Bergamot Extracts for Healthy Blood Lipid Balance: Are They Created Equal?

Introduction

At Truth Full Health, we believe that:

The totality of scientific evidence supporting a supplement ingredient is one of the most important factors in evaluating its potential role in supporting general well-being.

In a previous review, we looked at the overall body of high-quality research—including several clinical trials and a meta-analysis—on bergamot and its potential role in heart and metabolic wellness.*

The available evidence suggested that bergamot may support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Interestingly, the studies didn’t all use the same kind of bergamot extract.

You might be wondering—why could that make a difference?

Different extraction processes can result in different concentrations and types of flavonoids, which are thought to be the main active compounds.

There are also findings from single-arm human studies** of specific bergamot extracts.

These studies are not as strong as RCTs, but they can still provide clues about possible supportive roles.

*We only looked at high-quality studies, including RCTs where bergamot is directly compare to a placebo or to other supplement ingredient(s), looking at blood lipid markers in people. We also reviewed meta-analyses of these RCTs, which combine data across multiple studies to give a big-picture view of the overall evidence.

**Single-arm studies follow one group over time. Because there’s no comparison group, changes seen may be due to chance, lifestyle factors, or other reasons.

 

For this review, we will not revisit the meta-analysis we covered earlier, since it combined results from many different bergamot extracts.

Instead, we will focus on the individual human RCTs and single-arm studies of specific extracts to get a clearer picture.

When it comes to supplement products that include bergamot extracts along with other ingredients, we’ll share just one example.

This is because research in this area is more complex to evaluate and harder to interpret.

To stay within US regulations, we’ll highlight the key takeaways from published studies rather than going into detailed numbers.

We encourage interested readers to talk with your healthcare provider, connect with supplement manufacturers, or explore the original studies.

Ultimately, understanding how studies are designed and what their findings suggest can help all of us make more informed decisions about supplement use.

Here we go.

 

Bergacyn®

Studies

We have found two human RCTs studying Bergacyn that assessed Bergacyn® in relation to blood lipids, including: total cholesterol (TC), LDL “bad cholesterol”, HDL “good cholesterol”, and triglyercides (TG).[1],[2]

How it was studied

Bergacyn® was an equal mix of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF®)* and Cynara cardunculus (CyC) extract, given daily at a total of 300mg.

In other words, Bergacyn® is a bergamot-containing ingredient paired with artichoke extract.**

What did the studies show?

In these trials, no support for healthy blood lipid levels was observed with Bergacyn® compared to placebo.

Why that might be?

Possible explanations include:

• Study duration may have been too short
• Daily dosage may have been too low (300mg/day)
• The percentage (%) of BPF® was not specified
• Small sample size
• Participants’ starting characteristics varied
• Blood lipids were not the primary study objective

At this stage, more evidence is needed to understand whether Bergacyn® plays a role in maintaining normal, healthy blood lipid levels.

*See introduction in the BPF® section below

**Based on available scientific evidence, artichoke alone may help support healthy blood lipid levels

 

Bergavit®

Studies

We have found two human RCTs[3],[4] and one single-arm study[5] that evaluated Bergavit® in relation to blood lipid markers.

How it was studied

Bergavit® consisted of 375mg of bergamot extract containing flavonoids standardized to 150mg, taken daily.

What did the studies show?

RCTs: Over periods of up to 4 months, researchers observed differences in TC and LDL between Bergavit® and placebo groups.

In contrast, no meaningful differences were observed in HDL or TG levels.

Single arm study: Over 6 months, researchers observed changes across blood lipid measures (TC, LDL, HDL, and TG).

However, without a comparison group, results are harder to interpret.

Overall, the available evidence suggests a consistent pattern for support of healthy TC and LDL levels.

Findings for HDL and TG remain inconsistent.

More research will be helpful to clarify Bergavit®’s potential role in maintaining healthy HDL and TG levels.

 

Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF®)

Studies

We have found 4 human RCTs that evaluated BPF® in relation to blood lipids.[1],[6],[7],[8]

How it was studied

BPF® was a purified extract from bergamot fruit standardized to contain 38-40% flavonoids.

Daily doses ranged from 300 to 1,300mg.

What did the studies show?

