Goji Berry Extract for Hair: What the Research Shows

Goji berries are a popular antioxidant food, and the human research on them is real but not about hair. In trials, goji juice raised antioxidant markers in blood, and eating goji berries raised skin carotenoid levels. The only hair-related study we found was in mice, and it tested a mix of goji (boxthorn) and bergamot extracts.

Here's what each study found and what it means for your hair.

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Key Takeaways

• In a 30-day trial in 50 older adults, goji juice significantly raised blood levels of two antioxidant enzymes and lowered a marker of lipid damage versus placebo.
• In a 90-day pilot trial, eating goji berries raised skin carotenoids and macular pigment in healthy adults.
• A mouse study found that a topical extract of bergamot and boxthorn promoted hair growth, but it was a mix and not goji alone.
• We found no human trial of goji berry for hair.

What Is Goji Berry Extract?

Goji is the fruit of Lycium barbarum. It's eaten whole or taken as juice. Its key compounds include Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and zeaxanthin.

Does Goji Help Hair?

No human study says so. The idea comes from goji's antioxidant effects in the body, which are documented, and from an animal study. Treat goji as a nutritious food with unproven hair benefits.

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How To Add Goji To Your Diet

• Eat the berries. The skin-carotenoid trial used 28 g of berries five times a week.
• Juice or extract products vary in strength, so check the label.
• Be realistic. Judge any change over months, and see a doctor if you're losing hair.

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What The Research Shows

Antioxidant Markers In People

In a 30-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 50 healthy Chinese adults aged 55 to 72 drank 120 mL a day of a standardized goji juice or a placebo. Serum superoxide dismutase rose by 8.4% and glutathione peroxidase by 9.9% in the goji group, while malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation, fell by 8.7%. Differences from placebo were also significant (Amagase et al., 2009).

Goji Berries And Skin Carotenoids

In a randomized pilot trial, 27 adults aged 45 to 65 ate 28 g of goji berries or took a lutein and zeaxanthin supplement five times a week for 90 days. Macular pigment and skin carotenoids rose significantly in the goji berry group, but not in the supplement group (Li et al., 2021).

A Mouse Study Of Hair

In mice with shaved backs, a topical extract of bergamot and boxthorn applied for 42 days raised skin superoxide dismutase and collagen, lowered malondialdehyde and significantly promoted hair growth (Shao, 2003). It was an animal study of a two-plant extract. Human trials are needed.

See also: Lutein for Hair: What the Research Shows · Ginkgo Biloba for Hair: What the Research Shows

Frequently Asked Questions

Does goji berry help hair growth?

We found no human study. A mouse study found that a topical bergamot and boxthorn mix promoted hair growth.

Are goji berries a good antioxidant food?

In a 30-day trial, goji juice raised blood levels of antioxidant enzymes in healthy older adults.

Is goji berry safe?

Check with your doctor before taking goji extract if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, have a condition or take medication.

References

1. Amagase H, Sun B, Borek C. Lycium barbarum (goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant biomarkers in serum of healthy adults. Nutr Res. 2009. PubMed
2. Li X, Holt RR, Keen CL, et al. Goji Berry Intake Increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Nutrients. 2021. PubMed
3. Shao LX. [Effects of the extract from bergamot and boxthorn on the delay of skin aging and hair growth in mice]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003. PubMed