It has an effect on blood glucose because of the direct effect on the “energy receptor” on the cell surface. Apart from the brain, for glucose to enter the cells – and, in particular, the muscles – it has to enter via a receptor which I term the “energy receptor”. Insulin is the doorman that opens the door, to facilitate the entry of glucose and other nutrients into the cells. In people with metabolic syndrome characterised by a tendency to diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, abdominal obesity and cardiovascular disease, the energy receptor is partially jammed and the only way the body can respond to this is by making more insulin to enter into the cell. Bergamot acts directly on this receptor to facilitate it opening, and thus allow more sugar to enter the cell. This is probably why it also helps to reduce blood pressure and increase HDL.
