Barberry
Barberry, Berberis vulgaris, is a thorny shrub with red berries. Its root and bark contain the yellow alkaloid berberine.
Also listed as Berberis vulgaris, Berberis jacquinii, Berberis sanguinea, Barberry Extract
Does it improve blood sugar?
A 2020 review of seven trials with 452 adults found lower insulin levels, but no statistically significant improvement in fasting glucose, HbA1c or the HOMA-IR estimate of insulin resistance. Results varied substantially between studies. 1
A 2025 analysis of 11 studies with 718 participants found improvements in fasting glucose and several lipid measures, but again no significant HbA1c change. All studies were conducted in Iran, lasted three to twelve weeks and included different clinical groups and preparations. This leaves a promising but uneven picture, not a settled diabetes treatment. 2
What about blood pressure?
An earlier review pooled five trials with 350 participants over four to twelve weeks and found no significant blood-pressure reduction. The newer review reported reductions but rated that evidence as low certainty. These conflicting results make a dependable personal effect difficult to predict. 2 3
Earlier null results and newer positive, low-certainty estimates need to be considered together. 2 3
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Weight Management1 effect
Organ Function1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Cardiovascular1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Longevity2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Hair & Skin1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Immune Support1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Gut Health1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
3 publications are linked to Barberry, newest first.