Berberine is a plant-derived compound found in herbs like goldenseal and barberry, with deep roots in traditional medicine and a strong foundation in modern scientific research. Its health benefits—particularly for metabolism and blood sugar regulation—have been studied for decades. But its potential impact on behavioral patterns, such as alcohol consumption, is only now beginning to come into focus.
What It Can Do for Blood Sugar
If you’ve ever tracked your HbA1c (a marker used to monitor average blood sugar over time), you know how important it is to keep those levels in check. Elevated A1c is tied to higher risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Berberine has been shown to lower HbA1c and improve blood sugar control across multiple clinical trials and meta-analyses. What sets it apart is its mechanism: berberine stimulates insulin secretion—but only when blood sugar is elevated. For deeper dive, read:
Xie, W., Su, F., Wang, G., Peng, Z., Xu, Y., Zhang, Y., Xu, N., Hou, K., Hu, Z., Chen, Y., & Chen, R. (2022). Glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1015045. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1015045
Boosting the Body’s Own GLP-1
GLP-1 is the hormone behind the buzz surrounding drugs like Ozempic or Mounjaro, known for regulating blood sugar and reducing appetite. Berberine also appears to naturally enhance GLP-1, through mechanisms involving improved gut health, reduced oxidative stress, and restored mitochondrial function in the gut. For deeper dive, read:
Yang, W.-L., Zhang, C.-Y., Ji, W.-Y., Zhao, L.-L., Yang, F.-Y., Zhang, L., & Cao, X. (2024). Berberine metabolites stimulate GLP-1 secretion by alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 52(1), 253–274. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X24500113
Can it help with Alcohol Craving?
One of the lesser-known (but intriguing) effects of berberine is its potential role in reducing alcohol cravings. In animal studies, it has been shown to decrease the rewarding effects of alcohol, possibly by modulating the brain’s dopamine and opioid systems. For deeper dive, read:
Bhutada, P., Mundhada, Y., Bansod, K., Rathod, S., Hiware, R., Dixit, P., Umathe, S., & Mundhada, D. (2010). Inhibitory effect of berberine on the motivational effects of ethanol in mice. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 34(8), 1472–1479. https://tinyurl.com/y4r222bz
Stay Present, Thrive Daily!
Julia