Berberine Benefits: 11 Remarkable Health Benefits of This Supplement

Berberine is an herbally-derived supplement with a long list of health benefits. It is one of the few dietary supplements that has been shown to work, as well as prescription drugs in clinical trials. (1)

Let’s take a look at the potential health benefits that berberine has to offer. 

1. Lowers Blood Sugar

Clinical studies show that berberine can lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. (2)

Berberine can reduce glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c or hbA1c), decrease fasting blood glucose levels, lower postprandial glucose (blood sugar levels after a meal), and improve lipid metabolism (the ability to use fat for fuel). (3)

The effects of berberine on type 2 diabetes patients are comparable to those of metformin, a popular prescription diabetes medication).

Related: The Top GLP-1 Boosting Supplements

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 studies found that berberine is equally effective for improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar as prescription drugs metformin, glipizide, and rosiglitazone.

2. Reduces Insulin Resistance

Berberine helps reduce insulin resistance in many ways, including:

• It allows the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin to work better. (4)
• Increases insulin sensitivity. (5)
• Boosts glycolysis (sugar metabolism), which helps your body utilize sugar properly. (6)
• Decreases gluconeogenesis (sugar production in your liver). (7)
• Reduces absorption of sugar during digestion. (8)
• Raises the number of beneficial gut bacteria. (9)

In a three-month-long study of 116 people with diabetes, a gram per day of berberine lowered their fasting glucose by 20% to healthy normal levels, reduced their hbA1c by 12%, and improved their cholesterol and triglyceride levels. (10)

Berberine pairs well with healthy lifestyle changes and also works in conjunction with other drugs for lowering blood sugar. (11)

Related: Insulin Sensitivity: The Secret to Optimal Health

3. Decreases Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

A delicate balance exists in your body between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. 

An unhealthy diet or specific health issues, like insulin resistance, can increase ROS formation, tipping the balance towards an inflammatory state. Anti-inflammatory foods and plant compounds can help reduce inflammation in your body, protecting the cells of your brain, heart, and central nervous system.

Studies have shown berberine exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. (12) It is also proven to reduce inflammation, partly through the AMPK pathway and by improving the metabolism of glucose (sugar). (13)

Berberine also reduces inflammation by suppressing Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) and the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4 ). (14, 15)

These pathways control inflammation levels in your body by affecting cell survival, DNA transcription, and the production of inflammatory signaling chemicals called cytokines. 

Excessive inflammation and oxidative stress are related to many conditions, including: (16, 17, 18, 19)

• Diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Obesity
• Increased risk of cancer
• Heart disease
• Dementia

4. Could Help With Weight Loss

Berberine may be effective as a supplement for reducing body weight. Berberine can enhance weight loss by regulating insulin, adiponectin, and leptin. 

It also may inhibit the growth of fat cells and stimulate the conversion of white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue, which improves metabolism and fat-burning. (20, 21, 22, 23)

In one 12-week study of obese people, 500 milligrams of berberine taken three times daily caused an average of 5 pounds of weight loss. (24)

In a separate 12-week study of obese men and women with metabolic syndrome, 300 milligrams of berberine taken three times per day reduced their body mass index (BMI) from 31.5 to 27.4 (from “obese” to “overweight”). The participants also lost belly fat and experienced other related health benefits. 

5. Improves Heart Health

As with cancer, inflammation and insulin resistance increase the risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems. (25, 26) Berberine may help protect your heart by reducing inflammation in cardiac tissues. (27)

A study using both in vitro methods and human subjects concluded that berberine improved heart health and decreased heart injury by preventing cell death through the AMPK pathway. (28) It also reduced the participants’ blood levels of C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation.

In a separate study of 156 heart failure patients, 1.2 to 2 grams of berberine given daily for eight weeks improved their quality of life, strengthened their heart function, and reduced their risk of death. (29)

Berberine can help prevent heart failure by reducing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, decreasing diastolic blood pressure, and helping increase cardiac output. (30)

Berberine reduces inflammation in the endothelium, the smooth cells lining your veins and arteries.

