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The Supplement Research Compendium
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Citrus Bergamot

Citrus bergamia

Citrus polyphenols studied mainly for lowering cholesterol.

Moderate evidence 🫀Heart & Metabolic

✚ Updated · How we grade evidence

Evidence tier
Moderate
Research weight
Citations
8 verified / 8
Classification
Heart & Metabolic
❝
What the evidence says. Graded moderate: a 2022 meta-analysis of 14 RCTs found large reductions in LDL, triglycerides and total cholesterol, but the effect sizes are dominated by trials of one proprietary extract from a few largely industry-linked Italian groups, heterogeneity is high, and the most independent RCTs show smaller effects (~9–12% LDL drop). (Moderate evidence: Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent.)

What is Citrus Bergamot?

Citrus Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a heart and metabolic supplement used for lower ldl cholesterol. NutriDex grades the human evidence as Moderate. Bergamot is the citrus whose peel flavors Earl Grey tea; supplements use a polyphenol-rich extract of the fruit. Its flavonoids brutieridin and melitidin structurally resemble statins and appear to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. A 2022 meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials reported pooled drops of about 64 mg/dL in total cholesterol, 55 mg/dL in LDL and 75 mg/dL in triglycerides, plus a ~6 mg/dL rise in HDL. Those numbers are unusually large and heavily weighted by trials of one proprietary extract (BPF) from a small cluster of Italian researchers; heterogeneity is high. More independent RCTs are more modest: a 2024 trial saw LDL fall 11.5% over 4 months, and an older-adult trial showed limited effect. Glucose and HbA1c generally did not change. Bergamot is plausibly useful, especially for statin-intolerant people, but the evidence is not yet high-quality or independent enough to call strong.

Purported Benefits

✓Lower LDL cholesterol
✓Lower triglycerides
✓Raise HDL modestly
✓Support for statin-intolerant patients

Evidence by outcome

The same supplement can be well-proven for one use and unproven for another — here is the human evidence graded outcome by outcome.

OutcomeEvidenceEffectStudies
Lower LDL cholesterolMany RCTs + meta-analysis agree on LDL drop, but largest effects rely on one proprietary extract from a single Italian group; independent trials more modest (~11%). Moderate ↑ benefit · moderate 6
Lower triglyceridesConsistent TG reduction across RCTs and meta-analysis, but high heterogeneity and reliance on a few extracts limit confidence. Moderate ↑ benefit · moderate 3
Raise HDL cholesterolPooled rise is small (~6 mg/dL) and dose-dependent in early trials; effect modest and not independently robust. Preliminary ↑ benefit · small 3
Improve glucose / HbA1cThe 2024 double-blind RCT found glucose and HbA1c unchanged despite lipid improvements. Preliminary — no effect · negligible 1

Dosing & Compounds

Typical Dose
500–1,500 mg/day of standardized bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) or ~150 mg flavonoids, taken with meals for 8–12+ weeks.
Active Compounds
BrutieridinMelitidinNaringin / neohesperidinNeoeriocitrin

Safety & Cautions

Bergamot is generally well tolerated at 500–1,500 mg/day; side effects are mostly mild GI upset, heartburn, or muscle cramps, and rare allergic reactions. Like grapefruit it contains furanocoumarins (e.g. bergamottin) that inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, so it can raise blood levels of CYP3A4-metabolized drugs — including certain statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin), calcium-channel blockers, some sedatives and immunosuppressants. Because it lowers lipids and may modestly affect glucose, use caution with antidiabetic and other lipid-lowering drugs, and theoretical additive bleeding risk means caution with anticoagulants. Avoid in pregnancy/breastfeeding due to limited data, and consult a clinician before combining with prescription medications. Educational only — always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Citrus Bergamot with any medicine.

Citrus Bergamot drug interactions

Known or theoretical interactions between Citrus Bergamot and common medications — educational, not exhaustive. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Citrus Bergamot with any medicine.

Monitor
Statins (cholesterol drugs)
Citrus bergamot lowers cholesterol and may add to statins; usually fine but monitor lipids.
Bergamot flavonoids reduce cholesterol synthesis/absorption, an effect additive to statins. Bergamot for high cholesterol — clinical review (PMC)
Monitor
CYP3A4 drugs (some statins, CCBs, immunosuppressants)
As a citrus product, bergamot may mildly affect CYP3A4-metabolized drug levels; monitor for side effects.
Citrus furanocoumarins can inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, modestly raising levels of some CYP3A4 substrates. Bergamot for high cholesterol — clinical review (PMC)

