Effect of Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi® Intake on Resting Metabolic Rate and Waist Circumference: Randomized, Placebo‐controlled, Double‐blind Clinical Studies

We examined the effects of consuming Lycium barbarum fruit juice (GoChi®, 120 ml/day) on morphometric parameters and resting metabolic rate (RMR) in healthy human adults in 2 separate randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical studies. GoChi juice is standardized for its main active constituents, Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, based on the amount of fresh berries traditionally used. Study‐1 Under free‐living conditions, subjects (average age=33.6, body mass index (BMI) =29.3kg/m 2 ) took either GoChi or placebo samples in a 30‐day intervention trial. Waist circumference in the placebo group (N=19) increased significantly by 2.2 cm on Day 30 at post‐intervention compared to pre‐intervention. GoChi group (N=20) maintained pre‐intervention measurements. Changes in waist circumference per caloric intake in GoChi group tended to be lower than placebo group. Body weight and other parameters were not significantly different between groups or pre‐ and post‐intervention. Study‐2 The effect of a single bout of consuming either GoChi or placebo control samples on RMR was investigated by hand‐held indirect calorimeter (average age=34.5, BMI=28.2 kg/m 2 ). GoChi intake (120 ml) (n=6) significantly increased RMR 53% more than placebo (n=10) at 2 hours after consumption. These results suggest that GoChi may have metabolic effects which are reflected in waist circumference.