A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study to Assess the Effect of Bergamot Juice on LDL Cholesterol Level in Healthy Subjects

Cardiovascular diseases (CV) are the first cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Hypercholesterolemia is the main CV risk factor: high cholesterol values are directly and linearly correlated with CV events and mortality in the absence of a threshold value. Intervention studies show unequivocally how the decrease in cholesterol levels significantly reduces CV risk. Bergamot juice is considered a possible food with nutraceutical activity, especially as regards the control of blood cholesterol levels. It is now known that bergamot juice has chemical components that can positively affect blood cholesterol levels. These compounds are called 3-hydroxy-3-methyl flavonoids (HMG-flavonoids) and are peculiar to some citrus plants and in particular to the Citrus bergamia species. The aim of this study is to provide clinical evidence of the effect of these metabolites on cholesterol levels. Specifically, a single-centre, randomized (1:1), open label, controlled study is conducted in healthy subjects to evaluate the possible lipid-lowering effects at 12 weeks of 400 cc/die of bergamot juice consumption compared to a free diet. Changes in the following parameters: body mass index (BMI kg/m²), waist circumference, glycemia, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and Proprotein convertase subtilisin / kexin type 9 (PCSK9) are also investigated at 12 weeks.