Bergamonte®

Bergamonte® is the only bergamot extract researched and patented for promoting healthy blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

Bergamonte is a branded extract of bergamot orange made by HP Ingredients. This Italian fruit has a history of use in promoting cardiovascular health. As reviewed here, Bergamonte has several advantages over plain bergamot supplements, such as:

• Patented to support healthy blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
• Standardized. Supplies precise active polyphenol levels to ensure quality and efficacy.
• Clinically Researched. Human studies provide scientific evidence for Bergamonte’s efficacy.

Overview

Bergamonte is a patented extract of bergamot, an orange-like fruit originating from Southern Italy. Bergamot is edible and used to to add flavor to teas and even tobacco. Furthermore, bergamot essential oil is frequently used in perfume and skincare products.

More importantly, bergamot juice is known for its health-supportive properties, especially for cardiovascular wellness.

Compared to basic bergamot extracts, Bergamonte is standardized to contain over 38% of bio-active flavonoids found in bergamot, including naringin, neohesperidin, neoeriocitrin, 1% melitidin, and 2% brutieridin. Research on these isolated compounds and their combination suggests  they can help:

• Maintain healthy cholesterol levels and glucose levels
• Fight atherosclerosis
• Promote a healthy body weight

As a result, Bergamonte is one of the most popular dietary supplements for supporting cardiovascular health.

The Science Behind Bergamonte

Research suggests that the extract works through mechanisms such as:

• Inhibiting HMG-CoA Reductase. This enzyme helps the liver produce cholesterol; by reducing its activity, melitidin and brutieridin can reduce blood cholesterol levels.
• Inhibiting Phosphodiesterases (PDEs). PDE4 and PDE3B enzymes play an important role in glucose and lipid metabolism. As such,  suppressing their activity can help control blood lipid and glucose levels.
• Activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is an enzyme that regulates blood glucose levels, lipid metabolism, and energy production. Bergamonte increases AMPK activation, which helps reduce fat accumulation, control glucose, and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation in the cardiovascular system.

Bergamot oranges are similar normal oranges but have a lime-like color. According to genetic research, bergamot is most likely a hybrid of lemon (Citrus limon) and bitter orange (Citrus aurantium).

Bergamonte Patents

Preparation & Use

Bergamonte’s patented preparation process:

1. Peeled bergamot fruit is ground to create a mixture
2. Enzymes remove the mixture’s pectin
3. Enzyme inactivation and filtration produce a clarified solution
4. The solution’s polyphenols are isolated
5. Multi-stage processing produces a dry finished extract

This patent also protects the use of the resulting extract for promoting healthy blood lipid & glucose levels, treating inflammatory and degenerative skin conditions, and reducing pain and inflammation (US patent 0110223271).

Bergamonte Nutritional Supplement Uses

Cardiovascular health supplements frequently utilize Bergamonte as their key ingredient. In these products, Bergamonte is typically mixed with other natural compounds shown to promote a healthy lipid profile, such as berberine.

First and foremost, these supplements help reduce elevated levels of cholesterol and other blood lipids – one of the main cardiovascular risk factors. Consequently, they may also have ward off ward off atherosclerosis, and lower blood glucose levels – the central characteristic of diabetes.

Bergamonte Brand Advantages

Compared to basic bergamot extracts, this branded bergamot ingredient offers:

• Standardization. Bergamonte supplies precise levels of active ingredients.
• Research Evidence. Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) – the gold standard of clinical research – back the extract’s efficacy.

Bergamonte Research

Human Research

Clinical trials report reductions in blood cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels, as well as increases in HDL cholesterol.

Bergamonte (1000 mg) appears to improve cholesterol in people with hyperlipidemia

This randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the lipid-lowering effects of bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF). A total of 77 people with elevated triglyceride and LDL-C levels (hyperlipidemia) took placebo, rosuvastatin (lipid-lowering drug) at 10 or 20 mg, Bergamonte (1000 mg), or Bergamonte plus rusovastatin (1000 mg + 10 mg) daily for 30 days. Both BPF groups experienced improvements of total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

• In conclusion, researchers reported that “Addition of BPF to rosuvastatin significantly enhanced rosuvastatin-induced effect on serum lipemic profile compared to rosuvastatin alone.” ¹

Bergamonte (1000 mg) appears to improve blood cholesterol and glucose levels

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the lipid-lowering and glucose-lowering effects of bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF). A total of 237 people with hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, or metabolic syndrome took placebo, BPF 500 mg, or 1000 mg. Both BPF groups experienced significant improvements in total cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose.

• The researchers concluded that “BPF, given orally for 30 days to both rats and patients, reduces total and LDL cholesterol levels (an effect accompanied by elevation of cHDL), triglyceride levels and by a significant decrease in blood glucose.” ²

Bergamonte’s support for balanced blood sugar and cholesterol levels may contribute to overall cardiovascular health.

Bergamonte (1300 mg) appears to improve cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors

This randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) in people with metabolic syndrome and non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A total of 107 people took placebo or BPF (650 mg) twice daily for 120 days. Only the BPF group experienced a significant reduction of fasting blood glucose, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol,  triglycerides, an increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and improvement of liver steatosis.

• In conclusion, researchers reported “This suggests a potential preventive role of bergamot derivatives in reducing cardiometabolic risk.” ³

Bergamonte Dosage

• Single and multi-ingredient supplements usually supply about 500 mg
• Human studies most commonly use 1000 mg doses