Citrus bergamot

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a citrus fruit. Supplements use standardised extracts rich in flavonoids, often sold as a bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF).

The trials are consistent in direction but small. In 64 people with high cholesterol, a flavonoid extract taken for four months lowered total cholesterol by 8.8% and LDL by 11.5% [1]. In 50 moderately hypercholesterolaemic adults, a whole-fruit extract lowered total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B and fasting glucose over 12 weeks [2]. In older adults with dyslipidaemia, a bergamot formulation lowered LDL and body weight slightly [5]. Standard BPF and a lecithin formulation both lowered glucose, LDL and triglycerides and reduced small, dense LDL particles [6].

Pooled results are more cautious. A 2026 meta-analysis of nine trials (615 people) found small reductions in waist size, systolic pressure, glucose and insulin resistance, and described the trial results as inconsistent [3]. A network meta-analysis of 131 nutraceutical trials ranked bergamot and red yeast rice as the most effective at lowering LDL [4].

In human liver cells, one bergamot extract activated AMPK. It reduced the cells' cholesterol and triglyceride content and lowered the expression of lipid-synthesis genes, including HMGCR (HMG-CoA reductase) [2].

In the four-month trial, weight, blood pressure and liver and kidney markers did not change, which the authors took as good tolerability [1]. Longer safety data is lacking.

In one trial in people with high cholesterol, adding BPF to rosuvastatin lowered LDL further than rosuvastatin alone [7]. That was studied as intended combined therapy. Anyone on a statin should still tell their doctor before adding it.