Berberine and Reduced Body Weight

Research synthesisModerate evidenceModerate effect4 studies · 3 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects of berberine on reduced body weight, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate (predominantly moderate). Effects were typically observed at 8–12 weeks in clinical populations with metabolic conditions such as MASLD, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The only reported dose was 1200 mg/day, but dosing information was limited.

Studied populations: Adults with metabolic conditions (MASLD, type 2 diabetes, obesity)

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 4 studies), and one randomized controlled trial reported a neutral effect. One meta-analysis had a very small sample size (23 participants), limiting its reliability. The only RCT with a null result used berberine in combination with cinnamon, which may confound outcomes.

Generated Jul 15, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 1,200 (median 1,200, IQR 1,200–1,200) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 2.9 months · IQR 2.9 months–3 months · Range 2.8 months–3 months — Reported in 2 of 4 studies

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
The included studies showed substantial heterogeneity in reported outcomes, which primarily focused on hepatic health, body weight, adverse events, glycemic control, blood lipids, and body composition.
from: Evaluating Bioactive-Substance-Based Interventions for Adults with MASLD: Results from a S
gastrointestinal symptomsReported
The most frequent adverse effects in both groups were gastrointestinal symptoms, which attenuated during the first month of treatment.
from: Comparative Effects of Gymnema sylvestre and Berberine on Adipokines, Body Composition, an

4 of 4 papers

Evaluating Bioactive-Substance-Based Interventions for Adults with MASLD: Results from a Systematic Scoping Review.
- 2025-01-26
- Systematic Review · n = 4,572
- Nutrients 17(3)
- - Deepa Handu
  - Kim Stote
  - Tami Piemonte
- PubMed: 39940310
- DOI: 10.3390/nu17030453
6 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
The included studies showed substantial heterogeneity in reported outcomes, which primarily focused on hepatic health, body weight, adverse events, glycemic control, blood lipids, and body composition.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
The efficacy and safety of berberine in combination with cinnamon supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial.
- 2025-02-25
- RCT
- European journal of nutrition 64(2)
- - Asieh Mansour
  - Sayed Mahmoud Sajjadi-Jazi
  - Hadis Gerami
  - Atie Sadat Khorasanian
  - Behnam Moalemzadeh
  - Sara Karimi
  - Nima Mohamadi Afrakoti
  - Vahid Mofid
  - Mohammad Reza Mohajeri-Tehrani
  - Azita Hekmatdoost
- PubMed: 39998703
- DOI: 10.1007/s00394-025-03618-9
10 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
there was no difference in other measured metabolic and anthropometric parameters between the two groups
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
600 mg/day
The effect of berberine on obesity indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- 2025-11-27
- Meta-Analysis · n = 23
- International journal of obesity (2005) 50(1)
- - Iman Elahi Vahed
  - Erfan Shahir-Roudi
  - Sina Nojumi
  - Samieh Golmohammadi
  - Mehdi Moradi Shahrebabak
  - Niloofar Sharafi Tafreshi Moghadam
  - Amir Sajad Bagheryan
  - Maryam Moftakhar
  - Fateme Shamsipour
  - Mahla Jafari
  - Hossein Soltaninejad
  - Mohammad Rahmanian
- PubMed: 41310257
- DOI: 10.1038/s41366-025-01943-x
4 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- High evidence
- Clinical
Berberine significantly reduced body weight (MD of -0.88 kg, 95% CI: -1.36 to -0.39, p = 0.0003)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Comparative Effects of Gymnema sylvestre and Berberine on Adipokines, Body Composition, and Metabolic Parameters in Obese Patients: A Randomized Study.
- 2024-07-16
- RCT
- Nutrients 16(14)
- - Cindy Bandala
  - Jazmín Carro-Rodríguez
  - Noemí Cárdenas-Rodríguez
  - Itzel Peña-Montero
  - Modesto Gómez-López
  - Ana Paola Hernández-Roldán
  - Juan Carlos Huerta-Cruz
  - Felipe Muñoz-González
  - Iván Ignacio-Mejía
  - Brayan Domínguez
  - Eleazar Lara-Padilla
- PubMed: 39064727
- DOI: 10.3390/nu16142284
7 Insights on
- Reduced Body Weight
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
BBR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) body weight, blood pressure and Vis and Ap gene expression and increased Ome
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes

Berberine and Reduced Body Weight

Evaluating Bioactive-Substance-Based Interventions for Adults with MASLD: Results from a Systematic Scoping Review.

The efficacy and safety of berberine in combination with cinnamon supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial.

The effect of berberine on obesity indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Comparative Effects of Gymnema sylvestre and Berberine on Adipokines, Body Composition, and Metabolic Parameters in Obese Patients: A Randomized Study.