Berberine in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Researchers combined results from 14 small clinical trials involving 1,068 people with type 2 diabetes. They compared berberine with standard diabetes medicines, inactive treatments, or a combination of treatments. Berberine generally lowered fasting blood sugar and HbA1c, a blood test showing average sugar levels over about three months. It also appeared to improve some blood fat levels, but the studies were small and often poorly reported.

What this means for you: Berberine may help lower blood sugar, but this review does not show that it can replace prescribed diabetes treatment. Do not buy or start it based on this study alone, especially because supplement quality and safety can vary.