Citrus Bergamot Extract: Benefits, Dosage and Safety
Citrus bergamot is an Italian citrus fruit whose juice and peel are rich in flavonoids such as naringin, neoeriocitrin and brutieridin. Small, mostly Italian trials suggest bergamot polyphenol extracts may modestly lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and raise HDL. Larger independent trials are lacking. It is often paired with berberine, which has more evidence for cholesterol and blood sugar.
Last reviewed 2026-10-17. Educational information, not medical advice.
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Check price on AmazonWhat is Citrus Bergamot Extract?
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a sour citrus fruit grown mainly in Calabria, southern Italy. Its peel oil flavours Earl Grey tea and perfumes; supplements instead use extracts of the juice and albedo, concentrated in polyphenols (the "bergamot polyphenol fraction").
Bergamot is unusually rich in flavanones. Some, such as brutieridin and melitidin, have a structure that in lab studies may inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the same enzyme that statins block, although far more weakly.
Bergamot supplements are not the same as bergamot essential oil, which should not be swallowed and can make skin sensitive to sunlight.
Typical uses
LDL cholesterol
Several small randomized trials, many from one research group in Italy, reported LDL cholesterol reductions of roughly 10–25% with 500–1,000 mg per day of bergamot polyphenol extract over 1–3 months. A meta-analysis found a significant but variable effect and called for larger, independent trials.
Triglycerides and HDL
The same trials often reported lower triglycerides and modestly higher HDL cholesterol.
Blood sugar and fatty liver
Some studies reported small improvements in fasting glucose and in markers of fatty liver. These findings are preliminary.
People who cannot take statins
Bergamot is often tried by people who do not tolerate statins. It is far less proven than statins or other prescription drugs and should not replace them without medical advice.
How strong is the evidence?
- LimitedLDL cholesterol. Small RCTs, mostly one research group.
- LimitedTriglycerides and HDL. Consistent direction, small studies.
- InsufficientBlood sugar and fatty liver. Preliminary data.
- InsufficientHeart attacks and strokes. No outcome trials.
Typical doses
| Context | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bergamot polyphenol fraction (capsules) | 500–1,000 mg per day | Range used in most trials, often split before meals. |
| Liquid extracts and drops | Follow the label | Polyphenol content varies widely; check the standardization. |
- Effects on cholesterol in trials were measured after 30–90 days; recheck your lipids with your doctor after about 3 months.
- Look for extracts standardized to bergamot polyphenols or flavonoids (for example 38–40%).
- Combination products with olive leaf, berberine or plant sterols contain different amounts of bergamot per capsule.
Safety, side effects and interactions
Safety
- Bergamot extract was well tolerated in trials lasting up to a few months.
- Reported side effects include heartburn, stomach upset and muscle cramps.
- Bergamot may lower blood sugar; people with diabetes should monitor glucose.
- Long-term safety has not been studied.
Interactions
- Statins and other cholesterol drugs: may add to cholesterol lowering; use together only with your doctor.
- Diabetes medicines: possible additive blood sugar lowering.
- Bergamot juice contains furanocoumarins like grapefruit (e.g. bergamottin), which can affect drug metabolism. Extracts vary, so ask a pharmacist if you take medicines with a grapefruit warning.
Who should avoid it or ask a doctor first
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not enough safety data.
- People with a history of low blood sugar.
- Do not swallow bergamot essential oil.
Citrus bergamot with berberine
Berberine, a compound from plants such as barberry and goldenseal, has more clinical evidence than bergamot: meta-analyses show it lowers LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose, typically at 500 mg two or three times daily. It works partly by increasing LDL receptors in the liver, a different mechanism from bergamot.
That is why some products combine the two. Small studies of combinations suggest added effects on lipids, but the combination itself has not been tested in large trials.
Berberine commonly causes digestive side effects (constipation, diarrhoea, cramping), lowers blood sugar and interacts with many medicines, including ciclosporin, metformin and drugs metabolised by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. It should not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding or given to newborns. Ask your doctor before combining it with prescription drugs.
Frequently asked questions
Can citrus bergamot replace statins?
No. Statins have strong evidence for preventing heart attacks and strokes. Bergamot has only small studies on cholesterol numbers. Do not stop a prescribed statin without medical advice.
How long does bergamot take to lower cholesterol?
Trials reported changes after 30–90 days. Get a lipid test after about 3 months to see whether it works for you.
Is bergamot the same as Earl Grey tea?
Earl Grey is flavoured with bergamot peel oil. The cholesterol studies used polyphenol extracts from the juice and peel, in much larger amounts than tea provides.
Should I take bergamot or berberine?
Berberine has more evidence for lowering LDL and blood sugar but more side effects and drug interactions. Bergamot is gentler but less proven. Discuss options with your doctor, especially if you take medication.
Is bergamot safe with blood pressure medicine?
No major interaction is known, but data are limited. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any supplement you take.
Choosing a Citrus Bergamot Extract supplement
- Choose an extract standardized to bergamot polyphenols, with the milligrams per capsule listed.
- For drops and blends, check how much actual bergamot extract each serving provides.
- Prefer brands with third-party testing and the fruit’s origin (Calabria) stated.
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