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Is Berberine Worth the Hype?
Searching for the Best Berberine Supplements for Energy, Blood Sugar Balance, and Weight Goals? We've Done the Research for you!
Written by Brilliant Staff
With millions of people facing challenges with their glucose levels, it’s no surprise that the market is overflowing with supplements, like berberine, claiming to impact blood sugar, enhance blood flow, and support energy.
But are berberine supplements really worth the hype?
We say yes, however, only high-quality supplements can truly make a lasting impact on your blood glucose levels, especially when they include key ingredients like berberine paired with absorption enhancers like phytosome and chromium.
To help streamline the process of choosing the best supplement, we analyzed the top berberine supplements on the market. We'll show you what to look for and what to avoid when searching for one that works, plus our top 5 picks.
Why You Need a Berberine Supplement
Research shows that berberine helps maintain healthy glucose/blood sugar levels, making it vital for managing blood sugar and energy throughout the day, naturally.
This is done by activating a key enzyme, AMP, or activated protein kinase (AMPK), which helps regulate metabolism and cell function, as well as energy levels.
Berberine's antioxidant properties support heart health by reducing oxidative stress.
Berberine helps reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes, offering a natural way to stabilize glucose levels and support steady energy throughout the day.
Berberine's unique ability to impact glucose and enhance metabolic function makes it a powerful ally in reaching your weight goals and improving overall well-being.
Brilliant Wellness Tip: Supplements are not a quick fix—it takes about 3 months of consistently taking a quality, scientifically-formulated supplement to feel real results.
Effective Dosages
The most effective supplements provide the most effective amounts of key ingredients, not simply listing the active ingredient among countless other unnecessary ingredients or to check off a box. For glucose supplements, we recommend looking for products with at least 500 mg of berberine per serving.
Myth: High Blood Sugar Has No Symptoms
Energy Crashes: Experiencing sudden drops in energy levels, particularly after meals.
Cravings: Feeling an urge for sugary foods or carbohydrates.
Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to maintain focus or mental clarity before meals.
Key Ingredients in Quality Berberine Supplements
Berberine has become super popular recently, and for good reason. It is a powerful bioactive compound known for its positive effects on metabolic and cardiovascular health. Look for a supplement with a minimum of 500 mg per serving to ensure potency and effectiveness.
Chromium is an essential mineral that helps regulate the body’s use of glucose. Its presence in a supplement can enhance the absorption and efficacy of other blood sugar ingredients.
Brilliant Wellness Tip: The presence of chromium is beneficial in the absorption of glucose.
What To Avoid
This cheap filler is used to help bind ingredients together and lubricate the supplement, so it doesn’t gum up when it is run through the manufacturing machines. Magnesium stearate adds no nutritional value and can become toxic to your system in large doses.
What Else To Consider
The more ingredients in a formula the higher the chance those ingredients could counteract other ingredients. In which case, you'll be paying for extra ingredients that don't have much impact. It's usually better to choose quality over quantity.
It's important to know that dramatic changes to your health won't happen overnight. It can take months for significant effects to take place. Month three is when many people report seeing a noticeable difference in their energy levels, immunity, and digestion. So, if you want the full effect of a berberine supplement then stick with it for at least three months to feel real results.
A full satisfaction guarantee demonstrates a company’s faith in its product. The longer the guarantee, the better. Look for satisfaction guarantees for at least 60 days.
The Brilliant Process
Like you, we’re picky about products — and serious about quality.
Whether we’re featuring an award-winning product from one of our five beauty and wellness brands — or somebody else’s — a Brilliant recommendation doesn’t see the light of day until it has been medically reviewed by our Fact Checkers for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.
At Brilliant, although we often feature products that we sell, we’re not afraid to highlight and celebrate other brands who are doing things right.
We take great care in handpicking high-quality products to feature on Brilliant. Here’s how we choose them:
- High-Quality Ingredients: We dig deep into the latest research and look for products that contain comprehensive ingredients for optimal impact.
- Pure, Holistic Formulas: We prioritize products that contain clean, wholesome ingredients. A product should only contain what it needs and nothing else—period.
- Brand credibility: Each product on our list is produced by a company with trusted credibility. We've also verified that each brand adheres to labeling requirements set forth under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Value: We evaluate products based on industry averages and price per serving or application. We also consider quantity and return policy.
As veteran leaders in the wellness space with an award-winning brand portfolio of 100+ health and beauty products, we are committed to honesty and transparency, providing thoughtful insights into the benefits and limitations of the information and products we evaluate — including our own. Every Brilliant Buying Guide is thoroughly vetted for medical accuracy by our Fact Checkers prior to publication.
With our discerning selection process, you can feel confident that the products we recommend meet the highest benchmarks of quality, transparency, and efficacy. If we wouldn’t use a product ourselves, it’s not Brilliant.
Our Top 5 Berberine Supplements
Now that you know what to look for and avoid in berberine supplements, it’s time to shop. Check out our Brilliant recommendations below, including our own Live Conscious Berberine Phytosome and Essential Elements GluControl.
What We Like:
-
Effective dose of berberine
-
Chromium
-
Non-GMO
-
GMP compliant
-
365-day return policy
-
Manufactured in the USA with local & global ingredients
Room To Improve:
-
Sold exclusively online
Sold exclusively online
Final Thoughts
Our Berberine Phytosome from Live Conscious delivers the right dose, the right support, and the right formulation. With 550 mg of clinically-studied Berbevis® Berberine Phytosome®, it provides potency for blood sugar and metabolic support, while also including chromium to enhance absorption and efficacy.
