It’s a pleasant day to learn about the many health benefits of Barberry.
Other common names of barberry are Berberis and Berberis Vulgaris.
This is my list of the health benefits of barberry.
1. Barberry Is A Good Source Of Nutrients
Barberry contains a high amount of vitamin C and iron.
It also contains copper, manganese, zinc, and fiber.
Anthocyanins found in this shrub may boost your overall health, including your brain and heart.
2. May Help With Weight Loss
Obese people were given 500 mg of berberine three times a day for twelve weeks in one trial (Lipid-Lowering Effect Of Berberine In Human Subjects And Rats).
They shed an average of 5 pounds while lowering their triglyceride and cholesterol levels by 23 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively.
Participants in another trial had recently been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
A metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms that include excessive blood sugar, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Patients were administered 300 mg of berberine three times a day in this trial.
Their BMI reduced from 31.5 to 27.4 after twelve weeks, moving them from obese to overweight.
They also found a reduction in cholesterol and lipid levels, as well as a decrease in waist circumference of about two inches.
However, to better understand the effects of berberine on weight loss, more high-quality research with larger populations is needed.
3. Barberry May Help Improve Heart Health
The effects of barberry can help improve your heart’s health especially if you have cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease.
It’s also believed that it can reduce serum cholesterol and triglycerides. This helps improve or maintain heart health.
4. Helps Relieve Sore Throat
Barberries are effective in treating a sore throat as well as other minor ailments such as a cold.
This is due to the fact that barberries contain Vitamin C.
5. Barberry May Help Treat Metabolic Syndrome
Some of the characteristics of metabolic syndrome are having high blood pressure and high blood sugar and this is where barberry can help.
It can help reduce blood pressure levels and manage blood sugar levels.
You can check more of this in this published research (Barberry in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome).
6. May Help Detoxify Your Body
Consuming barberry can help you improve the functions of your liver and gallbladder in detoxifying your body.
It can boost the production of bile which is essential in the digestion of lipids.
You can check out more about the importance of bile here.
An herb that’s beneficial to the liver is waterhyssop. You can check my article about waterhyssop health benefits here.
7. Barberry Contains Berberine
You can find berberine in barberry. Berberine is a plant compound that’s associated with many health benefits.
It acts as a powerful antioxidant that prevents cell damage by fighting free radicals.
This published study (Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris), shows that barberry is useful in treating different diseases.
Other studies like this (A quick overview on some aspects of endocrinological and therapeutic effects of Berberis vulgaris L.) even suggest that it has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces blood sugar levels, reduced cholesterol levels, and treats infections.
8. Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Different studies suggest that berberine, which is present in barberry, can help reduce cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.
More specific information on this can be found in this one study (Berberine in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases).
9. Barberry Is A Good Source Of Iron
Barberry is rich in iron which is beneficial in preventing iron-deficiency diseases like anemia.
It’s able to stimulate the production of red blood cells and enhances smoother blood flow.
10. Is Good For Dental Health
Barberry extracts are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
This helps treat dental inflammatory diseases like gingivitis.
Based on this study (Efficacy of Barberry Aqueous Extracts Dental Gel), it showed that barberry was even more effective compared to the traditional antiplaque toothpaste.
11. Barberry May Help Manage Diabetes
Different studies suggest that barberry extracts may lower your blood sugar levels which can lead to better diabetes management.
In this study (Berberine lowers blood glucose), berberine found in barberry helps improve how your cells respond to insulin.
This research (Efficacy of Berberine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes) even says that the effects are comparable to metformin.
12. Is Good For Your Skin
Eating barberry can help fight acne.
Because this shrub can deal with inflammation and infections, it’s ideal for treating or preventing acne.
Here’s the study (Aqueous extract of dried fruit of Berberis vulgaris L. in acne vulgaris) that can give you more information about it.
13. Barberry Helps Treat Diarrhea
Barberry is traditionally used to treat diarrhea for generations.
Researchers think that large amounts of berberine can inhibit certain receptors that can prevent diarrhea.
14. Has Antifungal And Antimicrobial Properties
Berberine in barberry is seen to have significant antifungal and antimicrobial effects.
It prevents infections by stopping bacteria from attaching to human cells.
It’s believed to help treat or relieve different infections like gastrointestinal infections, respiratory infections, and urinary tract infections.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many health benefits of barberry. There are more but I didn’t add them to the list until I find more details about it.
My favorite health benefit of barberry is that it contains berberine which is like a wonder plant compound that’s beneficial to your body.
Which one on the list is the best or the one you need the most?
Just like anything else on my blog, please be sure to seek advice first from your doctor or health professional if it’s safe for you to consume.
You may learn more about the health benefits of a range of culinary herbs and spices in this area.
And, please don’t forget to share this article with someone you think may need to know the health benefits of barberry.
Thank you!