✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full Goji Berry evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ Patient on warfarin consuming goji berries — multiple case reports of INR elevation [1]
⚠ Patient paying premium for goji as 'superfood' — unique value is zeaxanthin, not generic antioxidant [1]
⚠ Patient expecting cancer prevention — preclinical only; no human trials [1]
⚠ Patient with nightshade sensitivity — goji is Solanaceae family [1]
🥗 Food first — build your daily Typical 15–30 g dried / 500 mg extract
Check the foods you regularly eat — the bar fills toward your daily target.
Dried goji berries (30 g)15 mg zeaxanthin (approximate)
Goji berry juice (120 mL)10 mg zeaxanthin (approximate)
Goji berry tea (1 cup)5 mg zeaxanthin (approximate)
Check your regular foods above
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
INR (if on warfarin)
INR (if on warfarin)
Reference range / target
Therapeutic range
Therapeutic range
Multiple case reports of interaction [1].
Full lab monitoring ↓⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Goji berry's unique value is as the richest dietary zeaxanthin source — with 1 RCT showing increased macular pigment density. The warfarin interaction is clinically significant (multiple case reports). Beyond zeaxanthin, the 'superfood' claims are modest — similar antioxidant capacity to other berries. LBP polysaccharides are the main immunoactive component [1] [2].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
Traditional food in Chinese pregnancy diets. High betaine content. Concentrated extracts not studied [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Safe as food for children. No formal pediatric studies for extracts [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: With meals or as snack [1].
💊 With food: Fat enhances carotenoid/zeaxanthin absorption [1].
🚫 Avoid: Concurrent warfarin use without INR monitoring [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Dried goji berries (whole)', 'food', '15–30 g/day (a small handful). Eaten as snack, added to oatmeal, trail mix, soups [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Goji berry juice', 'convenient', '30–120 mL/day. GoChi® juice used in several RCTs [2].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Goji berry extract (capsules)', 'concentrated', '500–2,000 mg/day standardized to LBP content [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Goji berry powder', 'versatile', 'Added to smoothies. 5–15 g/day [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Are goji berries worth the price? ▼
For zeaxanthin delivery (eye health), goji berries are uniquely potent — the richest dietary source. For general 'superfood' antioxidant claims, they're not dramatically superior to other berries (blueberries, açaí). The premium price ($15–30/lb dried) is justified primarily if you value the zeaxanthin/macular pigment benefit [1] [2].
Can I eat goji berries on warfarin? ▼
Use extreme caution. Multiple case reports document elevated INR and bleeding in warfarin patients consuming goji berries. Even moderate dietary amounts may interact. If you're on warfarin and want to consume goji berries, do so consistently (same amount daily) and have your INR checked more frequently [1].
Are goji berries safe to eat every day? ▼
Yes, for people not on warfarin. They are a traditional daily food in China and have been consumed for centuries. Typical intake of 15–30 g/day dried berries is well-tolerated [1].
What is GoChi® juice? ▼
GoChi® is a standardized goji berry juice used in several clinical trials. It provides standardized LBP (polysaccharide) content. Some commercial goji juices are diluted or blended with cheaper juices — GoChi® ensures consistent dosing [2].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
Zeaxanthin content: goji berries are the richest known dietary source. Zeaxanthin is a critical macular pigment that protects against blue light and oxidative damage [1]. HIGH
Moderate
Macular pigment optical density: 1 RCT found 15 g/day dried goji berries for 90 days significantly increased macular pigment in healthy elderly subjects [2]. Subjective well-being: 2 RCTs of GoChi® juice (120 mL/day × 14–30 days) improved self-reported energy, sleep quality, and well-being scores vs placebo [2]. Immune markers: 1 RCT showed increased lymphocyte count and IL-2 levels [2]. Antioxidant: multiple studies show reduced oxidative stress markers (MDA, 8-iso-PGF2α) [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
Anti-aging: LBP activates telomerase in vitro; no human lifespan/aging RCTs [1]. Cancer: preclinical immunostimulatory and cytotoxic data; no clinical trials [1]. Neuroprotection: animal data for Alzheimer's; no human evidence [1]. Diabetes: 1 small RCT with mixed results [1]. Fertility: traditional TCM use; 1 animal study [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Concurrent warfarin — case reports of raised INR/bleeding (important)
Relative
⚠ Diabetes and antihypertensives — additive lowering
⚠ May interact with CYP2C9-metabolized drugs
⚠ Pregnancy — avoid medicinal amounts
🚩 Red flags
● Warfarin patient consuming goji — INR monitoring critical [1]
● Patient with nightshade sensitivity consuming goji berries — Solanaceae family [1]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
Warfarin Major
Mechanism: Possible CYP2C9 inhibition or vitamin K pathway interference [1].
Effect: Elevated INR, bleeding risk. Multiple case reports [1].
Action: Avoid or keep intake consistent + frequent INR monitoring [1].
Supplement synergies
Lutein · 15 g goji + 10 mg lutein
Complementary macular pigments: goji (zeaxanthin) + lutein. Both deposit in the macula [1].
Complementary macular pigments: goji (zeaxanthin) + lutein. Both deposit in the macula [1].
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) · Standard doses
DHA supports retinal structure; zeaxanthin protects macula. Complementary eye health [1].
DHA supports retinal structure; zeaxanthin protects macula. Complementary eye health [1].
7 Regulatory
China: Traditional food and TCM medicine. Ningxia province is the primary production region. Regulated as both food and medicine [1].
European Union: Novel food assessment not required (historical use). Available as food and supplement [1].
United States (FDA): Available as food and dietary supplement. No FDA-approved health claims [1].
8 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Goji Berry — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/goji-berry/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Goji Berry — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/goji-berry/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: April 2027
References: 4 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Goji Berry — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/goji-berry/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG