FRI: Bergamot leaf extract protects against liver obesity
Brazilian researchers from the University of São Paulo and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul have discovered that bergamot leaf extract (Citrus bergamia) can restore metabolic balance and protect the liver in cases of obesity. The study was published in Food Research International.
In the experiment, laboratory rats with induced obesity were given bergamot leaf extract for several weeks. By the end of the study, the animals showed improved lipid metabolism: total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased, while “good” HDL cholesterol increased. Additionally, the rats lost weight and overall fat mass.
Biochemical analysis showed that bergamot has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It reduces reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines in liver cells, preventing the development of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, one of the main complications of obesity.
The authors emphasize that bergamot leaf extract could be a promising natural agent for the prevention of metabolic disorders. The next step will be clinical trials in humans to determine optimal dosages and confirm long-term safety.
