Updated March 9th, 2025. Can a citrus fruit naturally lower cholesterol levels? While it's true that eating more fruits and vegetables is generally associated with reduced cholesterol and better health, what about a specific type of fruit? Bergamot -also called citrus bergamot – is a type of orange that has been getting attention for its potential to reduce cholesterol and be heart-healthy. There is some human research on this fruit, too. So, in this review, let's look at the human research on Bergamot lowering cholesterol and try to help you decide if it's right for you.
Bergamot Research Quick Reference Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Human clinical trials exist | Most studies don't contain large numbers of people |
| Several studies show it works | Some clinical trials have problems |
| Bergamot is relatively inexpensive | Not all studies show it effective |
| Results may be seen in just 30 days | Possible side effects |
What Is Citrus Bergamot?
Bergamot is a type of orange primarily grown in Italy, but as its popularity increases, it may start being cultivated in other regions as well. Its scientific name is Citrus bergamia, though you might also see it listed as Citrus bergamia Risso.
In the U.S., it's commonly just called “bergamot.” You may recognize its flavor from Earl Grey tea, which contains bergamot extract. However, the amount found in tea is likely too low to have a meaningful effect on cholesterol levels.
Bergamot And Cholesterol Research
Research suggests that citrus bergamot can reduce cholesterol levels. Let's focus only on human studies. This will be the most useful since we are all people.
Study (Mollace et al. 2011)
Researchers in Italy published a study that involved 237 people with elevated lipid levels. The people were followed for 30 days and divided into 3 primary groups:
➡️ Group A received 500 mg of bergamot per day before meals.
➡️ Group B received 1000 mg of bergamot per day before meals.
➡️ Group C received a placebo before meals.
Results
Researchers noted bergamot caused a “strong reduction” in total cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol). In all three groups, both 500 mg and 1000 mg reduced LDL cholesterol significantly bettween 23% and 33%. The 1000 mg dose worked better than the 500 mg dose. No significant changes were seen in those getting the placebo (that's good).
A significant reduction in triglycerides was also seen.
A fourth group (group D) included people who had to stop taking their statin medications because of muscle pain. They were given 1500 mg of bergamot per day. This group showed a 25% reduction in total cholesterol and a 27.6% reduction in LDL cholesterol. No negative side effects were reported.
| Group | Subgroup | Bergamot (mg/day) | Initial Cholesterol | Cholesterol ↓ (%) | Initial LDL (mg/dL) | LDL ↓ (%) | HDL ↑ (%) |
| A (104 patients) | A1 | 500 mg | 254 mg/dL | -20.70% | 172 mg/dL | -23.00% | 25.90% |
| A2 | 1000 mg | 260 mg/dL | -30.90% | 178 mg/dL | -38.60% | 39.00% | |
| Placebo | 0 mg | 252 mg/dL | -0.40% | 170 mg/dL | -1.70% | 0.50% | |
| B (42 patients) | B1 | 500 mg | 268 mg/dL | -21.90% | 180 mg/dL | -25.30% | 17.30% |
| B2 | 1000 mg | 270 mg/dL | -27.70% | 185 mg/dL | -33.40% | 35.80% | |
| Placebo | 0 mg | 267 mg/dL | -0.50% | 182 mg/dL | -0.50% | -1.30% | |
| C (59 patients) | C1 | 500 mg | 278 mg/dL | -24.70% | 188 mg/dL | -26.80% | 16.50% |
| C2 | 1000 mg | 278 mg/dL | -28.10% | 188 mg/dL | -33.20% | 29.60% | |
| Placebo | 0 mg | 276 mg/dL | 0.50% | 187 mg/dL | -0.90% | 2.90% | |
| D (32 patients) | Statin intolerant | 1500 mg | 260 mg/dL | -25.00% | 180 mg/dL | -27.60% | 23.80% |
Bergamot was also reported to improve vasodilation of the blood vessels. In other words, the blood vessels open up more easily to allow for better blood flow.
