Q: I’d like to know about using citrus bergamot to lower cholesterol. It seems to work. Are there side effects?
A: Bergamot is a citrus fruit (Citrus bergamia) native to southern Italy. Over the past decade or so, scientists have published numerous studies indicating that polyphenol-rich bergamot extract can lower total and LDL cholesterol levels (Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2020).
Some trials also show benefits in lowering triglycerides and raising HDL cholesterol. Bergamot compounds act on lipids through different pathways than statins (Nutrients, Sept. 10, 2021).
Consequently, this natural product may be an option for people who don’t do well on statins. In a randomized controlled trial, a combination of bergamot and artichoke extract lowered blood lipids significantly better than placebo (Nutrients, Dec. 27, 2021).
There are few reports of side effects, although in one study some volunteers experienced heartburn (Integrative Food, Nutrition and Metabolism, March 2019).
In laboratory research, scientists found that bergamot oil might be phototoxic (Central European Journal of Public Health, September 2016). That is, tissues exposed to bergamot might be especially susceptible to damage from UV light.
You can learn more about lowering blood lipids with and without statins in our eGuide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health. This online resource is available under the Health eGuides tab at PeoplesPharmacy.com.
