GREEN AND HERBAL FOOD PHARMACY –
A) BERBERINE BERRY
HIGH IN NUTRIENTS Barberries are highly nutritious. They are rich in carbs, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals.
In particular, the berries are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that may help protect against cellular damage, which can lead to heart disease and cancer (2Trusted Source).
A 1/4-cup (28-gram) serving of dried barberries contains (3):
Calories: 89
Protein: 1 gram
Fat: 1 gram
Carbs: 18 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Vitamin C: 213% of the Daily Value (DV)
Iron: 15% of the DV
In addition, barberries contain zinc, manganese, and copper, all of which are trace minerals that play significant roles in immunity and disease prevention.( 7Trusted Source).
1) The bright red color of the berries comes from anthocyanins, which are plant pigments that may boost your brain and heart health, among other benefits (8Trusted Source).
2) Contain beneficial plant compounds
Barberries are rich in berberine, a unique plant compound that may be associated with several health benefits.
Berberine is a member of the alkaloid family, a group of compounds known for their therapeutic effects (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).
3) Studies have shown that it acts as a powerful antioxidant, combating cell damage caused by reactive molecules called free radicals (11Trusted Source).
Also, berberine may help reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, slow the progression of certain cancer cells, fight infections, and have anti-inflammatory effects (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
What’s more, barberries contain other compounds that may have health benefits, such as other alkaloids and organic acids. Yet, most research has focused on berberine (12Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Barberries contain a high concentration of berberine, a therapeutic compound with antioxidant activity that may provide several health benefits.
Contain beneficial plant compounds
Barberries are rich in berberine, a unique plant compound that may be associated with several health benefits.
Studies have shown that it acts as a powerful antioxidant, combating cell damage caused by reactive molecules called free radicals (11Trusted Source).
3) Barberries — and in particular their berberine content — may play a role in managing diabetes, a chronic disease marked by high blood sugar levels.
Specifically, berberine has been shown to improve how your cells respond to the hormone insulin, which regulates the amount of sugar in your blood. In turn, this may help lower your blood sugar levels (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
One 3-month study in 36 adults with type 2 diabetes found that taking 1.5 grams of berberine per day led to a significant 2% reduction in hemoglobin A1c — a measure of your average blood sugar control over the past 3 months — compared with baseline values (16Trusted Source).
In fact, researchers found that the beneficial effects of berberine on blood sugar and hemoglobin-A1c were comparable to those of the traditional diabetes drug METFORMIN (16Trusted Source).
Another 8-week study in 30 people with type 2 diabetes found that those who took 2 mg of dried barberry fruit extract daily had reduced hemoglobin A1c levels and significantly lower blood sugar levels, compared with a placebo group (17Trusted Source).
4) Can help treat diarrhea
Barberries have been used to treat diarrhea for centuries.
This is likely due to their high concentration of berberine, which helps slow the transit of feces through your gut by inhibiting certain receptors, thus PREVENTING, (20Trusted Source).
In fact, one of the oldest human studies on berberine found that it treated diarrhea caused by infections from certain bacteria, including E. coli (21Trusted Source).
Furthermore, one study in 196 adults with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) found taking 800 mg of berberine hydrochloride per day significantly decreased the frequency of diarrhea and the urgent need to defecate, compared with a placebo (22Trusted Source).
While these results are interesting, more human research is needed to better understand how berberine and barberries may help treat diarrhea.
5)5. May protect against metabolic syndrome
Eating barberries may help prevent metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of risk factors that increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
In particular, barberries may protect against obesity and high blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood pressure levels — all of which are risk factors for this syndrome (23Trusted Source).
One 8-week study in 46 patients with type 2 diabetes found that drinking around 7 ounces (200 mL) of barberry juice per day significantly reduced blood pressure, triglyceride, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, compared with a placebo (24Trusted Source).
In addition to improving the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, barberries may help decrease oxidative stress in those who already have the condition.
Oxidative stress results from underlying cell damage caused by reactive molecules called free radicals. Having too much oxidative stress — and not enough antioxidants to fight it — can lead to heart disease and other health issues (25Trusted Source).
A 6-week study in 106 people with metabolic syndrome showed taking 600 mg of dried barberry per day significantly decreased oxidative stress compared with a placebo (25Trusted Source).
Based on these results, eating the berries may help decrease your chances of developing risk factors for metabolic syndrome, as well as reduce oxidative stress associated with it. Nevertheless, more research is needed.
6)Test-tube studies have shown that barberry extract can fight inflammation.
This is likely because berberine acts as a powerful .
It helps treat inflammatory dental diseases like gingivitis, which is marked by plaque buildup, swelling, and irritation of the gums.
One study in 45 boys between the ages of 11 and 12 found that applying barberry dental gel for 21 days reduced plaque and gingivitis significantly more than a placebo
The study also indicated that barberry gel was more effective than traditional anti-plaque toothpaste, but the results were not significant .
These results suggest that barberry treatments may promote good dental health, but more research is needed.
7)There are several different ways in which barberries may exert anticancer effects, all of which are related to berberine.
Since berberine acts as an antioxidant, it may help fight underlying oxidative damage associated with cancer development (28Trusted Source).
Additionally, berberine may prevent cancer cell replication, and inhibit enzymes involved in the life cycle of cancer cells (28Trusted Source).
Several test-tube studies have shown that berberine prevents tumor growth and initiates cell death in human prostate, liver, bone, and breast (32Trusted Source).
However, research is limited to test-tube studies, and more research is needed to better understand the potential role of barberries in cancer treatment and prevention)
8)Barberries may play a role in treating acne, a skin condition characterized by inflamed bumps and pimples.
Specifically, berberine and other compounds in barberries may help fight inflammation and infections associated with acne (33Trusted Source).
One study in adolescents with moderate to severe acne found that taking 600 mg of dried barberry extract per day for 4 weeks significantly reduced the average number of lesions, compared with a placebo (33Trusted Source).
The study concluded that extract from this berry may be a safe and effective treatment option for teenagers with acne, but more extensive research is needed.
9)Easy to add to your diet
Barberries are known to have a tart, slightly sweet flavor and can be eaten raw, in jam, or as a component of rice dishes and salads. They can also be juiced or used to make tea.
Supplemental forms of barberry include dried capsules, liquid extracts, and ointments or gels made from whole berries or berberine extract. However, due to the limited research in humans, there is no recommended dosage for barberry or berberine supplements.
While barberries are generally recognized as safe for most people, there are some reports that large amounts or high supplemental doses can cause stomach upset and diarrhea (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).
What’s more, there is no research on the effects of barberries in children or pregnant or lactating women. Therefore, barberry or berberine supplements should be avoided in these populations (34Trusted Source).
To reap the possible health benefits of barberries, try using whole, fresh berries in your cooking.
If you are interested in taking a barberry or berberine supplement, consult your healthcare provider first and look for a supplement that has been tested for quality by a third party.
10) Berberin reduces cortisol
