Citrus bergamot and berberine are two traditional medicines often compared to one another due to their similar health effects, particularly for cholesterol and blood sugar regulation.
In order to make the best decision, read our entire article to see the similarities and differences between citrus bergamot vs. berberine, as well as which one is most effective.
We also dig into the benefits of taking citrus bergamot and berberine together, as well as our top supplement recommendation called Berbercol, which combines both herbs into one fantastic formula for heart health.
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Citrus Bergamot Overview:
Citrus bergamot (Citrus bergamia), also known as bergamot orange or sour orange, is a citrus fruit that has been used in traditional medicine for many years. It is native to a southern region in Italy known as Calabria.
Traditionally, citrus bergamot was used for fevers and parasitic diseases. Modern research shows that citrus bergamot has many benefits, such as for cholesterol and blood sugar.
Citrus bergamot is also specifically used to make Earl Grey tea, which is made by combining black tea leaves and bergamot oil extracted from the rind.
Below is an overview of the primary health benefits of citrus bergamot.
1. May Improve Cholesterol Levels
Citrus bergamot has been proven to improve cholesterol levels, according to many clinical trials. This is arguably the most well-researched benefit of citrus bergamot.
For example, one clinical trial found that citrus bergamot supplementation significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, while also increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Another clinical study showed that citrus bergamot flavonoids greatly improved cholesterol profiles, including reductions in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, alongside an increase in HDL cholesterol.
These are just two of several clinical trials which all show the health benefits of citrus bergamot for cholesterol.
Researchers have discovered that citrus bergamot improves cholesterol by inhibiting the HMG Coa-reductase enzyme, which ultimately leads to less cholesterol produced. Moreover, citrus bergamot is able to help remove cholesterol from the blood, inhibits LDL oxidation, and offers general anti-inflammatory effects.
2. May Lower Blood Sugar
Citrus bergamot also appears effective for lowering blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity.
One clinical trial on individuals with type 2 diabetes found that supplementing with citrus bergamot extract led to a significant decrease in blood sugar compared to the placebo.
Another clinical study on obese adults with high blood sugar and metabolic syndrome showed that c