According to statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCD) accounted for 71% of the total death toll, and the leading cause of death was still cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (accounting for 44% of all NCDs), and cancer deaths twice as much. The total number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases is expected to exceed 23 million by 2030, and low- and middle-income countries are most likely to be affected by cardiovascular disease deaths, and cardiovascular diseases are also the third leading cause of death in women; and along with hypertension, Factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes are rapidly increasing in today's environment, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease tends to be younger, and patients aged 30-50 are becoming more and more common.
Bergamot (Citrus limon (Linnaeus) Osbeck) is a highly specific citrus cultivar that, despite its Latin name, is very special in its composition. Bergamot is mainly distributed in the province of Reggio Calabria in Italy, which is also the birthplace of the oldest Mediterranean culture. The typical Mediterranean climate has bred unique lemon varieties. For decades, natives have used bergamot juice for cardiovascular health, thanks to its unique and powerful natural compounds not found in other citrus fruits.
According to HPLC analysis, bergamot juice is rich in flavanone compounds represented by eriodictin, naringin, neohesperidin, neodiosmin, etc., and specifically contains statin-like flavonoid glycosides: Brutieridin and Melitidin. This statin-like flavonoid glycoside substance contains a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid group, which is similar to the structure of HMG-CoA, and competitively binds to HMG-CoA reductase, thereby inhibiting the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and lowering cholesterol The resulting metabolic rate hinders cholesterol synthesis.
Modern medicine has shown that bergamot extract has properties such as lowering blood fat, lowering blood sugar, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor. Clinical studies have confirmed that bergamot extract can be used as an alternative treatment for statin-intolerant patients, and can also synergistically enhance the lipid-lowering effect of rosuvastatin. Bergamot has become an attractive ingredient in the food and nutrition industry due to its unique composition.
