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

Abstract

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).