A Guide To Berberine: Benefits And Considerations

In this article, you’ll find:

• The benefits of berberine
• Is there a downside to taking berberine

Natural medicines derived from plants have long been used to support health and wellbeing. One such ingredient is berberine, a naturally occurring compound that’s found in a number of plants, including barberry. This powerful plant extract has traditionally been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and may help with¹:  

• Reducing inflammation
• Providing antioxidants to protect cells from damage
• Supporting heart health
• Improving energy

Let’s take a closer look at some of the main benefits of berberine and how it can be a powerful addition to your supplement routine. 

The benefits of berberine

There’s a reason why berberine has become increasingly popular. This powerful compound has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which may protect your body’s cells from damage, support healthy blood vessel function, improve energy use and support heart health¹. 

 Some other benefits include: 

• Helping to maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol²
• Aiding abdominal fat loss³ 
• Helping to balance gut bacteria³ 

Let’s take a closer look at how berberine does all of this.

How berberine may help with blood sugar balance

Many people take berberine to help support healthy blood sugar. Some studies have shown it improves how your body responds to insulin⁴, and helping keep your energy stable throughout the day.

Research suggests that berberine may help glucose move into the cells, assist your body in breaking down sugars inside cells and decrease sugar production in the liver. By improving how the body responds to glucose, berberine can help maintain healthy blood sugar throughout the day. 

Another key mechanism that berberine uses to help maintain healthy blood sugar is how it interacts with an enzyme called AMPK (Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase). AMPK plays a key role in helping to regulate energy levels and metabolism⁵. 

Can berberine support gut health?

A healthy gut supports everything from your general health to reducing inflammation⁶. Research shows berberine may promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria⁶ and enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production⁷ — key for colon health and inflammation control. 

Berberine and metabolism: What the research says

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? Like any supplement, berberine isn’t right for everyone, and may interact with certain medications or cause digestive problems³. This is why it’s important to always speak with a doctor or healthcare provider before altering your supplement intake, berberine or otherwise. 

Does berberine have side effects?

Some people may experience mild side effects of berberine³. It may cause an upset stomach or digestive issues⁹. Berberine may also interact with certain medications, including blood pressure and cholesterol drugs, increasing or decreasing their effects³. If you are concerned with side effects, have any pre-existing conditions or are using any medications it is recommended to seek the guidance of a medical professional before use³.

Does berberine bloating go away?

Yes, berberine bloating generally goes away with time³. It’s not something that impacts everyone, and if experienced, can sometimes be managed by health care professionals and adjusting the dose³. 

Is berberine bad for kidneys or liver?

Reviews of berberine have mshown it may inhibit a specific enzyme, which may impact some drugs commonly used by people with copromised liver or kidney function¹⁰. People with pre-existing conditions should always consult their healthcare professional⁹. 

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.