Although little is known about the nutrition of juniper berries, it is known that they contain a variety of plant components and several vitamins. They are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of this water-soluble component in a 1-ounce (28-gram) dose, similar to most other berries. The immune system, the production of collagen, and the health of blood vessels all depend on vitamin C. Additionally, it functions as a potent antioxidant, guarding your cells against harm from unstable chemicals known as free radicals.

The berries also include a lot of plant substances, such as coumarins, volatile oils, and flavonoid antioxidants, which have a variety of protective characteristics. The monoterpenes found in the volatile oils of juniper berries include limonene, camphor, and beta-pinene. Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-antioxidant, and antibacterial effects of monoterpenes have been demonstrated. A variety of health-promoting actions are also provided by coumarins and flavonoid antioxidants. A diet high in these substances can improve health and may offer protection against chronic illnesses including heart and neurological disorders.

Foods high in antioxidants are crucial for good health since they aid in preventing cell damage that may otherwise result in disease. Flavonoids, which serve as strong antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties, are abundant in juniper berries' essential oils. One test-tube investigation found over 70 different components in juniper berry essential oil, the bulk of which were the monoterpenes alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, and sabinene. They all contribute to the oil's potent antioxidant properties.

According to the study, the oil increased the activity of the enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, reducing cellular damage in yeast cells. These enzymes' primary function is to shield cells from the harm that free radicals may cause. Another study conducted in test tubes revealed that juniper berry essential oil dramatically decreased inflammation in human skin cells. This result was ascribed to the oil's high monoterpene content. The flavonoids rutin, luteolin, and apigenin, which have been demonstrated in test tubes, animal studies, and human research to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, are also abundant in juniper berries.

Recent research has confirmed that juniper berries may have anti-diabetic characteristics, which have been utilized in traditional medical practices to treat diabetes. In a trial on diabetic rats, juniper berry extract supplementation dramatically lowered blood sugar levels and raised heart-protective HDL (good) cholesterol. In line with this, a different investigation on the anti-diabetic properties of Chinese juniper berry extract discovered that it drastically lowered blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats.

The high quantity of antioxidants in the berries, according to researchers, is what causes these anti-diabetic benefits. Although these results are encouraging, the more human study is required to verify this possible health benefit.

By lowering high triglyceride levels, LDL (bad) and total cholesterol, and raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels, juniper berries may help maintain cardiovascular health. According to research on diabetic rats, juniper berry extract therapy decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 57 and 37%, respectively, in comparison to a control group. In yet another rat experiment, juniper berry extract was also found to raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Research indicates that consuming berries is a great approach to lower heart disease risk factors, despite the dearth of human studies in this area. However, it is uncertain if consuming these berries can lower the risk of heart disease until further human research on the impact of juniper berries on heart health is available.

Animal and test-tube research demonstrate the potent antibacterial and antifungal effects of juniper berries. These are ascribed to its oil's powerful constituents, which also include alpha- and beta-pinene, sabinene, limonene, and myrcene. In one test-tube experiment, juniper berry essential oil showed antibacterial and antifungal activities against 16 species of bacteria, yeasts, yeast-like fungi, and dermatophytes, a type of fungus that develops on your skin and causes disorders like ringworm.

The fungi that cause mouth and yeast infections, dermatophytes, as well as species of candida, were the targets of the strongest antifungal effects. Another test-tube investigation discovered that M. gordonae, M. avium, and M. intracellulare, three bacteria that can result in severe illnesses in people, were greatly suppressed by juniper berry essential oil. Human studies are required to determine if juniper berry extract may be used to treat bacterial or fungal illnesses in humans, despite the fact that it is obvious that juniper berries contain antibacterial and antifungal characteristics.