Bergamot Research Video
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Study (Gliozzo et al. (2013)
Italian researchers conducted another investigation where 77 people with hyperlipidemia were given 1000 mg of bergamot with or without rosuvastatin (Crestor) for 30 days. Results showed significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides while, at the same time, raising HDL.
| Group | Cholesterol Before | Cholesterol After | LDL Before | LDL After | Triglycerides Before | Triglycerides After | % ↓ in LDL | % ↓ in Triglycerides | % ↑ in HDL |
| Placebo | 278 | 275 | 191 | 190 | 238 | 235 | -0.5 | -1.3 | 0 |
| Rosuvastatin 10 mg | 278 | 195 | 191 | 115 | 238 | 200 | -39.8 | -16 | 10.5 |
| Rosuvastatin 20 mg | 278 | 174 | 191 | 87 | 238 | 202 | -54.5 | -15.1 | 26.3 |
| BPF 1000 mg | 278 | 191 | 191 | 113 | 238 | 165 | -40.8 | -30.7 | 18.4 |
| BPF 1000 mg + Rosuvastatin 10 mg | 278 | 172 | 191 | 90 | 238 | 152 | -52.9 | -36.1 | 36.8 |
| Lipids amounts are in mg/dl | |||||||||
| BPF = Bergamot |
From this table, it can be seen that:
✅ The average total cholesterol for those using 1000 mg of bergamot dropped 31.3%, from 278 to 191 mg/dl
✅ LDL in those taking 1000 mg was reduced 40.8% from an average of 191 to 113 mg/dl (40.8% decrease)
✅ Triglyceride levels dropped 30.7% from 238 to 165 mg/dl
✅ HDL increased 18.4% from 38 to 45 mg/dl
📌 Additionally, bergamot + Crestor acted synergistically, delivering even better results
✅ Total Cholesterol declined 38%, with a reduction from 278 to 172 mg/dl
✅ LDL was reduced 52.9%, declining from 191 to 90 mg/dl
✅ Triglycerides dropped 36.1% being reduced from 238 to 152 mg/dl
Study (Toth et al. 2016)
Researchers in the US and Italy published a 6 six-month investigation involving 80 men and women (average age 55) who had moderately high cholesterol levels. Everyone was given 150 mg of a supplement called Bergavit. The Bergavit supplement, made by an Italian company called BioNap (BioNap.com) contains the following raw berganot flavonoids:
1️⃣ 24 mg of neoericocitrin
2️⃣ 70.5 mg neohesperidin
3️⃣ 55.5 mg naringin
Results
After 6 months, the Bergavit supplement:
✅ Lowered total cholesterol by 12%
✅ Lowered LDL by 20%
✅ Reduced triglycerides by 17%
✅ Raised HDL by 8%
✅ Reduced thickness in the carotid arteries
Keep in mind that there was no placebo group.
Study (Perna et al 2019)
In this review of 20 clinical trials, ranging from 30 days to 6 months, bergamot extract was shown to be effective at
- Reducing total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides when used at doses of 150 mg to 1000 mg daily.
- Elevating HDL
- Lowers blood pressure (2% to 10% bergamot essential oil topically or inhaled)
- Works synergistically with statin drugs.
Keep in mind that many of the studies contain small numbers of people. Additionally, in some studies, authors may be affiliated with companies that make bergamot supplements.
Can Bergamot Help Weight Loss?
Study (Rondanelli et al. 2021)
In this investigation, researchers recruited 64 overweight men and women with mildly elevated cholesterol. They were given either a placebo or 1000 mg of bergamot phytosome a day for 3 months.
Bergamot phytosome contains bergamot polyphenols encased in lecithin to improve bioavailability. People took one 500 mg capsule of bergamot phytosome with breakfast or another capsule with dinner.
Results
✅ While the placebo group saw no changes, the supplement resulted in the following:
✅ Significant 7.8% % reductions in total cholesterol (245 reduced to 225 mg/dl)
✅ Significant 11% reduced LDL (156 reduced to 139 mg/dl)
✅ Significant 14.5% reduction in visceral body fat (2.3 lbs reduced to 1.96 lbs)
‼️No significant reduction in body weight
According to this clinical trial, bergamot phytosome may help people shed visceral fat but not help with shedding excess body weight.
Not All Studies Are Positive
Not all studies have found bergamot to be effective. For example, Italian researchers tested 500 mg of bergamot on 28 people (24 completed the study) who were taking antipsychotic medications. After 60 days, there was no change in cholesterol or LDL levels.
However, this study had several limitations:
- ‼️It was an open-label study, meaning both the participants and researchers knew who was taking the supplement. While this isn't a major issue since no effects were found, it’s still a weakness.
- ‼️The dose used (500 mg) was on the lower end of what some studies suggest might be effective.
- ‼️There didn’t appear to be a placebo group for comparison.
- ‼️The participants were taking antipsychotic medications, which could have influenced the results.
These same researchers published a very similar study that same year. This study involved 15 people who were taking anti-psychosis drugs. The difference in this trial was that these people were given 1000 mg of bergamot daily for 30 days.
