Which Is Better for Blood Pressure and Inflammation?

There’s some evidence that both herbal supplements turmeric and berberine can help control blood pressure and reduce pain and swelling (inflammation). Turmeric may help reduce inflammation, and berberine may help support healthy blood pressure.

Berberine May Be More Effective for Blood Pressure

There have not been any head-to-head clinical trials directly comparing berberine and turmeric for blood pressure (BP), but berberine has a slight edge.

• A review of 20 clinical trials showed that berberine lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP, the top number in your blood pressure reading) by more than 5 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Berberine lowered diastolic blood pressure (DBP, the bottom number in your blood pressure reading) by less than 3 mmHg. Keep in mind that a decrease of 5 mmHg is recommended for health benefits.
• An extensive review of 35 clinical trials shows that turmeric or its active ingredient curcumin can modestly lower SBP by about 2 mmHg, and DBP by almost 1 mmHg.
• But keep these results in perspective. Though some research supports these supplements, a recent review concluded that there is not enough high-quality evidence to recommend berberine for BP control. And two other reviews showed that taking curcumin or turmeric is unlikely to lower BP unless you take it for more than 12 weeks.

Turmeric May Be Better For Inflammation

Turmeric, and especially its active ingredient curcumin, have the upper hand when it comes to fighting inflammation.

• A test tube study compared the effects of berberine, curcumin, and other supplements on blood markers associated with the body’s response to stress or disease (inflammatory markers). Curcumin reduced more inflammatory markers than berberine, suggesting that curcumin may have a more potent anti-inflammatory effect.
• Clinical trials in humans confirm that both berberine and turmeric (or curcumin) decrease inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These markers are typically elevated in chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
• Recent data suggests taking turmeric and berberine together to boost anti-inflammatory effects.

Are Berberine and Turmeric Safe for Me?

Keep the following risks in mind if you are choosing between these supplements:

• Side effects: Both turmeric and berberine can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. In addition, some curcumin products may damage the liver. Keep an eye out for warning signs such as exhaustion, nausea, dark urine, or yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), and avoid curcumin or turmeric if you have liver problems.
• Precautions: There is not enough safety data to know if it’s safe to take either supplement during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Don’t take either without your healthcare provider’s OK.
• Medication interactions: Berberine can interact with cyclosporine, an organ transplant medication. Curcumin increases the risk of bleeding in people taking blood thinners. It can also increase levels of medicines, including some antibiotics, cancer medicines, and anti-inflammatories, and cause side effects.

Discuss taking berberine or turmeric with your healthcare provider before adding either to your daily regimen for optimal health and safety.