What are berberine’s main benefits?

Evidence from clinical trials conducted in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) suggests that berberine’s glucose-lowering effect may be on par with some anti-diabetic drugs or standards of care.^[1][2] In people with metabolic disorders, limited research suggests that berberine may improve blood lipids and liver enzymes, and reduce body weight and fat mass.^[3] However, most of the available trials examining the effects of berberine on the aforementioned outcomes are of poor methodological quality.^[4] The best-quality clinical evidence on berberine’s effects to date are related to improvements in hormonal health in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to immune system response. Even these studies, however, warrant interpretation with a degree of caution due to the imprecision and inconsistency of their results.^[4] In those with PCOS, the evidence suggests that berberine may improve hormonal outcomes.^[1] In those with a variety of metabolic conditions (T2D, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease), berberine may be able to lower C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation.^[5] Finally, in those with a history of colorectal cancer, it was found that berberine could potentially reduce the recurrence rates of colorectal polyps.^[6]