In vitro evidence suggests that berberine may also prevent heart arrhythmias from occurring. (31)

Related: What is an MTHFR Gene Mutation and How to Get Tested

6. Lowers Blood Pressure

Some trials have shown berberine is safe and effective for lowering blood pressure.

Berberine’s effects on blood pressure and blood flow are likely due to increased bioavailability of nitric oxide (a molecule that relaxes blood vessels) and inhibition of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). (32)

Because type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol (hyperlipemia), and high blood pressure (hypertension) often occur together, some scientists have suggested that berberine could be an ideal first-line therapy to help with these issues, especially in patients who have difficulty affording expensive prescription drugs.

7. May Reduce Cholesterol

Berberine appears to be effective in treating dyslipidemia (the technical name for high levels of “bad” cholesterol). (33)

Two separate extensive reviews examining results from over 90 studies on human subjects found strong evidence for berberine’s ability to lower total cholesterol and other blood lipids, particularly LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides. (34, 35)

One way berberine improves cholesterol is by increasing the number of LDL receptors to control LDL cholesterol levels more effectively. It also reduces the liver’s synthesis of lipids (cholesterol and fat molecules).

8. Can Improve Gut Health

There are many ways that berberine supports the gut microbiome, resulting in significant benefits for gut health.

In traditional medicine, berberine has been used to relieve diarrhea. (36) Recent studies of berberine confirm that it has significant effects on gastrointestinal function and health and is therapeutically promising for gastroenteritis and inflammatory digestive issues.

Similar to other berberine benefits, its gut health enhancements occur partly by reducing inflammation. In rats, berberine restores gut health by reducing inflammation and regulating sugar metabolism.

In rats fed a diet designed to induce diabetes, berberine reversed adverse gut bacteria changes by increasing protective bacteria like Bifidobacterium and reducing levels of bacteria like E. coli.

Berberine has potential value in treating liver diseases by reshaping the gut microbiota. (37) This potential is seen especially in modulating the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria. 

Related: The Complete Leaky Gut Diet Guide: How To Heal Your Gut

9. Helps Eradicate Infections

Multiple studies show a positive correlation between berberine and the outcome of infections. 

In vitro and in vivo animal and human studies show that berberine improves outcomes and helps eradicate bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), H. pylori, Chlamydia, Hepatitis C, H1N1 influenza, and sepsis. (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)

10. Could Aid in Managing PCOS Symptoms

Berberine has shown potential in improving symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by helping regulate insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, and lipid levels. (44) It also provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which help mitigate other PCOS-related symptoms.

Its mechanisms include modulating glucose metabolism and reducing androgen levels, which may support weight management and improve fertility outcomes in PCOS patients.

Read Next: Keto and PCOS: How a Ketogenic Diet Helps Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

11. May Help Stabilize Mood

Preliminary evidence suggests that berberine could be a helpful supplement for people with depression. (45) Berberine may help with depression by increasing the production of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline — similar to how many prescription antidepressants work.

Berberine may reduce anxiety by regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play roles in mood stability. (46)

It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can support brain health by mitigating oxidative stress. This neuroprotective effect, combined with its ability to reduce overactive stress responses, contributes to its calming influence, making it potentially helpful for anxiety relief. 

People with depression are more likely to have elevated levels of inflammation in their bodies, and inflammation and oxidative stress may increase the symptoms of depression. (47) Since there is a link between depression and inflammation, by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, berberine might reduce the likelihood or severity of depression.

12. Might Positively Impact Neurodegenerative Conditions

At this point, it won’t surprise you to learn that dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s have an inflammation component to their formation and progression. (48)

Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation increase your odds of dementia and other neurological issues, which is why berberine can help improve your long-term risk factors for these conditions. (49) It also helps protect cells in your brain and nervous system from damage. (50, 51)

Berberine has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-amyloid properties, leading to neuroprotective effects for Alzheimer’s disease. (52) 

Berberine may help prevent the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and reduce neuroinflammation, both of which are associated with Alzheimer’s symptoms. Additionally, it supports mitochondrial function and enhances brain cell survival, potentially slowing cognitive decline. 

