Common cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. Statins may also help the body reabsorb cholesterol that has built up in plaques on your artery walls, preventing further blockage in your blood vessels and heart attacks. But statins can have unpleasant side effects as well, including muscle aches and weakness. Recently, it has been discovered by scientists that an extract from a citrus fruit called bergamot, commonly known as a flavoring in Earl Grey tea, can lower cholesterol with minimal side effects. It also boosts good cholesterol, reduces fatty deposits in the liver and lowers blood sugar. Much of the work on Bergamot is done by Italian researchers closely associated with a company that sells the extract. Bergamot fruit is rich in flavonoids which might be a possible reason for its beneficial effects. The fruits also show antioxidant activity responsible for therapeutic activity. Scientists believe that further studies and a number of human studies are needed to be done to prove its efficacy and derive a definite conclusion.

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