What Is Berberine?

In this article, you’ll find:

• What does berberine do?
• What is berberine used for?
• What does berberine do for your body?
• What does berberine do for the brain?

Berberine is a naturally occurring compound that’s found in a number of plants, including barberry. Traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, berberine may offer a range of potential benefits and functions, such as:

• Supporting metabolic health and weight loss^1,2
• Assisting with blood sugar balance^1,2
• Promoting healthy gut bacteria^1,2
• Supporting healthy cholesterol levels¹ 

So, how exactly does it work? Let’s take a closer look at this powerful compound. 

What does berberine do?

While berberine has been linked to several potential health outcomes, it’s best known for how it relates to the body’s metabolism. Put simply, berberine activates a pathway called AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK for short³. You can think of AMPK as the body’s metabolic switch. When it’s on, your body uses energy more efficiently, helping your body to:

• Aid abdominal fat loss⁴
• Support healthy insulin function⁵
• Balance energy levels³

When it comes to insulin, berberine may help the movement of glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and into your cells. This helps to maintain healthy blood sugar⁴. Berberine may also assist with lowering the bad fats (lipids) in your blood while increasing the good fats⁴.

Berberine can also have benefits for your gut health, helping to support a healthy balance of gut bacteria, reduce inflammation and improve gut barrier function^3,4. A healthy gut has been linked to several essential bodily functions, from skin health and immunity to your mental wellbeing.

What is berberine used for?

Now that you’re familiar with what berberine does, it’s time to look at some of the ways it’s used.

• Maintaining healthy blood sugar: One of the most researched applications of berberine is its ability to regulate blood sugar levels^1,4.
• Supporting weight loss: Another key use of berberine is the potential for healthy weight management⁴. By activating AMPK, berberine may help regulate your appetite and slow the growth of fat cells^1,4.
• Cardiovascular System health: Maintaining healthy cholesterol
• Supporting gut health: Berberine can be used to balance gut bacteria. It also helps provide protection for your digestive system and ultimately improve the gut barrier⁴. 

What does berberine do for your body?

Berberine is best known for supporting healthy blood sugar levels and cholesterol^4,6, but its effects ripple out to other areas of your health too. Here’s how it might make a difference in how you feel, day to day.

• Berberine helps the body process sugar more efficiently, keeping your energy supply more stable throughout the day⁴. That means you’ll be less likely to suffer from energy dips.
• By supporting your gut microbiota^4,6, berberine may help ease symptoms like bloating, gas or irregular bowel movements. 
• Berberine has a natural anti-inflammatory effect and also supporst a healthy immune response⁶. So if joint pain, skin flare-ups or mood swings have ever been a problem for you, berberine may help to take the edge off.

Does berberine reduce belly fat?

There’s early evidence to suggest that berberine may support weight management, potentially through helping to support healthy blood sugar and metabolic function^4,7. That said, it’s important to note that berberine supplements are best paired with a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.  

Is berberine bad for kidneys?

As is the case with any new supplement, it’s important to consult your doctor before introducing it into your daily routine. This is especially important for individuals with kidney issues or those on existing medications.

What does berberine do to the brain?

The effects of berberine also extend to the mind, with several potential cognitive health impacts. Early research suggests berberine may offer potential neuroprotective benefits, like reduced oxidative stress and improved neurotransmitter function^8,9. Simply put, it means that berberine may help protect brain cells from free radical damage and support overall brain function. 

Keep in mind, these studies are in their early stages, with more human studies needed to confirm the effectiveness of berberine. 

Does berberine mess with hormones?

Berberine plays a key role in establishing metabolic balance. That said, there is the possibility for berberine to influence hormones, especially insulin and possibly even reproductive hormones, like testosterone or oestrogen¹⁰. However, current evidence is limited. 

Although one of the key benefits of berberine is linked to good gut health, some of the main side effects of berberine relate to digestive upset, like bloating, constipation, nausea and diarrhea^4,10. As always, be sure to check with your doctor before starting to take berberine supplements. 

Berberine is quickly gaining popularity as a wellness ingredient thanks to its numerous health benefits. From balancing gut bacteria to supporting healthy blood glucose and abdominal fat loss, there are plenty of benefits to this powerful compound. 

Explore the Swisse Wellness Hub for more articles on gut health and healthy minds. 

References:

1. Gunnars K. Berberine: A Powerful Supplement With Many Benefits [Internet]. Healthline. 2017. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/berberine-powerful-supplement
2. Indena. Berbevis® [Internet]. Indena. Available from: https://www.indena.com/product/berbevis/ 
3. 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.
4. Cleveland Clinic. What To Know About Berberine: Benefits, Uses and Side Effects [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/berberine-for-insulin-resistance-weight-loss 
5. 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
6. 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 
7. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Berberine and Weight Loss: What You Need To Know [Internet]. NCCIH. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/berberine-and-weight-loss-what-you-need-to-know 
8. Tian, E.; Sharma, G.; Dai, C. Neuroprotective Properties of Berberine: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Antioxidants 2023, 12, 1883. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12101883 
9. Sunhe YX, Zhang YH, Fu RJ, Xu DQ, Tang YP. Neuroprotective effect and preparation methods of berberine. Front Pharmacol. 2024 Sep 6;15:1429050. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1429050. PMID: 39309003; PMCID: PMC11412855.
10. Grassi A. PCOS and Berberine: What Women Should Know [Internet]. Verywell Health. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/pcos-and-berberine-4136324