scored 83/100
Also known as juniperus communis, gin berries, juniper
Juniper berries are the dried piney cones of Juniperus communis, the defining botanical of gin, rich in alpha-pinene and flavonoids.
0.5 g net carbs after fiber.
Representative amounts for this food, not measured for this item. Real content varies widely by variety, ripeness and storage.
These are the scored components, not a sum: the published score also reflects normalisation across the catalog, so the parts above will not add to 83.
Juniper berries are the small, dark blue-purple seed cones of the Juniperus communis shrub, dried for use as a spice and most famous as the defining botanical of gin. They carry a bracing, piney, resinous flavor with citrus undertones, derived from a rich essential-oil fraction dominated by the monoterpene alpha-pinene, along with myrcene, sabinene, limonene, and the bitter terpene alcohol terpinen-4-ol. Beyond their volatile oils they contribute flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and vitamin C, giving antioxidant capacity, plus the bitter principle juniperin. Used sparingly and crushed to release their oils, they season game meats, venison, pork, sauerkraut, pates, marinades, and Northern and Central European braises, and have a long traditional use as a digestive and diuretic aromatic. Compositional figures for the dried berry are best-estimate, as USDA does not publish a complete profile.
Alpha-pinene and flavonoids scavenge free radicals and downregulate inflammatory signaling
Terpinen-4-ol and bitter principles stimulate digestive secretions and mildly increase renal water excretion
The essential-oil terpenes disrupt microbial membranes, inhibiting several bacteria and fungi
Juniper's aromatic actives have no circadian dependency.
Fasting-compatible
Used in tiny culinary amounts; fasting-compatible.
Per 100 g of the default form. Bars show how much higher or lower juniper berries (dried) is than the average across 76 peer foods in this category. Green means a favorable direction; amber means the opposite.
Juniper Berries (Dried) is classified as a herbs & spices. Juniper berries are the dried piney cones of Juniperus communis, the defining botanical of gin, rich in alpha-pinene and flavonoids.
Juniper Berries (Dried) scores 83/100 in Formulate, making it a great choice. Its strongest contributions come from Manganese, Copper, Vitamin C. The score blends nutrient density, fiber, healthy fats, protein quality, bioactive compounds, and glycemic impact.
Not particularly. A 2 g serving provides about 0.1 g of protein (~0% of the 50 g daily value).
Not really. A 2 g serving provides about 0.6 g of fiber (~2% of the 28 g daily value).
Yes — it fits comfortably in most keto plans. A 2 g serving has about 0.5 g of net carbs (1.1 g total minus 0.6 g fiber).
Best any time of day. Juniper's aromatic actives have no circadian dependency.
A typical serving is around 2 g (~6 kcal), based on the FDA's Reference Amount Customarily Consumed for this food category. There's no fixed daily target — most adults benefit from rotating juniper berries (dried) alongside several other herbs & spices sources.
Juniper Berries (Dried) pairs nicely with: Crush lightly before use because the aromatic oils are locked inside the berry and release on bruising; Pair with fatty and gamey meats where the resinous bitterness cuts richness.
Encyclopedia entries that supply the same signature nutrients juniper berries (dried) contributes. Click through to see clinical dose ranges, evidence quality, and bioavailable forms.
These are the nutrients juniper berries (dried)contributes meaningfully toward (≥10% DV per 100 g serving). Click one to see what it does in the body, which supplements concentrate it, and which other foods are top sources.