Berberine Benefits, Side Effects And Considerations

A quick guide to berberine:

• Berberine is a plant-derived compound that has been studied for its potential effects on glucose metabolism, cholesterol and gut health.
• Many of its proposed metabolic effects are linked to its interaction with an enzyme called AMPK.
• Berberine can cause digestive side effects and may interact with certain medicines.
• Speak with a healthcare professional before taking berberine, particularly if you use medicines or have an existing health condition.

Natural medicines derived from plants have long been used to support health and wellbeing. One ingredient is berberine. This naturally occurring compound is found in several plants, including barberry. It has a history of use in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and is now studied for its potential effects on metabolic, cardiovascular and gut health¹.

This guide explores the potential benefits of berberine alongside the side effects and other considerations to know before adding it to your supplement routine. 

What are the benefits of berberine?

Berberine has attracted attention for its potential antioxidant activity. It has also been studied in relation to cardiovascular health¹.

Other areas of research include its possible role in maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol², as well as its relationship with gut bacteria and body composition³. 

Berberine and blood sugar metabolism 

Berberine is often discussed in relation to blood sugar because some studies suggest it may influence how the body responds to insulin⁴.

Researchers have also explored how berberine interacts with adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, better known as AMPK. This enzyme helps cells manage and use energy.

In a study involving rat skeletal muscle, berberine activated AMPK and increased glucose transport into muscle cells⁵. While this helps researchers understand how berberine may work, an animal study can’t tell us exactly what effect a supplement will have in people.

Berberine and gut health 

A healthy gut supports everything from your general health to reducing inflammation6. Your gut is home to a busy community of microorganisms, and keeping that community balanced plays a part in your digestive health.

Researchers are exploring how berberine may influence gut bacteria and inflammatory processes within the digestive system⁶. It has also been studied in relation to the production of short-chain fatty acids⁷, which are produced when certain gut bacteria ferment dietary fibre.

What the research says about berberine and metabolism 

Berberine is also often included in supplements aimed at metabolic wellness, often referred to as being a ‘metabolic master switch’3. One reason berberine is linked to healthy metabolic function is its role in activating AMPK - an enzyme that helps regulate how your body uses energy. By supporting this process, berberine may help metabolic efficiency3 and assist with maintaining healthy cholesterol8.Is there a downside to taking berberine?

Now we know about the benefits, what are the disadvantages of berberine, if any? Berberine may be plant-derived, but that doesn’t automatically make it suitable for everyone. It can cause digestive discomfort and may interact with certain medicines³.

Your experience can depend on your individual health, the amount you take and whether you use other supplements or medicines. Checking in with a doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional can help you make a more informed choice.

Does berberine have side effects?

Some people may experience mild side effects when taking berberine³. These can include an upset stomach and other digestive symptoms⁹.

Berberine may also interact with certain medicines and affect the way they work³. If you take prescription or over-the-counter medicine, speak with a healthcare professional before adding berberine to your routine.

It’s also worth seeking advice if:

• Digestive symptoms continue or become worse.
• You have an existing health condition.
• You take other supplements alongside berberine.
• You’re thinking about changing the amount you take.

Does berberine bloating go away?

Bloating may settle for some people, but there’s no set timeline and no guarantee that it will go away on its own³.

If bloating continues, becomes worse or arrives with other symptoms, don’t simply push through it. Speak with a healthcare professional before changing the amount you take or continuing to use the supplement.

Is berberine bad for kidneys or liver?

Berberine may affect an enzyme involved in the way the body processes certain medicines¹⁰. This can be particularly relevant for people with reduced kidney or liver function or those taking multiple medications⁹. People with pre-existing health conditions should always consult their healthcare professional before use.

Is berberine bad for thyroid?

There have been discussions about the potential impacts of certain herbal supplements, like berberine, and their influence on thyroid function and how medications interact with the supplements10. However, the data is currently limited, so it’s always best to seek professional medical advice if you are concerned or have an existing thyroid condition. 

In general, berberine has many benefits, but like any supplement, it should be taken specifically for your needs under the advice of a medical professional. 

Read more articles on the Swisse Wellness Hub for more guidance on support for inflammation, gut health and immune health. 

References:

1. Ai X, Yu P, Peng L, Luo L, Liu J, Li S, Lai X, Luan F, Meng X. Berberine: A Review of its Pharmacokinetics Properties and Therapeutic Potentials in Diverse Vascular Diseases. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Nov 3;12:762654. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.762654. PMID: 35370628; PMCID: PMC8964367.
2. Mana, T., Devi, O.B. & Singh, Y.D. Therapeutic Application of Berberine: a Consolidated Review. Curr. Pharmacol. Rep. 9, 329–340 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40495-023-00330-2
3. Cleveland Clinic. [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/berberine-for-insulin-resistance-weight-loss
4. Gunnars K. Berberine: A Powerful Supplement With Many Benefits [Internet]. Healthline. 2017. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/berberine-powerful-supplement 
5. Ma X, Egawa T, Kimura H, Karaike K, Masuda S, Iwanaka N, Hayashi T. Berberine-induced activation of 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and glucose transport in rat skeletal muscles. Metabolism. 2010 Nov;59(11):1619-27. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2010.03.009. Epub 2010 Apr 27. PMID: 20423742.
6. Jael Teresa de Jesús QV, Gálvez-Ruíz JC, Márquez Ibarra AA, Leyva-Peralta MA. Perspectives on Berberine and the Regulation of Gut Microbiota: As an Anti-Inflammatory Agent. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025 Jan 31;18(2):193. doi: 10.3390/ph18020193. PMID: 40006007; PMCID: PMC11858814.
7. Zhang L, Wu X, Yang R, Chen F, Liao Y, Zhu Z, Wu Z, Sun X, Wang L. Effects of Berberine on the Gastrointestinal Microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2021 Feb 19;10:588517. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.588517. PMID: 33680978; PMCID: PMC7933196.
8. Shi, L., Wang, W., Jing, C. et al. Berberine and health outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews. BMC Complement Med Ther 25, 147 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04872-4
9. Liu Y, Zhang L, Song H, Ji G. Update on berberine in nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:308134. doi: 10.1155/2013/308134. Epub 2013 Jun 17. PMID: 23843872; PMCID: PMC3703418.
10. Hermann R, von Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med. 2012 Sep;78(13):1458-77. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1315117. Epub 2012 Aug 1. PMID: 22855269.