4. May Cause Hypotension

Studies show that goji berries can help lower blood pressure levels (7). This may be good news, but it can cause problems if the individual is already on medications for treating high blood pressure.

Goji berries may enhance the action of medications that lower blood pressure. This can lead to hypotension or blood pressure levels plummeting to dangerously low levels.
Though there is no direct research to establish this, there is a possibility. If you are already on medication to treat hypertension, please check with your doctor before you consume goji berries.

5. May Lead To Diarrhea

In one case report, an individual who had consumed goji berries (goji berry tea) had experienced non-bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. The berries were found to modulate certain genes in the human body. Another possible reason for these side effects could be contamination (8).

Hence, if you have digestive issues, please check with your doctor before consuming goji berries.

6. May Cause Miscarriage

Goji berries contain betaine (9). Betaine could also be used to induce menstruation and abortion. The berries also have an estrogen-mimicking effect. Hence, they must not be used by pregnant or lactating women or anyone with diseases sensitive to estrogen (10).

Trivia

The FDA found high concentrations of insecticide and fungicide residues in some imported goji berries and their products, leading to their seizure.

Infographic: What Happens If You Eat Too Many Goji Berries?

Goji berries are consumed in different forms and are very beneficial if consumed correctly, but excess intake can cause some serious side effects. It is important to identify these side effects and get treated immediately.

Check out the infographic given below to learn about the side effects of Goji berries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are goji berries carcinogenic?

Eva De Angelis, a dietitian nutritionist, says, “Goji berries have always been commonly used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. They’ve also been labeled a superfood because of their high concentrations of bioactive compounds like polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Most of these compounds have the potential to be powerful allies in the fight against cancer.”

Do goji berries have heavy metals?

According to Eva De Angelis, a dietitian nutritionist, “Like any other crop, goji berry plants are treated with pesticides, which may be harmful to human health. Plus, some heavy metals could be absorbed by the plant, but the content is different for different areas of the world. Yet, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that this is the case, so eating goji berries does not pose a carcinogenic risk.”

Do goji berries make you sleepy?

Eva De Angelis says, “Goji berries have been linked to an improved sense of well-being and neurologic and psychological performance. Furthermore, because they are high in melatonin, the sleep hormone, they can improve our sleep quality with no side effects.” This may reduce the chance of insomnia.

How many goji berries should you eat a day?

You can eat 15 g of goji berries a day (8). This quantity is considered beneficial for eye health with 3 g of zeaxanthin in it. However, the safe daily limit of goji berries is not yet known.

Can those with diabetes eat goji berries?

Yes, they can. These berries can control blood sugar levels. From one study, goji berries have antidiabetic efficacy, which can balance glucose levels in the blood (11).

Can berries make you gain weight?

There is no evidence stating that berries may cause weight gain. Instead, they may decrease cholesterol levels in the body (12). This may help with weight loss.

Why is there a lead warning on goji berries?

Fresh and unprocessed goji berries grown in lead-free soil do not contain much lead and have no warning labels on their packaging. However, berries grown in soil with high levels of lead or berries with excessive lead added to them during the manufacturing and packaging process may have a warning label (if the quantity of lead exceeds permissible levels).

When is the best time to eat goji berries?

The best time to eat goji berries is before or after a workout session. The carbs in the berries can fuel your exercise or replenish your fuel stores effectively.

How do you remove lectins from goji berries?

Rinsing and soaking goji berries before cooking them at high temperatures can minimize their lectin content.

How much caffeine is in goji berries?

Goji berries do not contain caffeine. However, tea leaves, when included with goji berries to make tea, may impart their caffeine content to the final brew.

Is goji berry high in melatonin?

Yes, goji berries are high in melatonin – with its content ranging between 123.44 and 1600.48 ng/gFW.

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Madhu SharmaRD

Madhu Sharma is a member of the National Executive Committee of IDA. She has been associated for almost three decades with Pediatric Nutrition at PGI while serving in the Gastroenterology Department (20 years) and then the Advanced Pediatric Center (10 yrs) at PGIMER, Chandigarh. She is former Senior Dietitian from PGIMER, Chandigarh, retired in 2012.   Madhu has been closely...more

• Eva De AngelisRDN

  Eva De Angelis is a Dietitian Nutrionist from Argentina. She specializes in food and nutrition education, and healthy cooking. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from ISalud University, a postgraduate certificate in Nutrition, Gastronomy, and Health, a culinary diploma, and an intermediate-level technical degree in Food Science.
  
  Eva De Angelis is a Dietitian Nutrionist from Argentina. She specializes in food and nutrition education, and healthy cooking. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from ISalud University, a postgraduate certificate in Nutrition, Gastronomy, and Health, a culinary diploma, and an intermediate-level technical degree in Food Science.

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