This Berry May Take Inches Off Your Waist

A preliminary study from researchers at the University of California at Irvine shows that goji berry juice may help slim waist lines and increase metabolic rate in overweight individuals.

The findings were published in October 2011 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

The small study included 8 overweight adults with an average BMI of 29 kg/m2 and an average age of 35. The researchers conducted two tests: one examined energy expenditure or metabolic rate and the other examined the effect of goji berry juice on the waistline.

In the first test, all of the participants were given 1 ounce, 2 ounces, and 4 ounces of goji berry juice and a placebo on separate occasions. Energy expenditure was measured 1 hour post intake. The researchers noted a 10% increase in energy expenditure when 4 ounces of the juice were consumed compared to when the placebo was consumed. No significant effect was seen at the lower doses.

In the second test, half of the participants received 4 ounces per day of goji berry juice for 14 days, while the other half received a placebo. At the end of two weeks, the goji berry juice group had a reduced waist circumference of 2.16 inches, whereas the placebo group showed a 0.35 inches reduction.

Goji berry juice has been used in Asian holistic medicine for thousands of years. It is believed to have a positive effect on vision, kidney and liver functioning, and to help reduce the effects of aging.