What is Bergamot?

Discover the Citrus Gem.

What is Bergamot?

Bergamot is a small, pear-shaped citrus fruit renowned for its unique and aromatic qualities. Native to the sunny regions of Southern Italy, particularly the Calabria region, bergamot has captivated the world with its delightful fragrance and diverse uses.

Appearance and Characteristics

Bergamot fruit is roughly the size of an orange but boasts a distinctive yellow or greenish-yellow colour when ripe. Its thin skin is slightly bumpy and fragrant, encapsulating a juicy, acidic pulp. However, what truly sets bergamot apart is its intoxicating scent – a vibrant blend of citrus, floral, and spicy notes that make it an essential component in perfumery.

Culinary Uses

Beyond its aromatic allure, bergamot offers a tangy and complex flavor profile. It is a key ingredient in the creation of the beloved Earl Grey tea, lending its citrusy brightness to this classic brew. Additionally, bergamot zest and juice can be employed in various culinary creations, from enhancing the flavors of desserts to infusing a zesty twist into sauces and marinades.

Aromatherapy and Essential Oil

Bergamot essential oil is prized in the world of aromatherapy. Its calming and mood-lifting properties make it a popular choice for alleviating stress and anxiety. The refreshing scent of bergamot can help create a soothing atmosphere in your home or workspace.

Health Benefits

In traditional medicine, bergamot has been utilised for its potential health benefits. It is believed to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used to address various health concerns, including skin conditions and digestive discomfort.

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Reduces blood sugar levels and the control of diabetes

If you are at risk of diabetes, with pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome, Bergamot Juice has been shown to lower blood glucose levels by 15-2596.
By activating AMPK (a central regulator of energy, involved in the metabolism of glucose and fatty acids), it can improve insulin sensitivity, promote glucose uptake in cells and suppress synthesis of glucose in the liver - lowering blood sugar levels.

Helps to keep arteries healthy and blood pressure down

It is believed that the beneficial aspects of Bergamot Juice in being able to reduce lipids in the blood can help to suppress inflammation, inhibit plaque formation and can contribute to improved arterial health.
This anti-hypolipidemic capability may possibly assist in preventing hardening of the arteries - a precursor to heart attack and stroke. Another benefit from all of this is
that Bergamot Juice may be able to help you to maintain lower levels of blood pressure.

Works just like a statin

Bergamot Juice contains relatively rare neceriocitrin and nechesperidin and, as recently discovered, rare brutieridin and melitidin that mimic the actions of a moderate dose of pharmaceutical statin, such as 10mg Rosuvastatin.
This important scientific discovery of Bergamot Juice acting like a natural statin has since been patented and published in leading scientific journals, leading to considerable interest by the international scientific community.
It confirms the therapeutic value of Bergamot Juice in reducing LDL (bad cholesteroll and increasing HDL (good cholesterol) that also protects the liver.

High in Vitamins

Bergamot juice contains very high levels of Vitamin C, B1 and B2, as well as Vitamins A and E- and, just like other members ofthe citrus family, it has high levels of flavonoids.

Bergamot Juice's unique profile of flavonoids contains flavanones and flavones - and, even more fascinating, is that careful analysis has shown it has the highest percentage content ofVitamin C from amongst any of the 42 species of citrus fruits.

More benefits of Vitamin C

Because of its high Vitamin C content, Bergamot Juice may assist with calcium absorption that helps to strengthen bones and teeth.
It also appears to help with muscle spasms and cramps, anaemia caused by poor iron absorption - even congestion in the liver.

Where does Bergamot come from?

Bergamot - Citrus Bergamia Risso - is a citrus fruit that looks like an orange but has the brilliant yellow colouring of a lemon. It has a tart citrus taste, slightly reminiscent of a grapefruit.

Nobody really knows how this genetic mutation has come about, but it's suspected to be a hybrid of Citrus Limetta (sweet lime) and Citrus X aurantium (bitter orange).
The bergamot tree thrives and flourishes on the sundrenched Calabrian slopes along the lonian Coast in Southern Italy - the fruit is named after the Calabrian town of Bergamo.

The History of Bergamot

For over 400 years, the bergamot has been cultivated - not for its fruit - but for the value of its famous "green gold* - its precious rind or peel - used to distil aromatic essential oil.
This is still in demand today by leading perfumiers as a vital element for some of the world's most expensive perfumes.
However, over the past few decades, the fruit has come to prominence for its health and wellbeing properties and is now seen as being even more precious as it begins to disclose its medicinal, health and wellbeing secrets.

Research into Bergamot

More researchers are giving their attention to investigating interesting properties of bergamot - finding that these polyphenols are very potent antioxidants that can protect against tissue damage by free radicals, especially within arteries and blood vessels.
In 2010, studies carried out by the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cosenza in Italy led to the identification of two exclusive elements in Bergamot Juice which have the effect of inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the blood.

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Bergamot Juice can be used to detox

Bergamot Juice helps flush toxins out of the body and is ideal for giving your liver the boost it needs to function at its optimal level.
In particular, the citric acid it contains enhances your body's ability to detox and cleanse itself by flushing unwanted - and potentially harmful - toxins and bacteria out ofthe body.

Lose weight with Bergamot Juice

Bergamot Juice is an effective way to reduce weight, as it can increase the body's metabolic rate.
Drinking it with warm water on an empty stomach every morning can produce effective results. Along with the weight loss benefits, this daily ritual also has numerous other benefits - including helping to keep you regular.

Bergamot is a versatile and captivating fruit that has left its mark on various aspects of our lives, from culinary delights to the world of fragrance and wellness.

Its unique combination of flavor and fragrance has earned it a special place in both our kitchens and our hearts.

Whether you're savoring a cup of Earl Grey tea, enjoying its aromatic presence in a room, or exploring its potential health benefits, bergamot continues to enchant and inspire.

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