Berberine could support cognitive function and protect against neurodegeneration by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. (53) Berberine’s antioxidant effects may protect against oxidative stress linked to schizophrenia symptoms. By influencing the balance of neurotransmitters, it may also stabilize mood swings and improve symptoms of bipolar disorder.

13. Has Potential Anti-Cancer Effects

While no human cancer trials exist using berberine, one group of scientists researching berberine has called it “an epiphany against cancer.” (54)

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance are all linked to an increased risk of cancer, so it’s not surprising that berberine may help prevent the growth of cancerous cells.

Along with reducing cancer risk factors, berberine has specific activity against cancer cells. (55) It’s cytotoxic to cancer cells, meaning it targets cancer cells for destruction without harming healthy cells. (56)

Berberine inhibits cell proliferation (growth), which makes it harder for cancer cells to grow and spread. It also works to fight cancer by improving mitochondrial function. (57)

In vitro (human cell line) studies and in vivo animal studies indicate that berberine could be effective for breast cancer, gastric carcinoma, colorectal cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, and pancreatic cancer. (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)

It may also help with cancer cachexia, the wasting syndrome associated with cancer. (64)

How to Take Berberine 

In most of the studies mentioned in this article, participants took between 900 and 1500 milligrams of berberine orally per day. If you want to try berberine, consider taking 500 milligrams two to three times daily before meals with a glass of water.

Berberine powder is extremely bitter-tasting and can stain your hands and mouth yellow, so it’s usually recommended to take berberine capsules instead.

While berberine teas are available, there’s no added benefit from drinking berberine tea (unlike Gymnema Sylvestre), and it’s less convenient than pills.

Most trials showcasing berberine benefits take two to four months of usage, but a few studies use berberine for up to a year with no negative consequences.

If you want to use berberine to improve your insulin sensitivity, reduce your cholesterol, or lower your blood pressure, be sure to give it time to work and measure your results over time.

For fans of traditional Chinese medicine, Rhizoma coptidis (Huang Lian or coptis) is a berberine-containing herb with a long history of therapeutic use.

If you want to take berberine the traditional way, try 2 to 10 grams of Huang Lian powder or 15 to 60 milliliters of tincture a couple of times daily.

Related: How to Increase GLP-1 Naturally: Dietary + Lifestyle Strategies

Who Should Avoid This Supplement 

Berberine is remarkably safe, especially considering it performs as well as some prescription drugs. (65) Its toxicity is so low that there are numerous studies where no participants reported any side effects. (66)

The most common side effects of berberine are digestive issues. There have been reports of stomach pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence. In studies where these effects were reported, they were usually temporary. 

Because berberine lowers blood glucose, it has the potential to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you have diabetes or take insulin or other drugs for blood sugar control, speak to your doctor for medical advice before you take berberine. Though this is unlikely,  it could enhance the hypoglycemic effects of prescription diabetes drugs.

Berberine can inhibit CYP3A4 and other enzymes in your liver that metabolize certain drugs, which may cause drug interactions. When these enzymes are inhibited, the effects of medications like cyclosporin, lovastatin, clarithromycin, indinavir, sildenafil, and triazolam can be increased.

If you’re taking these or other drugs, ask your healthcare provider whether you can take berberine supplements safely or not.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, don’t take berberine. There’s no evidence that it’s safe for infants, so it’s best to play it safe. 

The Takeaway

Berberine is a powerful yet relatively safe supplement. Some of berberine’s benefits include beneficial effects on blood sugar control, inflammation, heart health, cholesterol, gut health, and perhaps even depression.

If you suffer from these issues, you should consider taking berberine.

If you’re currently healthy, berberine may be a good choice for protection against dementia, cardiovascular disease, and other problems associated with inflammation.

No one should just take a supplement without any reason. But if you’re looking for a highly effective health supplement with minimal risk, berberine should be at the top of your list, especially if you need to lose weight or have insulin resistance.

If you’re interested in losing weight on keto, check out our Keto Kickstart, an easy step-by-step guide with everything you need to start and stay on keto. 

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