Berberine: What Are Its Benefits?
Published on: Monday, February 10, 2025, Updated on: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine, berberine is a plant-derived alkaloid extracted from sources such as barberry (Berberis vulgaris). Today, this natural compound continues to be the subject of extensive research, particularly for its potential role in metabolic balance, including support for healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as liver function. Berberine is therefore included in certain food supplements designed to support these areas as part of a balanced lifestyle and healthy habits. Discover the essentials about berberine, including its origins, traditional uses, and important precautions for use.
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In brief
Berberine is a plant-based compound known for its beneficial effects on blood sugar regulation, lipid metabolism, and liver function support.
Its use is particularly relevant for people with blood sugar or metabolic disorders, with careful attention to dosage and how it is taken.
The article points out that berberine is not suitable for everyone, particularly during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and emphasizes that it is essential to seek medical advice before taking any supplement, especially when taking medication.
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Bibliography
ANSES opinion regarding “the safety of using plants containing berberine in the composition of dietary supplements”
Case 2018-SA-0095, August 1, 2019.
B. Lacroix, “Berberine: An Alternative to Pharmacological Treatments”
in The Newsletter of the European Institute of Physionutrition and Phytotherapy, No. 32.
Ai X et al. “Berberine: A Review of its Pharmacokinetic Properties and Therapeutic Potentials in Diverse Vascular Diseases”
in Front Pharmacol. 2021 Nov 3;12:762654.
Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug that works through a unique mechanism distinct from statins
Kong W. et al., Nature Medicine, 2004.
Berberine: New Perspectives for Old Remedies
Tillhon M. et al., Biochemical Pharmacology, 2012.
Pharmacokinetic studies of berberine and its metabolites
Feng X. et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015.
