1. Anti-oxidant Function

Various antioxidant assays, including as in-vitro scavenging assays and metal chelating potential, have demonstrated the significant antioxidant activity of juniper fruit extracts. At doses of 20, 40, and 60 g/ml, the extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) demonstrated a significant total antioxidant activity. Both juniper fruit extracts exhibit effective reducing power, metal chelating activity, and scavenging power at these doses.

Since antiquity, people have utilised these little berries both as food and medicine, and contemporary study indicates that they might have a number of health advantages.

2. High in plant chemicals and minerals

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 strong source of vitamin C, providing 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of this water-soluble component in a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, like the majority of 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 from 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-oxidant, 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 from chronic illnesses including heart and neurological diseases.

3. Have inflammatory- and antioxidant-reducing properties

Foods high in antioxidants are crucial for good health since they aid in preventing cell damage that could 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 caused by free radicals.

4. Could Possess Antidiabetic Qualities

Recent research has confirmed that juniper berries may have antidiabetic characteristics, which they have been used for in traditional medical practices to treat diabetes.

In a diabetic rat trial, juniper berry extract supplementation significantly lowered blood sugar levels and raised heart-healthy 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 antidiabetic effects.

5. Might Enhance Heart Health

By lowering high triglyceride levels, LDL (bad) and total cholesterol, and raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels, juniper berries may help maintain cardiovascular health.

In comparison to a control group, juniper berry extract treatment decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats by 57% and 37%, respectively.

In yet another rat study, juniper berry extract was also found to raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Despite the absence of human studies, evidence indicates that consuming berries is a great approach to lower heart disease risk factors.

6. Anti-Fungal and Anti-Bacterial Action

Animal and test-tube research demonstrates the potent antibacterial and antifungal effects of juniper berries. These are credited to its oil's powerful constituents, which also include sabinene, limonene, myrcene, and alpha- and beta-pinene.

In a test-tube investigation, juniper berry essential oil showed antibacterial and antifungal activity against 16 different types of bacteria, yeasts, yeast-like fungi, and dermatophytes, a type of fungus that grows on your skin and causes disorders like ringworm.

The fungi that cause mouth and yeast infections, dermatophytes, as well asCandida species, were the targets of the most potent antifungal effects.