Live Conscious also offers a 365-day return policy, so you have plenty of time to determine if this product is right for you.
Product Specs
- 30 servings per bottle (1 capsule per serving)
- Chromium (35 mcg), Berberine Berbevis®: Indena Phytosome® Berberis aristata Root Extract, Pea Protein Isolate, Sunflower Lecithin, Grape Seed Extract (550 mg)
- Gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO
- Price: $$
*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
What We Like:
-
Effective dose of berberine
-
Chromium
-
Non-GMO
-
GMP compliant
-
365-day return policy
-
Manufactured in the USA with local & global ingredients
Room To Improve:
-
Sold exclusively online
Final Thoughts
Our GluControl by Essential Elements delivers a strong lineup of ingredients at effective doses, including 500 mg of berberine and 600 mcg of chromium, to support blood sugar balance and metabolic function.
It offers additional support with ingredients like ceylon cinnamon bark extract, bitter melon, and lion’s mane. And with a 365-day money-back guarantee and third-party testing, it’s a reliable option for those looking to support glucose health with confidence.
Product Specs
- 30 servings per bottle (2 capsules per serving)
- Chromium (600 mcg), Ceylon Cinnamon Bark Extract (500 mg), Bitter Melon Fruit Powder (10 mg), Lion’s Mane Fruit Body Extract (10 mg), Neem Leaf Extract (10 mg), Milk Thistle Seed Extract (10 mg), Gymnema Leaf and Stem Powder (100 mg), Berberine HCL (500 mg)
- Gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO
- Price: $$
What We Like:
-
Effective dose of berberine
-
GMP compliant
-
60-day return policy
-
Manufactured in the USA with local & global ingredients
Room To Improve:
-
Lacks chromium
Final Thoughts
Thorne’s Berberine supplement delivers a solid one-two punch with 450 mg of Berberine HCL and 550 mg of Berberine Phytosome® per serving, providing both potency and enhanced absorption for blood sugar and metabolic support.
While it lacks additional synergistic ingredients like chromium, its comprehensive formulation and GMP compliance maintain Thorne’s reputation for quality. With a 60-day return policy, this is a reliable pick for those looking to streamline their supplement routine with a straightforward, dual-form berberine formula.
Product Specs
- 30 servings per bottle (2 capsules per serving)
- Berberine HCL (450 mg), Berberine Phytosome® (550 mg)
- Gluten-free, soy-free
- Price: $$
*We earn a commission if you click on this link to make a purchase of Berberine.
What We Like:
-
Effective dose of berberine
-
Non-GMO
-
GMP compliant
-
Manufactured in the USA with local & global ingredients
Room To Improve:
-
Lacks chromium
-
30-day return policy
Final Thoughts
Best of Berberine by HUM offers a potent 1,200 mg dose of Berberine HCL per serving, paired with 5 mg of BioPerine® to support absorption.
While it doesn’t include chromium for added glucose support, the high berberine content and inclusion of BioPerine® make it a compelling option for those focused on metabolic and blood sugar health. Just keep in mind the 30-day return window is shorter than some competitors. Still, HUM delivers a strong, no-frills formula that’s easy to add to your daily routine.
Product Specs
- 30 servings per bottle (2 capsules per serving)
- Berberine HCL (1200 mg), Bioperine® (5 mg)
- Gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO
- Price: $$
*We earn a commission if you click on this link to make a purchase of Best of Berberine.
What We Like
-
Chromium
-
Non-GMO
-
GMP compliant
-
90-day return policy
-
Manufactured in the USA with local & global ingredients
Room to Improve
-
Unknown dose of berberine
-
Contains magnesium stearate
Fınal Thoughts
Blood Sugar Blend by Snap delivers a wide spectrum of ingredients, including chromium and a herbal blend designed to support glucose metabolism, energy, and overall wellness. It includes ingredients like folate, vitamin D, and zinc, plus functional botanicals like bitter melon, gymnema, and lion’s mane.
However, the product does not disclose the berberine dose, a key compound in many top glucose formulas. It also includes magnesium stearate, which adds no nutritional value.
Despite those drawbacks, the formula is backed by a 90-day return policy, making it a comprehensive option for those looking to support blood sugar balance with a multi-ingredient approach.
Product Specs
- 30 servings per bottle (2 capsules per serving)
- Vitamin D (10 mcg), Thiamin (1 mg), Niacin (10 mg NE), Folate 667 mcg DFE (400 mcg folic acid), Vitamin B12 (2.4 mcg), Biotin (1000 mcg), Zinc (10 mg), Chromium (35 mcg), Snap Blood Sugar Blend: Berberine HCL (Berberis aristata), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) bark powder, L-Theanine, Gymnema leaf extract, Fenugreek seed extract, Bitter Melon fruit extract, Moringa (Moringa oleifera) organic leaf extract, Ashwagandha root extract, Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceius) mycelium, Stinging Nettle Leaf powder, Organic Turmeric root powder, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Resveratol (from Polygonum cuspidatum root extract), Coenzyme Q-10 (as Ubiquinone), Green Tea leaf extract (800 mg), Vanadium (10mcg)
- Gluten-free, soy-free, non-GMO
- Price: $$$
*We earn a commission if you click on this link to make a purchase of Blood Sugar Blend
- Khosla, P, et al.Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology.., vol. 44, no. 1, Jan. 2000, pp. 69–74, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10919098.
- Sacco, Rodolfo, et al.Minerva Gastroenterologica E Dietologica, vol. 62, no. 4, Dec. 2016, pp. 316–324, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27603810.