In the study that used a 300mg daily dose, no changes in blood lipid measures were observed relative to placebo.

In contrast, the 3 studies using 500mg or higher daily doses reported findings suggesting potential support for maintaining normal TC, LDL, and TG levels.

Findings for HDL were less consistent across these studies, and additional research may be needed to clarify its role.

This example suggests that the daily dose studied may influence the results.

 

Citrulism®

Studies

We have found one human RCT that evaluated Citrulism® in relation to blood lipid measures.[9]

How it was studied

Citrulism contained 83.33% bergamot extract that’s standardized to 38% flavonoids, along with 16.67% Tongkat ali root extract (Adapticort®), standardized to 22% eurypeptides and 40% glycosaponins.*

What did the study show?

Researchers did not observe meaningful changes in blood lipid measures with Citrulism® compared with placebo.

*No published human RCT or single-arm studies were found assessing Adapticort®, eurypeptides, or glycosaponins and their possible connection to blood lipid outcomes.

 

Endoberg® / Kalita® (Bergamot Phytocomplex)

Studies

We have found one human RCT that evaluated whether Endoberg® and Kalita® may be linked to blood lipid measures.[10]

How it was studied

Both Endoberg® and Kalita® were standardized bergamot phytocomplex extracts, tested at two daily dosages (Endoberg®: 700mg vs. Katila®: 350mg).

A phytocomplex extract contains a broader spectrum of a plant’s natural compounds.

Publicly available information did not specify the flavonoid concentration in these extracts, which may make the dosage harder to interpret.

What did the study show?

Compared to placebo, researchers observed that Endoberg® was associated with changes in TC, LDL, and TG, while Kalita® was associated with changes in TC and TG.

No meaningful differences in HDL were observed with Endoberg®, and no meaningful differences in LDL or HDL were observed with Kalita®.

Because there is only one study, more research would be useful to confirm these findings.

 

Vazguard®/ Bergamot Phytosome

Studies

We have found two human RCTs studying daily dosing of 1,000mg Vazguard® in relation to blood lipid measures.

How it was studied

Vazguard® contained BPF® extract standardized to about 40% flavonoids, delivered in the Phytosome form, which is intended to “enhance absorption”.

What did the study show?

In both studies, researchers observed consistent differences in TC and LDL compared to placebo, but not in TG or HDL.

It’s worth noting that TG and HDL levels varied widely among participants at the start of the studies, which may have influenced outcomes.

Which is why we’re going to say the magic words again: more data would help clarify the findings for HDL and TG.

 

Bergamonte®

We were unable to find publicly available, peer-reviewed clinical research specifically evaluating Bergamonte® as an ingredient in supplements.

This does not necessarily mean research does not exist, but it may be limited, unpublished, or not easily accessible.

When research is not publicly available, it can be harder for consumers and healthcare professionals to review and understand the evidence.

 

Ratio-Based Bergamot Extracts

Some bergamot supplements use generic “ratio-based” extracts.

These are concentrated forms of bergamot, often described as ratios such as 1:10.

This typically means that one part of extract is derived from multiple parts of the original fruit.

However, ratio claims alone do not tell us the presence or amount of specific active compounds.

Unlike standardized extracts, ratio-based ingredients may vary in composition and consistency from batch to batch.

At this time, we were unable to find clinical studies specifically evaluating generic ratio-based bergamot ingredients as they are commonly marketed.

These products are sometimes marketed with high milligram amounts, such as 2,000 mg or 5,000 mg.

While these numbers may seem impressive, total weight alone does not determine effectiveness.

What matters more is the type and amount of active compounds, as well as the research available to support their use.

Consumers may wish to consider these factors when comparing supplement options.

 

While some products contain bergamot as a single ingredient, others combine it with additional ingredients.

The following is an example.

 

Example: Multi-Ingredient Supplement—CitriCholess®

Studies

One human RCT has evaluated CitriCholess® in relation to blood lipid measures.[11]

How it was studied

Citricholess® contained the following ingredients (daily dosage):

• Bergamot extract (500 mg, 25% bioflavonoids)
• Plant sterol esters and orange oil (820 mg)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (50 mg)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) (20 mg)
• Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) (2000 mcg)
• Folic acid (800 mcg)

Based on scientific literature, bergamot extract and plant sterol esters are the ingredients most often studied in relation to blood lipid measures.