Key Studies

Meta-analysis Sadeghi-Dehsahraei 2022 ✓ PubMed
Meta-analysis of 14 RCTs: bergamot cut LDL ~55, triglycerides ~75 and total cholesterol ~64 mg/dL, and raised HDL ~6 mg/dL; calls for higher-quality trials.
Systematic review Lamiquiz-Moneo 2019 ✓ Full text
Systematic review of bergamot on human lipid profile: consistent lipid-lowering signal but notes small samples and reliance on a few extracts.
RCT Pierdomenico 2023 ✓ PubMed
Combined in-vitro and human study: bergamot extract improved lipid profile, supporting an HMG-CoA-reductase-linked, statin-like mechanism.
RCT Spina 2024 ✓ PubMed
4-month double-blind RCT (n=64): 150 mg/day bergamot flavonoids cut total cholesterol 8.8% and LDL 11.5% and raised HDL 5.5%; glucose/HbA1c unchanged.
RCT Rondanelli 2021 ✓ Full text
12-week RCT (n=64 overweight/obese): bergamot phytosome significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue, total and LDL cholesterol vs placebo.
RCT Toth 2015 ✓ PubMed
6-month study (n=80): BPF and phytosome lowered total cholesterol (~262→196), LDL (~175→116) and triglycerides, and reduced small-dense LDL and carotid IMT.
RCT Cai 2017 ✓ PubMed
12-week RCT in older dyslipidemic adults: CitriCholess bergamot extract modestly improved cholesterol and body weight vs placebo.
RCT Mollace 2011 ✓ PubMed
237 hyperlipidemic patients, 30 days BPF 500–1000 mg/day reduced total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and raised HDL dose-dependently.
8 sources cited · 8 verified Search all studies on PubMed ↗

Common questions about Citrus Bergamot

What is Citrus Bergamot used for?

Citrus Bergamot is most often taken for Lower LDL cholesterol, Lower triglycerides, Raise HDL modestly, Support for statin-intolerant patients. Citrus polyphenols studied mainly for lowering cholesterol.

Does Citrus Bergamot work — what does the evidence say?

Moderate evidence. Several controlled trials; effects real but modest or context-dependent. Bergamot is the citrus whose peel flavors Earl Grey tea; supplements use a polyphenol-rich extract of the fruit. Its flavonoids brutieridin and melitidin structurally resemble statins and appear to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. A 2022 meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials reported pooled drops of about 64 mg/dL in total cholesterol, 55 mg/dL in LDL and 75 mg/dL in triglycerides, plus a ~6 mg/dL rise in HDL. Those numbers are unusually large and heavily weighted by trials of one proprietary extract (BPF) from a small cluster of Italian researchers; heterogeneity is high. More independent RCTs are more modest: a 2024 trial saw LDL fall 11.5% over 4 months, and an older-adult trial showed limited effect. Glucose and HbA1c generally did not change. Bergamot is plausibly useful, especially for statin-intolerant people, but the evidence is not yet high-quality or independent enough to call strong.

What is the typical dose of Citrus Bergamot?

500–1,500 mg/day of standardized bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) or ~150 mg flavonoids, taken with meals for 8–12+ weeks.

Is Citrus Bergamot safe? Any cautions or side effects?

Bergamot is generally well tolerated at 500–1,500 mg/day; side effects are mostly mild GI upset, heartburn, or muscle cramps, and rare allergic reactions. Like grapefruit it contains furanocoumarins (e.g. bergamottin) that inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, so it can raise blood levels of CYP3A4-metabolized drugs — including certain statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin), calcium-channel blockers, some sedatives and immunosuppressants. Because it lowers lipids and may modestly affect glucose, use caution with antidiabetic and other lipid-lowering drugs, and theoretical additive bleeding risk means caution with anticoagulants. Avoid in pregnancy/breastfeeding due to limited data, and consult a clinician before combining with prescription medications.

How many studies support Citrus Bergamot?

NutriDex cites 8 sources for Citrus Bergamot, graded "Moderate".

Does Citrus Bergamot interact with any medications?

Yes — known or theoretical interactions include: Statins (cholesterol drugs) (monitor), CYP3A4 drugs (some statins, CCBs, immunosuppressants) (monitor). This is educational and not exhaustive; always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining Citrus Bergamot with any medicine.

Cite this page
APA

Peh, D. (2026). Citrus Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Evidence. NutriDex — The Supplement Research Compendium. Retrieved 26 Jun 2026, from https://nutridex.info/s/citrus-bergamot

BibTeX
@misc{nutridex_citrus_bergamot,
  author       = {Peh, Daryl},
  title        = {Citrus Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects \& Evidence},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {NutriDex --- The Supplement Research Compendium},
  url          = {https://nutridex.info/s/citrus-bergamot},
  note         = {Reviewed by Dr Daryl Peh, MBBS Singapore, MMed FM. Accessed 2026-06-26}
}

For medical claims, citing the underlying primary studies linked above is preferred. NutriDex is an educational reference, not medical advice.

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