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Effect of Citrus bergamia Supplementation on Body Composition in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

  • 2026-01-22
  • Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity 27(7)
    • Carmelo Pujia
    • Yvelise Ferro
    • Alberto Castagna
    • Elisa Mazza
    • Samantha Maurotti
    • Francesca Rita Noto
    • Valeria Rizzo
    • Tiziana Montalcini
    • Arturo Pujia

Study Design

Type
Review
Population
adults (≥ 18 years) with overweight and obesity
Methods
systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs); searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until October 2024; inclusion criteria: RCTs, intervention duration ≥ 4 weeks
Duration
intervention duration of ≥ 4 weeks; subgroup analysis for periods of ≤ 12 weeks
Funding
Unclear
This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to assess the effect of nutraceuticals containing Citrus bergamia on the management of obesity in adults by assessing measures related to obesity. We searched the following databases until October 2024: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The inclusion criteria were RCTs involving adults (≥ 18 years), the use of nutraceuticals containing C. bergamia, and an intervention duration of ≥ 4 weeks. Data extraction focused on weight loss, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat percentage, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool. Out of 966 reports, 11 RCTs were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The pooled results, using a random-effects model, showed that C. bergamia supplementation significantly decreased body weight (SMD: -0.64; 95% CI: -1.15, -0.13; p = 0.01; I2 = 90%), body mass index (SMD: -0.85; 95% CI: -1.35, -0.35; p = 0.0008; I2 = 90%), and waist circumference (SMD: -0.41; 95% CI: -0.65, -0.16; p = 0.001; I2 = 49%). However, no significant effect of bergamot-containing nutraceuticals was observed on the other body composition parameters analyzed. Subgroup analysis suggested that bergamot intake significantly changed anthropometric parameters for periods of ≤ 12 weeks, at dosages of ≤ 600 mg/day, and among participants with overweight and obesity. Overall, the current meta-analysis suggests that nutraceuticals containing C. bergamia show promise in the prevention and management of obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42023465541 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=465541).

Research Insights

  • Bergamot→Reduced Body Fat Percentage

    However, no significant effect of bergamot-containing nutraceuticals was observed on the other body composition parameters analyzed.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Bergamot→Reduced Body Mass Index

    body mass index (SMD: -0.85; 95% CI: -1.35, -0.35; p = 0.0008; I2 = 90%)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
  • Bergamot→Reduced Body Weight

    C. bergamia supplementation significantly decreased body weight (SMD: -0.64; 95% CI: -1.15, -0.13; p = 0.01; I2 = 90%)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Bergamot→Reduced Waist Circumference

    waist circumference (SMD: -0.41; 95% CI: -0.65, -0.16; p = 0.001; I2 = 49%)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Bergamot→Reduced Waist-to-Hip Ratio

    However, no significant effect of bergamot-containing nutraceuticals was observed on the other body composition parameters analyzed.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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