Results show a “statistically significant reduction of body weight.” Oddly, there was no change in cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides or any other blood parameter tested. One big problem with this study was that it involved only 15 people – and again, they were taking antipsychotic drugs.
Bergamot And Cholesterol Research Summary
Here's a quick breakdown of what research has noted:
- ✅ Reduced total cholesterol
- ✅ Reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol
- ✅ Reduced triglycerides
- ✅ Elevated HDL (good) cholesterol
- ✅ Vasodilation of blood vessels
The amounts of citrus bergamot needed to achieve these results ranged from 500 to 1000 mg daily. Results were seen in as little as 30 days.
How Does Bergamot Work?
Citrus bergamot contains flavonoids, a type of plant nutrient that can block an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase—the same enzyme targeted by statin drugs to lower cholesterol. However, unlike statins, research so far hasn’t linked bergamot to side effects like muscle pain or rhabdomyolysis (“rhabdo”).
Animal studies also suggest that bergamot helps the body get rid of cholesterol by increasing its excretion in the feces, providing another possible way it supports heart health.
Bergamot And CoQ10?
If bergamot works by knocking out the enzyme HMG-CoA, like cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins do, does that mean it should be taken with CoQ10 supplements as is sometimes recommended for people who take statins?
Not necessarily. Research has not shown that bergamot causes muscle pain as statins can. If that's the case, then CoQ10 supplements may not be needed. If anyone has experienced muscle pain, leave a comment below.
Does It Contain Synephrine?
Bergamot is different than synephrine (citrus Aurantium / bitter orange), a stimulant found in some weight loss supplements. To be clear, bergamot is not citrus Aurantium. There is no synephrine in bergamot. So, it should not increase heart rate or blood pressure like bitter orange can.
What About Bergamot Oil?
Bergamot oil is different than the citrus bergamot supplements we are talking about here. The oil refers to essential oils that are either inhaled in a diffuser or placed on the skin. Citrus bergamot usually refers to supplements that are taken orally. While preliminary research has hinted at a possible blood pressure lowering effect, inhaling the essential oils will probably not have the same cholesterol-lowering effects as supplements.
Which Supplement Is Best?
There are many different supplements available. Some products combine bergamot with other ingredients like vitamin C, resveratrol, red yeast rice, or CoQ10. Companies sometimes add other ingredients to their supplements in the hopes of getting better results. That said, in many of the studies showing effectiveness only used bergamot.
If it doesn't work, a couple of things to take a look at include:
- Aged Garlic Extract (read review)
- Metamucil (read review)
- Apple cider vinegar (read review).
How To Lower Cholesterol
Bergamot vs. Cholesterol 360
Cholesterol 360 is a popular supplement for elevated cholesterol levels. Cholesterol 360 contains bergamot as well as other ingredients like vitamin C and green tea. So far, no studies have compared Cholesterol 360 to bergamot alone. For more insights, see:
Bergamot Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
The supplement appears safe in healthy people. In the human studies summarized above, there were no serious side effects. The most common side effect reported was mild heartburn. Here are some general things to consider for those who are thinking of trying this supplement.
‼️ If you take ANY medications, talk to your doctor/pharmacist. Bergamot contains Bergamottin, a compound that may interfere with how medications break down in the body.
This is sometimes called the grapefruit effect because grapefruit also contains a compound called bergamottin that can interfere with an enzyme (called cytochrome P450 enzyme) that helps us break down medications. The bergamot orange also has this compound.
Disrupting this enzyme may lead to some drugs being broken down to fast and others not fast enough. Either way, this might be a problem. If you take medications, speak to your doctor/pharmacist first. This is the smartest thing you can do.
- ➡️ Speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- ➡️ Start with less than recommended for the first week to see how you react.
- ➡️ Stop taking the supplement at least two weeks before surgery.
- ➡️ Bergamot might reduce blood sugar levels. This could be an issue for diabetics or those with hypoglycemia.
- ➡️ If you experience any odd side effects while taking the supplement, stop taking it and speak to your doctor/pharmacist.
Does Bergamot Work?
Based on the research and its low risk of side effects, citrus bergamot could be worth trying if you have high cholesterol, LDL, or triglycerides. Before starting a supplement, get a blood test to check your current lipid levels.
Talk to your doctor about your plan and ask if they recommend a specific brand. Then, take the supplement for a month and follow up with another blood test. If bergamot is effective for you, research suggests you should see improvements within that time.
Here's Citrus Bergamot brands on Amazon