Citrus Bergamot
Citrus bergamot capsules and standardised extracts in one place. We explain what a 38% polyphenol standardisation means, how the forms differ, and what you can sensibly expect from taking it daily over several weeks.Read more →
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Bergamot extract: standardisation, forms and honest expectations
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a small green citrus fruit, grown almost entirely along the coast of Calabria in southern Italy. Its juice is far too sour and bitter to drink. Supplements therefore use an extract of the juice and the white inner peel. That extract is rich in flavonoids, plant compounds with names such as naringin, neohesperidin and neoeriocitrin. Two of them, brutieridin and melitidin, appear in bergamot and in almost no other citrus fruit. That is why bergamot is sold as its own ingredient and not as a general citrus extract.
The percentage on the label says more than the milligrams
Most labels show two numbers. One is the amount of extract, for example 500 mg per capsule. The other is the standardisation: the share of bergamot polyphenols in that extract, usually 38%. Standardisation means every batch is measured, so the amount of plant compounds stays the same from bottle to bottle. A big milligram number without a percentage tells you very little, and a label reading "3000 mg" often refers to a fruit equivalent, not to what is in the capsule. Some products name a branded fraction such as BPF, the bergamot polyphenolic fraction used in most published studies. Within the wider group of herbal and plant extracts, bergamot is a young ingredient with a small but growing body of research.
How we choose bergamot at BONO
We judge bergamot on three things: the form, the daily amount and the combination. We prefer extracts that state a polyphenol percentage over vague "fruit powder", because only then can you compare two products fairly. We keep the daily amount close to what has actually been studied, rather than stocking whatever number looks biggest on the shelf. We skip blends where bergamot sits somewhere in a long ingredient list at an unclear amount. Every product passes our compliance team, we test products ourselves and independent labs spot-check batches. You can read how we select brands and products.
Who it suits and what is fair to expect
Bergamot is mostly bought by adults who keep an eye on their blood fats and want a plant option alongside their diet. We will be straight with you here: there is no health claim for bergamot approved by the European food safety authority (EFSA), so we do not promise an outcome, and neither should any shop. What we can offer is a clear product choice and correct information. It is a food supplement, not a replacement for what your GP advises.
In practice, consistency matters more than strength. Most people take capsules with a meal, once or twice a day, and review the routine after two to three months rather than two weeks. If you are weighing up your options, our red yeast rice range is the botanical people most often compare bergamot with, and it works very differently.
Two practical points before you buy. Bergamot essential oil, the perfume and Earl Grey ingredient, is not the same product and is not meant to be swallowed. And if you take prescribed medicines, check with your GP or pharmacist first, because citrus flavonoids can affect how some medicines are processed. You will find bergamot alongside other options in our cholesterol collection, so you can compare before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What is citrus bergamot?
Citrus bergamot is an extract of the fruit Citrus bergamia, a small green citrus grown mainly in Calabria, southern Italy. The fruit itself is too bitter to eat, so supplements use an extract of the juice and the white inner peel. That part is rich in flavonoids, plant compounds including naringin, neohesperidin, neoeriocitrin, brutieridin and melitidin. Brutieridin and melitidin are almost unique to bergamot, which is why it is sold separately from other citrus extracts.
Is a bergamot supplement the same as bergamot essential oil or Earl Grey tea?
No, and the difference matters. Earl Grey is black tea flavoured with bergamot oil from the peel, in tiny amounts. Bergamot essential oil is a concentrated perfume and aromatherapy product, meant for external or aromatic use, not for swallowing. It also contains bergapten, which can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Food supplements use a water-based extract of the juice and albedo instead, standardised for polyphenols and made to be taken by mouth.
Which form of citrus bergamot should I choose?
Most people do well with a standardised capsule. The table below compares what you will find on the shelf.
| Form | What to look for | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Standardised capsule | Stated polyphenol percentage | Daily use, easy to compare |
| Branded BPF extract | Named fraction on the label | People who want the studied extract |
| Fruit powder capsule | Often no percentage given | Least comparable, we avoid it |
| Drops or liquid | Dosing by pipette | People who dislike capsules |
Choose on the percentage first, then on the format you will actually keep taking.
How and when do I take citrus bergamot?
Follow the amount on the label of your product, since extracts differ in strength. Most capsules are taken once or twice a day with food, and many people split them between breakfast and the evening meal. Taking it with a meal is simply kinder on the stomach for a concentrated citrus extract. Timing has no magic to it; the same time each day helps you remember. Keep the daily rhythm rather than doubling up after a missed day.
How long before I should judge whether it does anything?
Give it time. Published studies with standardised bergamot extract usually ran for thirty days up to four months, not one or two weeks. So a fair review point is after two to three months of consistent daily use, ideally with the same diet and routine so you are not guessing at what changed. Nothing you notice day to day tells you much. If your GP monitors blood values, their schedule is the sensible moment to look.
Can I combine citrus bergamot with other supplements?
Yes, and people often do. It is commonly taken alongside omega-3 fatty acids or a plant sterol product, because they are different types of ingredient with different roles. We would avoid stacking several concentrated botanicals aimed at the same thing at once, since you then have no idea what is doing what. Add one product at a time and keep it long enough to form a view. If you take prescribed medicines, ask your pharmacist before combining.
Who should be careful with citrus bergamot?
If you take prescribed medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist first. Citrus flavonoids can influence the enzymes that process certain medicines, which is the same reason grapefruit carries warnings on some prescriptions. Bergamot supplements are also not intended for children, and there is not enough information to recommend them during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you have an existing condition, treat this as an addition to your diet, never as a replacement for treatment your doctor has prescribed.
How do I tell a well-made bergamot extract from a weak one?
Read the ingredient line, not the front of the pack. Three things tell you most. First, a stated polyphenol percentage, typically 38%, so the content is measured per batch. Second, an extract ratio such as 25:1, which shows how concentrated it is; a "3000 mg" claim is often the fruit equivalent, not the capsule content. Third, the plant part used: juice and albedo, not leaf or peel oil. Vague wording usually means an unmeasured product.
