Tier 2 — strong

Effects of Berberine, White Mulberry Leaf Extract and Chromium Picolinate on Body Composition and Insulin Resistance in Adults with Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Xenos K, Chalkias K, Chryssou G, Alexandrou E, Vassilopoulou E
Nutrients 2026 18(17):2801

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 42738972
PubMed Central
PMC13567335
DOI
10.3390/nu18172801
Funding
Reported funding sources: Hellenic Institute of Nutrition, Athens, Greece. Grant and funder-role details are in the publication.
Competing interests
A complete competing-interest declaration was not available in the accessible source; no absence of conflicts is inferred.

Study snapshot

DesignDouble-blind placebo-controlled combination randomized trial
ModelHuman participants; see population
Sample93 adults with obesity; 46 active and 47 placebo
InterventionBerberine 1 g/day, white mulberry extract 400 mg/day and chromium picolinate 0.644 mg/day
Duration12 weeks
EndpointsLiver fat and liver enzymes; Body composition and weight; Metabolic biomarkers

What the study showed, in plain terms

The fixed combination improved insulin-sensitivity estimates and body-composition measures compared with placebo.

Key findings

  • The reported between-group BMI difference was -1.24 kg/m².
  • Individual ingredient effects and synergy were not established.

What this study can and cannot tell us

No single-agent arms. Visceral-fat rating came from bioimpedance, not CT or MRI, and is not directly comparable with BRAVO imaging.

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology