Dihydroberberine
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Dihydroberberine (Dihydroberberine (DHB)) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 4,885 participants, researched for Bioavailability & Pharmacokinetics, Blood Sugar Management (Berberine Evidence), Gut Microbiome & Metabolic Health and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Bioavailability & Pharmacokinetics
ModerateBlood Sugar Management (Berberine Evidence)
WeakGut Microbiome & Metabolic Health
ModerateObesity & Body Composition
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Bioavailability & Pharmacokinetics
To compare absorption kinetics of berberine and dihydroberberine and their impact on glycemia.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover pilot trial
Purpose
To compare absorption kinetics of berberine and dihydroberberine and their impact on glycemia.
Dose
Placebo vs 500mg berberine (B500) vs 100mg dihydroberberine (D100) vs 200mg dihydroberberine (D200)
Participants
5 healthy males (mean age 26 years, mean weight 91.8 kg)
Duration
Acute (single-dose crossover with preliminary dosing at breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Results
D100 demonstrated significantly greater plasma berberine AUC (284.4 vs 42.3 ng/mL x 120 min for B500), approximately 5x higher bioavailability. Peak concentration was >3x greater for DHB. However, no significant differences in glucose or insulin levels were observed, attributed to short study duration.
How They Measured It
Venous blood samples analyzed for berberine concentration, glucose, and insulin at 0, 20, 40, 60, 90, and 120 minutes post-ingestion
Blood Sugar Management (Berberine Evidence)
To evaluate the effect of berberine on metabolic profiles in type 2 diabetic patients.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 RCTs
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of berberine on metabolic profiles in type 2 diabetic patients.
Dose
Varied across 46 RCTs
Participants
46 randomized controlled trials involving type 2 diabetes patients
Duration
Various
Results
Berberine demonstrated significant reductions in HbA1c, FPG, and 2hPG alongside improved insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. Inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha) also improved while maintaining safety profiles.
How They Measured It
HbA1c, FPG, 2hPG, FINS, HOMA-IR, BMI, lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL, HDL), inflammation (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha)
To assess the glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 RCTs
Purpose
To assess the glucose-lowering effect of berberine on type 2 diabetes.
Dose
Varied across 37 RCTs
Participants
3,048 patients across 37 randomized controlled trials
Duration
Various (sensitivity analyses excluded studies ≤3 weeks)
Results
Berberine reduced FPG by 0.82 mmol/L, HbA1c by 0.63%, and 2-hour glucose by 1.16 mmol/L. Berberine did not increase the incidence of total adverse events or risk of hypoglycemia.
How They Measured It
Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, 2-hour plasma glucose, adverse event incidence
To systematically review berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 RCTs
Purpose
To systematically review berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Dose
Varied across 14 RCTs
Participants
1,068 individuals across 14 randomized controlled trials
Duration
Various
Results
Berberine combined with lifestyle changes showed significantly greater hypoglycaemic and antidyslipidemic response vs lifestyle alone. Berberine performed comparably to standard medications for glycemic control with modest lipid-lowering benefits. No serious adverse effects documented.
How They Measured It
Glycemic control markers, lipid profiles, adverse effects
To evaluate the effect of berberine supplementation on glycemic control and inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic disorders.
Study Type
Umbrella meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of berberine supplementation on glycemic control and inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic disorders.
Dose
Varied across included meta-analyses
Participants
Adults with metabolic disorders across multiple meta-analyses of RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Berberine supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, HOMA-IR, insulin levels, and inflammatory markers including IL-6, TNF-alpha, and C-reactive protein across multiple effect size measurements.
How They Measured It
Fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, HOMA-IR, insulin, IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP
Gut Microbiome & Metabolic Health
To assess gut microbiome-related effects of berberine and probiotics on type 2 diabetes.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (PREMOTE study)
Purpose
To assess gut microbiome-related effects of berberine and probiotics on type 2 diabetes.
Dose
Berberine 0.6g twice daily (1.2g/day); gentamicin pretreatment during 1-week run-in
Participants
409 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients from 20 centers in China
Duration
12 weeks treatment
Results
Changes in HbA1c in probiotics+berberine (-1.04%) and berberine-alone (-0.99%) groups were significantly greater than placebo and probiotics-alone (-0.59% and -0.53%, P<0.001). Berberine significantly altered gut microbiome. Ruminococcus bromii identified as a deoxycholic acid convertor and microbial target of berberine.
How They Measured It
Glycated haemoglobin (primary), metagenomics and metabolomic analyses of gut microbiome
To assess effectiveness and safety of Bifidobacterium and berberine in human hyperglycemia and their regulatory effect on gut microbiota.
Study Type
Multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial
Purpose
To assess effectiveness and safety of Bifidobacterium and berberine in human hyperglycemia and their regulatory effect on gut microbiota.
Dose
Berberine and/or Bifidobacterium (4 groups: berberine, Bifidobacterium, combination, placebo)
Participants
297 participants newly diagnosed with hyperglycemia (from 300 enrolled)
Duration
18 weeks total (2-week run-in + 16 weeks treatment)
Results
Berberine and combination groups showed significant FPG reductions vs placebo (~0.50-0.55 mmol/L). Combined treatment produced pronounced HbA1c decrease. Berberine and combination groups demonstrated greater microbiota changes than other groups.
How They Measured It
Fasting plasma glucose (primary), HbA1c, gut microbiota composition
Obesity & Body Composition
To evaluate the effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation, and liver function enzymes.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 RCTs
Purpose
To evaluate the effect of berberine supplementation on obesity parameters, inflammation, and liver function enzymes.
Dose
Varied across 12 RCTs
Participants
12 randomized controlled trials
Duration
Various
Results
Berberine treatment produced moderate reductions in body weight (-2.07 kg), BMI (-0.47 kg/m2), waist circumference (-1.08 cm), and CRP (-0.42 mg/L). No significant effect on liver enzymes ALT and AST.
How They Measured It
Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, CRP, liver enzymes (ALT, AST)
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dihydroberberine research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Dihydroberberine (Dihydroberberine (DHB)), involving 4,885 total participants. Research covers Blood sugar management, Metabolic health, Gut microbiome. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (3 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Dihydroberberine has been researched for: Blood sugar management, Metabolic health, Gut microbiome. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 3 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
