Bergamot
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia (Bergamot Orange)) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 649 participants, researched for Cholesterol & Lipid Management, Blood Sugar & Anti-inflammatory.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cholesterol & Lipid Management
ModerateBlood Sugar & Anti-inflammatory
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cholesterol & Lipid Management
C. bergamia extract for cholesterol and lipid metabolism management
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
C. bergamia extract for cholesterol and lipid metabolism management
Dose
500mg bergamot extract twice daily
Participants
80 adults with mild-moderate hypercholesterolaemia
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced total cholesterol by 25.7%, LDL by 36%, TG by 30.6%; HDL increased by 22%. Improvements comparable to low-dose statin therapy.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, ApoB
Systematic evaluation of bergamot effects on lipid parameters in humans
Study Type
Systematic review of human trials
Purpose
Systematic evaluation of bergamot effects on lipid parameters in humans
Dose
Various bergamot preparations
Participants
Systematic review of clinical trials
Duration
Various
Results
Multiple clinical trials confirm bergamot reduces total cholesterol and LDL. AMPK function and PCSK9 expression modulated by polyphenol components.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG across clinical trials
Review of bergamot for reducing cholesterol and cardiovascular disease markers
Study Type
Clinical application review
Purpose
Review of bergamot for reducing cholesterol and cardiovascular disease markers
Dose
Various (500-1500mg/day)
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Strong evidence for cholesterol reduction. Polyphenol fraction (brutieridin, melitidin, hesperidin, naringenin) provides multi-pathway cholesterol reduction via HMGCR and PCSK9 modulation.
How They Measured It
Review of clinical trials measuring cardiovascular risk markers
Bergamot polyphenolic fraction combined with rosuvastatin for hyperlipidaemia
Study Type
Statin adjunct clinical trial
Purpose
Bergamot polyphenolic fraction combined with rosuvastatin for hyperlipidaemia
Dose
1000mg bergamot polyphenols + 10mg rosuvastatin
Participants
77 hyperlipidaemia patients
Duration
30 days
Results
Combination produced significantly greater LDL reduction than rosuvastatin alone. LOX-1 expression reduced. Synergistic cardioprotective mechanism identified.
How They Measured It
LDL, LOX-1 expression, protein kinase B phosphorylation
Blood Sugar & Anti-inflammatory
Bergamot extract on metabolic syndrome components including glucose
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
Bergamot extract on metabolic syndrome components including glucose
Dose
500mg bergamot extract daily
Participants
95 metabolic syndrome adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, and waist circumference. Comprehensive metabolic syndrome improvement confirmed.
How They Measured It
FBS, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, waist circumference
Cholesterol-lowering mechanism of bergamot in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells
Study Type
Cholesterol mechanism study
Purpose
Cholesterol-lowering mechanism of bergamot in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells
Dose
Various polyphenol fractions
Participants
HepG2 and Caco-2 cell lines
Duration
N/A
Results
Brutieridin and melitidin identified as statin-like compounds with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity. AMPK-dependent pathway confirmed.
How They Measured It
HMGCR activity, LDL receptor expression, cholesterol synthesis pathway
Antioxidant effects of bergamot polyphenols in humans
Study Type
Antioxidant clinical study
Purpose
Antioxidant effects of bergamot polyphenols in humans
Dose
1g bergamot extract daily
Participants
40 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significantly increased serum antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative stress markers. Multiple flavonoids contribute to antioxidant activity.
How They Measured It
Serum antioxidant capacity (FRAP, DPPH), MDA, 8-OHdG
Bergamot polyphenols for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Study Type
NAFLD study
Purpose
Bergamot polyphenols for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Dose
650mg bergamot extract daily
Participants
60 NAFLD patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced liver fat content and ALT in NAFLD patients. AMPK activation and PPAR-alpha upregulation as primary hepatic mechanisms.
How They Measured It
Liver fat (MRI-PDFF), liver enzymes, metabolic markers
Bergamot extract on blood pressure and endothelial function
Study Type
Hypertension pilot trial
Purpose
Bergamot extract on blood pressure and endothelial function
Dose
500mg/day bergamot extract
Participants
45 stage 1 hypertensive adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BP and improved endothelial function. Polyphenol-mediated nitric oxide enhancement proposed as mechanism.
How They Measured It
24-hour ABPM, endothelial function
Anti-inflammatory effects of bergamot polyphenols via NF-kB and MAPK
Study Type
Anti-inflammatory mechanism study
Purpose
Anti-inflammatory effects of bergamot polyphenols via NF-kB and MAPK
Dose
500mg bergamot extract
Participants
In vitro and animal model
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Significantly reduced inflammatory markers via NF-kB and MAPK inhibition. Complements lipid-lowering activity in overall cardiovascular protection.
How They Measured It
CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, NF-kB activation
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bergamot research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Bergamot (Citrus bergamia (Bergamot Orange)), involving 649 total participants. Research covers Cholesterol & lipid management, Cardiovascular protection, Blood sugar support and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Bergamot has been researched for: Cholesterol & lipid management, Cardiovascular protection, Blood sugar support, Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
Similar Supplements
Other supplements researched for similar health goals
