Barberries can add flavor and plant compounds to a healthy diet, but their berberine content is concentrated mainly in roots and should not be treated like a supplement. Research on berberine suggests possible effects on blood sugar and cholesterol, while the evidence remains preliminary.
What do barberries contain?
Barberries are the edible, dark red fruits of a spiny shrub related to the Oregon grape and native to Europe and Asia. They grow wild from Canada to Pennsylvania, have an oblong shape and a distinctive acidic flavor, and usually ripen in late summer or autumn.
Berberine is a bitter yellow alkaloid found in several medicinal plants, including goldenseal, barberry and Oregon grape. It has a reported history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.
The important distinction is concentration. Berberine is concentrated in plant roots and rhizomes rather than in the fruit, so eating barberries is not equivalent to taking a concentrated berberine supplement. Barberry roots contain about 5% berberine by weight, according to Stephen Harrod Buhner’s Herbal Antibiotics.
What does research on berberine show?
Published research cited in the source article suggests that berberine supplements may lower LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. The compound has been studied for its potential effects on gut health, blood sugar regulation and cardiovascular function.
Proposed mechanisms include activation of AMPK, an enzyme involved in cellular energy regulation, and changes in pathways involving inflammation, blood sugar and cholesterol. Researchers have also examined whether berberine may improve insulin response and the liver’s processing of cholesterol.
Research cited by NaturalNews.com also reported that barberry juice reduced cardiovascular disease risk in diabetic patients. However, Lauri Wright, PhD, RDN, said most studies were small and short-term. She also said the research focused on berberine supplements rather than barberries eaten as food, so the findings should be interpreted cautiously.
What are the risks of berberine supplements?
According to Dara Ford, PhD, RD, documented side effects of berberine supplementation can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches and a decreased heart rate. Research on barberry has also reported positive and negative effects on the force of heart contractions, as well as antihypertensive effects.
In a human study of 12 patients with refractory congestive heart failure, higher intravenous doses of berberine reduced pulmonary vascular resistance and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. That study does not establish the same effects or doses for oral supplements or for barberries.
Ford said the greater concern involves interactions with prescription medicines. Berberine may amplify the effects of diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol drugs, potentially causing blood sugar to fall too low or creating other complications. Supplement potency and purity can also vary because berberine products are not regulated as pharmaceutical drugs, and no established dosing recommendations exist.
How can barberries fit into everyday meals?
Wright said barberries can contribute flavor, color and antioxidants to a healthy eating pattern. They are edible when ripe, although cooking can improve their flavor. The fruit is also used in Middle Eastern cuisine, including a Persian rice dish.
Barberries have also appeared in traditional remedies. European settlers introduced the shrub as a liver remedy, while American Indians used it in a formula for treating diarrhea. These historical uses do not show that the fruit treats cholesterol, diabetes or other health conditions on its own.
Wright cautioned that no single food or supplement dramatically lowers cholesterol or reverses diabetes by itself. Her recommended foundation was a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and healthy fats, combined with physical activity and any medication prescribed by a physician.
What to do now
- Use ripe barberries as a food ingredient, cooking them if their acidic texture or flavor suits the dish.
- Build meals around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and healthy fats rather than relying on one berry or supplement for cholesterol or blood sugar control.
- Do not assume that eating barberries provides the same dose as a berberine supplement.
- If a healthcare professional recommends a berberine supplement, ask about possible interactions with diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol medicines.
- For supplement use, Ford advised choosing products independently tested by organizations such as USP or NSF and consulting a healthcare professional first.
FAQ
Do barberries contain berberine?
Barberries contain berberine, but the compound is concentrated mainly in roots and rhizomes rather than in the fruit. Eating the berries is not equivalent to taking a concentrated berberine supplement.
Can berberine lower blood sugar or cholesterol?
Research cited in the source article suggests that berberine supplements may lower blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in people with Type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Most studies were small and short-term, and research focused on supplements rather than barberries as food.
Can berberine interact with medications?
Yes. Berberine may amplify the effects of diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol medicines, potentially lowering blood sugar too much or causing other complications. A healthcare professional should be consulted before supplementation.
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