Citrus bergamot is a citrus fruit that’s native to Italy. Essential oils from the peel and the extract from the juice are used to make Earl Grey tea and medicine.
Bergamot is also commonly called also called bergamot orange, Citrus bergamia, or sour orange.
Historically, bergamot has been used as a remedy for fever and parasitic diseases.
Modern research suggests that citrus bergamot benefits heart health, specifically by reducing cholesterol. It’s also thought to lower blood sugar levels.
In this article, we will look at the health benefits of citrus bergamot, its safety, and its history.
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What is Citrus Bergamot?
Citrus bergamot is a perennial in the Rutaceae (i.e. citrus) family. It grows in a southern region of Italy known as Calabria (the “toe” of the boot).
The fruit of this tree, known as bergamot orange, is a fragrant citrus fruit that’s the size of a small orange. Unlike a typical orange, the bergamot orange is a yellow or green color similar to a lime, depending on ripeness.
The bergamot orange is thought to be a hybrid of lemons and bitter oranges.
An essential oil is made from the peel of the bergamot orange. It’s famously used as a flavor in popular Earl Grey tea.
Citrus bergamot should not be confused with wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa, or “Bee Balm”), which is a plant in the Lamiaceae (mint) family.
Bergamot fruit is primarily used for its essential oils, these are obtained by rasping and cold pressing the peel. Bergamot essential oil is widely used as a perfume, cosmetic, and food because of its incredible fragrance.
In traditional Italian medicine, bergamot fruit has been used to treat a variety of symptoms that include fever, sore throat, mouth and skin infections, and infections of the respiratory system and the urinary tract.
Modern research shows that bergamot orange contains beneficial flavonoids, including:
- Neoeriocitrin
- Naringin
- Neohesperidin
- Citropten
- Ponceritin
- Melitidin
- Mitrocin
- Miriflin
- Brutieridin
- Bergamottin
These flavonoids are thought to be responsible for the health benefits of bergamot.
Health Benefits of Citrus Bergamot:
There are many purported health benefits of citrus bergamot.
A variety of clinical trials shows that citrus bergamot can be very impactful for heart health.
1. May Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Research indicates that citrus bergamot’s cholesterol-lowering effects may make it one of the most important herbs for cholesterol health.
High cholesterol, known clinically as hyperlipidemia, is tied with a host of heart health issues. Through a vast array of trials and studies, it has been consistently shown that elevated LDL cholesterol levels increase a person’s risk for developing atherosclerotic plaques and subsequent vascular disease.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated bergamot’s ability( 500mg or 1,000mg per day) to impact total cholesterol markers. A total of 237 human subjects were enrolled in the study over 3 months. Total cholesterol was reduced by 20% (500mg of bergamot) and 30.9% (1,000mg of bergamot). LDL was reduced by 23% (500mg bergamot) and by 38.6% (1,000mg of bergamot). HDL was increased by 25.9% (500mg of bergamot) and by 39% (1,000mg of bergamot).
A placebo-controlled study involving 77 individuals with elevated LDL and triglycerides were administered 1) placebo (n=15) 2) rosuvastatin 10mg (n=16) 3) rosuvastatin 20mg (n=16) 4) bergamot extract(n=15) or 5) bergamot extract with rosuvastatin (n=15).
The participants were given 500mg of bergamot extract over the course of 30 days. Both doses of rosuvastatin and bergamot reduced total cholesterol, LDL, and urinary mevalonate. The results of this study suggest a combination of rosuvastatin and BPF was safe when taken together over the course of 30 days.
An observational study involving 11 participants evaluated a combination of 9 plant extracts that included bergamot fruit extract. The extract was formulated with apple fruit extract, bergamot fruit extract, blueberry fruit concentrate, capsicum fruit, grape seed extract, grape skin extract, green tea leaf extract, mangosteen pericarp extract, olive leaf extract, and turmeric root & rhizome extract.
Patients were directed to take 2 capsules daily (a total of 500mg of bergamot fruit extract and 220mg phytochemical complex blend) for 3 months. A reduction in total cholesterol (7.3%), LDL cholesterol (10%), and apolipoprotein B (2.8%) was observed.
Another clinical trial involving 80 participants looked at the effectiveness of bergamot extract in individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia (i.e. 160 −190mg/dl). The subjects received 150mg of bergamot flavonoids (standardized to contain 16% neoeriocitrin, 47% neohesperidin, and 37% naringin) daily for 6 months.
The bergamot group showed a decrease in total cholesterol from 255 to 224, LDL cholesterol from 159 to 132, and triglycerides from 159 to 133. An increase in HDL was observed with bergamot from 50 to 54.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated bergamot extract’s ability to impact hyperlipidemia. Patients were randomized into three groups as follows: 1) placebo (n=20) 2) bergamot polyphenol extract (n=20) and 3) bergamot polyphenol extract phytosomal formulation (n=20).
Over the course of 30 days, the study participants in the bergamot polyphenol extract group received 650mg taken twice daily and subjects in the bergamot polyphenol fraction phytosomal formulation group received 500mg taken twice daily. The bergamot polyphenol fraction decreased total cholesterol from 262 to 196, LDL cholesterol from 175 to 116, and triglycerides from 252 to 170.
Similar results were observed with BPF Phyto: it decreased total cholesterol from 261 to 198, LDL cholesterol from 174 to 113, and triglycerides from 252 to 173. Both formulations were able to show an increase in HDL cholesterol with BPF increasing HDL from 44 to 48 and BPF Phyto from 44 to 50. Decreases in serum glucose were observed with BPF from 120 to 98 and BPF Phyto from 124 to 96. No changes were observed in the placebo group.
Berberine is a phytochemical with similar cholesterol benefits to citrus bergamot. Click here to learn whether bergamot or berberine is best for you.
Summary:
Studies show that citrus bergamot may help decrease cholesterol levels.
2. May Reduce Blood Sugar
Research indicates that citrus bergamot benefits the body by balancing blood sugar.
Elevated blood sugar, known as