What did the study show?

Researchers did not observe meaningful differences in blood lipid measures between CitriCholess® and placebo after 12 weeks.

There are several possible reasons:

• The total amount of flavonoids from bergamot extract (500mg x 25%) may have been too low
• The total intake of plant sterol esters from CitriCholess® plus diet may have been below the intake (around 2 grams daily) often referenced in national guidelines.[12] It was also unclear how much of the 820 mg listed was actually plant sterols, since the label combined sterols and orange oil
• Participants’ blood lipid levels at the start of study differed from those in other trials
• The number of participants may have been too small to detect change
• It is possible that no effect exists

We would like to see more research to clarify whether CitriCholess® may influence blood lipid measures.

 

Final Words

Bergamot remains a promising ingredient for heart and metabolic wellness, but results vary depending on the extract, dosage and study design.

Some bergamot extracts that did not show changes in blood lipid measures may have been studied at lower doses or in people whose starting blood lipid levels were very different — factors that make comparisons across studies more challenging and highlight the need for further research. 

We encourage readers interested in bergamot supplementation to consult with their healthcare providers, supplement manufacturers, or review the studies directly to make an informed choice.

We’re also here to help point you toward resources if you’d like to learn more.

Happy health-hunting!

 

Sincerely,

Derek Tang, PhD, MS, BSPharm

Truth Full Health

Your Trusted Supplement Partner

 

Disclaimer: All blogged content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Statements made about vitamins or supplements (officially called “dietary supplements”) have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement, diet, or lifestyle program. To comply with FDA and FTC requirements, we summarize published research for general educational purposes only and do not make disease-treatment claims or unsubstantiated statements about any product. We encourage readers to review the cited studies and to contact us with general questions; we cannot provide individualized medical advice.

 

[1] Title: The synergistic effect of Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus extracts on vascular inflammation and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. First author: V. Musolino. Journal: Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Year of publication: 2020.

[2] Title: Randomized clinical trial: Bergamot citrus and wild cardoon reduce liver steatosis and body weight in non-diabetic individuals aged over 50 years. First author: Y. Ferro. Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Year of publication: 2020.

[3] Title: Citrus bergamia Extract, a Natural Approach for Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism Management: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. First author: A Spina. Journal: Foods.
Year of publication: 2024.

[4] Title: Lipid metabolism modulation by a polyphenol-standardized Citrus bergamia extract in an Asian population: findings from a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Year of publication: 2025; not yet peer-reviewed but available online at doi:10.20944/preprints202507.2137.v1

[5] Title: Bergamot reduces plasma lipids, atherogenic small dense LDL, and subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a 6-months prospective study. First author: PP Toth. Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology. Year of publication: 2016

[6] Title: Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: from animal models to human studies. First author: V Mollace. Journal: Fitoterapia. Year of publication: 2011.

[7] Title: Bergamot polyphenolic fraction enhances rosuvastatin-induced effect on LDL-cholesterol, LOX-1 expression and protein kinase B phosphorylation in patients with hyperlipidemia. First author: M Gliozzi. Journal: International Journal of Cardiology. Year of publication: 2013.

[8] Title: Hypoglycemic and hypolipemic effects of a new lecithin formulation of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. First author: V. Mollace. Journal: Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders – Drug Targets. Year of publication: 2019.

[9] Title: An exploratory double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of CitruSlim on body composition and lipid parameters in obese individuals. First author: J Hancke. Journal: Phytotherapy Research. Year of publication: 2021.

[10] Title: Metabolic and vascular effect of a new standardized bergamot phytocomplex: a three-arm, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. First author: F Fogacci. Journal: Archives of Medical Science. Year of publication: 2023.

[11] Title: Effects of 12-week supplementation of Citrus bergamia extracts-based formulation CitriCholess on cholesterol and body weight in older adults with dyslipidemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. First author: Y Cai. Journal: Lipids in Health and Disease. Year of publication: 2017.

[12] National Lipid Association. Plant sterols in food. https://www.lipid.org/sites/default/files/plant_sterols_in_food_final_0.pdf. Accessed March 29, 2026.