Researchers looked at 11 studies involving 718 people to see if barberry supplements could help with heart health and weight. Barberry is a small red berry rich in natural plant compounds. The results show that taking barberry supplements may help lower blood pressure, reduce weight slightly, improve cholesterol levels, and help control blood sugar. However, the improvements were modest—not dramatic. This suggests barberry could be a helpful addition to a healthy lifestyle, but it’s not a magic cure. More research is still needed to fully understand how well it works and who benefits most.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether taking barberry supplements could improve heart health markers and weight in adults, specifically looking at things like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight.
  • Who participated: 718 adults across 11 different research studies conducted between 2012 and 2023. The studies tested barberry supplements in people with various health conditions.
  • Key finding: Barberry supplements showed small but real improvements in several areas: people lost about 1.5 pounds on average, blood pressure dropped by about 10 points (systolic) and 11 points (diastolic), cholesterol decreased, and blood sugar control improved. However, changes in body mass index and long-term blood sugar markers were not significant.
  • What it means for you: Barberry supplements may help support heart and metabolic health as part of a healthy lifestyle, but the benefits are modest. It should not replace exercise, healthy eating, or prescribed medications. Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement, especially if you take medications.

The Research Details

This was a meta-analysis, which means researchers searched five major medical databases for all published studies about barberry and metabolic health. They found 11 high-quality studies (called randomized controlled trials) where some people took barberry supplements and others took a placebo (fake pill). The researchers then combined all the results to see the overall effect.

The studies they included tested barberry in different forms—powders, extracts, and capsules—at various doses and for different lengths of time. By combining all this data, they could get a clearer picture than any single study could provide.

The researchers used statistical methods to combine the results fairly, accounting for differences between studies. They also checked the quality of each study to make sure the evidence was reliable.

This approach matters because individual studies can sometimes give confusing or contradictory results. By combining many studies together, researchers can see the true overall effect more clearly. This meta-analysis approach is considered one of the strongest types of research evidence because it looks at all available data rather than just one study.

The studies included were all randomized controlled trials, which is the gold standard for testing whether something actually works. The researchers searched multiple databases to find all relevant studies, reducing the chance they missed important research. However, the studies varied in quality, and some were small. The improvements found were modest, which means they’re real but not huge. The confidence intervals (the ranges showing uncertainty) were fairly wide for some results, indicating some uncertainty remains.

What the Results Show

Barberry supplements helped reduce weight by about 1.5 pounds on average. This is a small amount, but it was consistent across studies. Blood pressure improvements were more noticeable—systolic pressure (the top number) dropped about 10 points, and diastolic pressure (the bottom number) dropped about 11 points. These are meaningful improvements that could help reduce heart disease risk.

Cholesterol levels improved in several ways. Total cholesterol dropped by about 18 points, the ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) dropped about 11 points, and triglycerides (another type of blood fat) dropped about 24 points. The ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) increased slightly by about 2.5 points. These changes suggest barberry may help protect heart health.

Blood sugar control also improved. Fasting blood sugar dropped about 17 points, and markers of insulin resistance improved, meaning the body was using insulin more efficiently. This is important because poor insulin control can lead to diabetes.

However, two measures didn’t show significant improvement: body mass index (BMI) and glycated hemoglobin (a measure of long-term blood sugar control). This suggests that while barberry may help with some aspects of metabolic health, it doesn’t work equally well for all measures.

The improvements in insulin levels and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were particularly interesting because they suggest barberry may help the body use insulin more effectively. This could be especially valuable for people at risk of diabetes. The triglyceride reduction was also notable, as high triglycerides are an independent risk factor for heart disease. The lack of significant change in BMI despite weight loss suggests that some of the weight loss may have been water weight or that the effect on body composition was small.

This research aligns with previous studies showing that polyphenols (plant compounds with antioxidant properties) can improve heart health markers. Barberry is rich in these compounds, particularly berberine. The findings are consistent with other research on polyphenol-rich foods improving cholesterol and blood pressure. However, this is one of the first comprehensive reviews combining all available evidence on barberry specifically, so it provides a clearer picture than previous individual studies.

The studies included varied in how much barberry they used, how long people took it, and who participated, which could affect results. Some studies were small, and the overall number of participants (718) is moderate for this type of analysis. The studies only lasted weeks to a few months, so we don’t know if benefits continue long-term. Most studies were short-term, so we can’t say whether barberry helps prevent disease over years. The quality of some studies was unclear, and publication bias (the tendency to publish positive results) may have affected the findings. Additionally, most participants were from specific populations, so results may not apply equally to everyone.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, barberry supplements may be worth considering as part of a comprehensive approach to heart and metabolic health, but with moderate confidence. The evidence is strongest for blood pressure and cholesterol improvements. However, barberry should never replace proven treatments like exercise, healthy eating, weight loss, or prescribed medications. If you’re interested in trying barberry, discuss it with your doctor first, especially if you take medications, as supplements can interact with drugs. A typical dose in the studies was around 1-3 grams daily, but follow your doctor’s guidance.

This research may be most relevant for adults with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or metabolic syndrome who want to add natural support to their health routine. People with prediabetes or diabetes may find the blood sugar improvements interesting. However, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people taking blood thinners or certain medications should avoid barberry without medical approval. Those with severe health conditions should not use supplements as a replacement for medical treatment.

Based on the studies reviewed, improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol typically appeared within 4-12 weeks of taking barberry supplements. Weight loss was gradual. However, individual results vary, and some people may see benefits faster or slower than others. Long-term benefits beyond a few months are unknown, so continued research is needed.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a health app, track weekly blood pressure readings (if you have a home monitor) and weight measurements. Also note energy levels and any digestive changes. Record barberry supplement intake daily to correlate with health metrics over 8-12 weeks.
  • Start taking a barberry supplement daily as directed (typically 1-3 grams), while maintaining a food diary to track diet quality. Combine with regular physical activity (150 minutes weekly) and monitor how you feel. Use the app to set reminders for consistent supplement timing and to log any side effects.
  • Track blood pressure weekly if possible, weight bi-weekly, and energy/wellness ratings daily. After 8-12 weeks, review trends in the app to see if you notice improvements. Share results with your doctor at your next visit. Continue monitoring even after seeing improvements to ensure benefits persist and to catch any concerning changes.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Barberry supplements are not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Before starting any supplement, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, are pregnant, nursing, or planning surgery, consult with your healthcare provider. Supplements can interact with medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. The improvements shown in this research are modest and should be combined with proven lifestyle changes like exercise, healthy eating, and weight management. Always inform your doctor about any supplements you take.