Effect of Goji Berry Consumption on Biochemical Parameters

Healthy individuals have been divided into control and study groups. Individuals in both group have same characteristics such as age, gender, and body mass index (Control Group: 35 individuals - Study Group: 35 individuals). Both group were asked to maintain their normal diets. In addition, the study group consume 20 g of dried goji berry per day and did not consume any fruit with a similar antioxidant content during the 8 weeks study period. The control group was asked to exclude goji berry and similar fruits with high antioxidant content from their diet during the 8 weeks study period. The 20 g goji berry for per day was given weekly to each individual in a study group in transparent bags. At the beginning of the study and every 15 days, food consumption record for 3 consecutive days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend), a 3-day physical activity record, and anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, body composition analysis) were taken. Blood parameters (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglyceride, glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HbA1c) of individuals were taken at the beginning and the end of the study.

Inclusion criteria

• BMI between 20-25 kg/m²
• Female individuals are not in the period of lactation and menopause,
• Absence of any chronic or acute disease diagnosed by a physician,
• No allergies to Goji Berry
• Not consuming goji berry and similar fruits regularly for the last 1 month.
• Not being in the process of body weight loss
• Not doing strenuous physical activity
• Not taking any medication or antioxidant vitamin support
• Not smoking
• Not consuming alcohol (moderate alcohol consumption)

Exclusion criteria

Not meeting the criteria for inclusion in the study