A little berry with a big vitamin C punch

Pooja asks: What are goji berries and do they have any health benefits?

Wynnie says: Goji berries have been used by traditional herbalists in China, Tibet and India for more than 5,000 years. They are said to promote longevity, to boost the immune system, be a liver and kidney tonic and treat many health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and other age-related illnesses. In recent years, the goji has gained popularity as a superfood in the US and Britain, with celebrities like Madonna and Liz Hurley treating this berry as the new fountain of youth.

The goji is also known as the wolfberry. It's a red-orange berry that grows on a shrub native to China and can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried. It tastes slightly sweet and sour with a bitter aftertaste, and is used in herbal teas, juices, wines, food supplements and medicines.

Research has shown that eating berries like blueberries and raspberries has massive health benefits. Berries are packed with powerful antioxidants and plant compounds such as beta carotene and zeaxanthin that may help to prevent heart disease and some cancers.

Eating foods high in antioxidants may also slow the ageing process by minimising damage to cells from free radicals. If left unchecked, these can damage cell membranes and the genetic material (DNA) within the body's cells. Antioxidants can mop up free radicals before they launch their devastating attacks. Our bodies can make effective antioxidants and replace damaged cells, but an unhealthy lifestyle and diet can lead to excessive free radicals roaming out of control. Besides, our ability to produce antioxidants drops dramatically as we get older - then it's even more important that our diets contain sufficient amounts of antioxidant-rich foods.

But are goji berries a miracle food? Research on the health benefits of the goji is scant. We know that goji berries contain more vitamin C than an orange, and more beta carotene than carrots; and some test studies show that like other berries gojis contain antioxidants. But these early promising results don't necessarily mean the goji has the same benefits as other berries.