Bergamot tea is made by combining black tea and bergamot orange extract. Some of the claimed health benefits of bergamot tea include improved heart health and digestion, but research is limited.
Bergamot tea is also called Earl Grey. Keep reading to learn more about this tea, including its potential benefits and side effects, as well as how to make it.
Bergamot tea is typically made from black tea leaves and the fruit of the Citrus bergamia tree.
The tea leaves are either sprayed with bergamot extract or essential oil, or mixed with dried bergamot rinds, giving the tea a mild citrus-like taste.
You can find bergamot tea in most grocery stores — with or without caffeine, additional ingredients, and other flavorings.
The plant compounds in bergamot may provide a variety of health benefits. However, studies have focused on bergamot essential oil, juice, or supplements as opposed to tea.
Bergamot is rich in beneficial plant compounds known as polyphenols. It contains flavonoids including:
- neoeriocitrin
- neohesperidin
- naringin
These polyphenols act as antioxidants, which
Bergamot tea’s high concentration of many different types of antioxidants may make it especially beneficial to your health.
May boost heart health
Bergamot tea may improve certain risk factors for heart disease. Bergamot products are associated with lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
A 2019 review of 12 studies found that, in 75% of the studies, bergamot significantly decreased:
- total cholesterol
- triglycerides
- LDL cholesterol
Additionally, some of the studies included in the review found that bergamot increased levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
The study also suggests that bergamot could enhance the effects of traditional cholesterol-lowering medications.
Based on these results, drinking bergamot tea may benefit your heart health. However, more studies are needed.
May aid digestion
The flavonoids in bergamot tea may fight inflammation associated with digestive issues.
A 2023 study found that bergamot polysaccharides relieved symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in mice. It also improved the gut microbiota of the mice and reduced inflammation.
A 2024 study suggests that bergamot may reduce intestinal inflammation and fight H. pylori bacteria, which are associated with stomach ulcers and other stomach diseases.
While these results indicate that the combined effects of bergamot could benefit digestion, more robust studies are needed to examine the effects of bergamot tea in humans.
While bergamot tea in moderate amounts (2-3 cups per day) is generally considered safe for healthy people, there may be some risks associated with overconsumption.
Additionally, tea contains compounds called tannins, which
Since most bergamot teas contain caffeine, be careful about your intake if you experience jitters, anxiety, or other adverse effects. You can also switch to a decaf version.
It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet. If you have anemia, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting to drink tea, as it may affect your body’s ability to absorb enough iron.
Bergamot tea is widely available and typically sold under the name Earl Grey.
To enjoy it, simply steep a bergamot tea bag in boiled water for 3–5 minutes, or longer for a stronger flavor, before drinking.
You can also make bergamot tea with loose tea leaves. For every cup (250 ml) of hot water, use one tablespoon (14 grams) of tea. Let it steep for 5 minutes, and strain it before drinking.
Bergamot tea, or Earl Grey, is made from black tea and bergamot citrus extract.
Compounds in bergamot may act as antioxidants, promote healthy digestion, and lower your cholesterol levels. However, no studies have assessed the effects of bergamot tea specifically.
Earl Grey is widely available in supermarkets and specialty tea stores, but shopping online may offer a greater variety.
