The researchers reported that participants with impaired fasting blood glucose who took the supplement for six months improved their cholesterol and triglyceride levels and normalized their glucose levels.
“The combination of ingredients with different mechanisms of action can be considered a valuable strategy for improving impaired fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles,” wrote researchers from Italy, Pakistan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and China.
They noted that the supplement may be beneficial for individuals “who are not eligible for conventional hypoglycemic therapy”.
Chromium has been extensively studied for its beneficial role in managing blood sugar. The trace element activates intracellular signaling pathways, enhancing insulin sensitivity and cholesterol metabolism.
The flavonoids present in extracts from lemon and red grapes include hesperidin, resveratrol, and quercetin. These compounds have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in previous studies.
The researchers noted that the effects of combining all these ingredients on glucose management have not yet been investigated. Thus, they explored this as a food supplement composed of constituents allowed under current European regulations.
“The promising findings on total and LDL cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides suggest a potential application of this supplement in subjects with borderline dyslipidemia,” they wrote.
“This is particularly noteworthy in the current context, where the need for safe and effective nutraceutical alternatives to red yeast rice is growing, due to European regulatory restrictions and safety concerns related to monacolin K content.”
Study details
Researchers randomly assigned 62 adults with impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG levels ranging from 100 to 125 mg/dL) to receive two daily tablets containing Citrus limon L. Osbeck and Vitis vinifera L. extracts, and 250 μg of chromium picolinate or a placebo, for six months in combination with an isocaloric diet.
The supplement contained a minimum of 10% flavonoids from Mediterranean lemons and 4% anthocyanins from red grapes and was supplied by ESSERRE Pharma srl.
The researchers measured biochemical parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as markers of liver and kidney functionality, at baseline and after three and six months.
The findings revealed that the food supplement normalized fasting blood glucose after three months, and the measurements stayed significantly lower than placebo until the end of the study. HbA1c, triglyceride levels, and the HOMA index were lower in the treatment group than in the placebo group. Additionally, HDL cholesterol levels increased and LDL levels decreased between baseline and three months in the treatment group.
There were no significant effects for anthropometric measurements such as BMI and waist circumference.
The researchers called for larger, longer-term studies to confirm their results and investigate the potential of the food supplement to manage impaired blood glucose regulation.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1671102. “Impact of a food supplement containing Citrus limon L. Osbeck and Vitis vinifera L. extracts, hesperidin and chromium in combination with an isocaloric diet on glucose and lipid metabolism in subjects with impaired fasting blood glucose: a single-center, controlled, randomized, parallel-arm, double-blind clinical trial.” Authors: A. Di Minno et al.
