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Safety Information added
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Overview

What is bitter orange?

What are bitter orange’s main benefits?

What are bitter orange’s main drawbacks?

How does bitter orange work?

Dosage information

A recommended dosage is 10-20mg, taken thrice a day.

Acute dosages of 50mg are also frequently used, although not thrice a day.

Safety Information
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Examine Database: Bitter orange

Show Conditions

Health Condition/Goal	Health Outcome	Evidence
General Cardiovascular Health	10 outcomes	7 Studies
Aerobic Exercise Performance	1 outcome	4 Studies
Metabolic Health	11 outcomes	4 Studies
Cycling Performance	1 outcome	3 Studies
Weight Loss & Maintenance	4 outcomes	3 Studies
Exercise Recovery	1 outcome	1 Study
Anaerobic Exercise Performance	3 outcomes	1 Study
Mood Improvement	7 outcomes	1 Study
Muscle Size & Strength	1 outcome	1 Study

General Cardiovascular Health

10 outcomes

7 Studies

Aerobic Exercise Performance

1 outcome

4 Studies

Metabolic Health

11 outcomes

4 Studies

Cycling Performance

1 outcome

3 Studies

Weight Loss & Maintenance

4 outcomes

3 Studies

Exercise Recovery

1 outcome

1 Study

Anaerobic Exercise Performance

3 outcomes

1 Study

Mood Improvement

7 outcomes

1 Study

Muscle Size & Strength

1 outcome

1 Study

General Cardiovascular Health

Aerobic Exercise Performance

Metabolic Health

Cycling Performance

Weight Loss & Maintenance

Exercise Recovery

Anaerobic Exercise Performance

Mood Improvement

Muscle Size & Strength

Research FeedRead all studies

Does synephrine boost weight loss and improve body composition?

In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, supplementation with synephrine had no effect on body weight or body composition, but it resulted in a small increase in blood pressure after around 8 weeks of use.

Can lavender and bitter orange reduce anxiety and agitation in ICU patients?

Frequently asked questions

Is bitter orange considered a performance-enhancing supplement for athletes?

Does bitter orange help with weight loss?

Does bitter orange increase blood pressure?

What are other names for Bitter orange?

Update History

Safety Information added
major

Research written by

Marina Shkayeva

Edited by

Conni Covington

Reviewed by

Giulia Guerrini, Katie Jantz & Louie Neri

FAQ and database update
major

Research written by

Gregory Lopez & Marina Shkayeva

Edited by

Natalka Roshak

Reviewed by

Marina Shkayeva

References

Examine Database References

Appetite - Stohs SJ, Preuss HG, Keith SC, Keith PL, Miller H, Kaats GREffects of p-synephrine alone and in combination with selected bioflavonoids on resting metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate and self-reported mood changesInt J Med Sci.(2011 Apr 28)
Blood Pressure - Penzak SR, Jann MW, Cold JA, Hon YY, Desai HD, Gurley BJSeville (sour) orange juice: synephrine content and cardiovascular effects in normotensive adults.J Clin Pharmacol.(2001-Oct)
Blood Pressure - Shara M, Stohs SJ, Smadi MMSafety evaluation of p-synephrine following 15 days of oral administration to healthy subjects: A clinical study.Phytother Res.(2018-Jan)
Blood Pressure - Bui LT, Nguyen DT, Ambrose PJBlood pressure and heart rate effects following a single dose of bitter orangeAnn Pharmacother.(2006 Jan)
Blood Pressure - Min B, Cios D, Kluger J, White CMAbsence of QTc-interval-prolonging or hemodynamic effects of a single dose of bitter-orange extract in healthy subjectsPharmacotherapy.(2005 Dec)
Blood Pressure - Ratamess NA, Bush JA, Stohs SJ, Ellis NL, Vought IT, O'Grady EA, Kuper JD, Hasan SB, Kang J, Faigenbaum ADAcute cardiovascular effects of bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) consumed alone and in combination with caffeine in human subjects: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study.Phytother Res.(2018-Jan)
Blood Pressure - Shara M, Stohs SJ, Mukattash TLCardiovascular Safety of Oral p-Synephrine (Bitter Orange) in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Cross-over Clinical Trial.Phytother Res.(2016-May)
Blood Pressure - Koncz D, Tóth B, Bahar MA, Roza O, Csupor DThe Safety and Efficacy of (Bitter Orange) Extracts and -Synephrine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients.(2022-Sep-28)
Blood Pressure - Kaats GR, Miller H, Preuss HG, Stohs SJA 60day double-blind, placebo-controlled safety study involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract.Food Chem Toxicol.(2013-May)
Hematocrit - Bush JA, Ratamess NA, Stohs SJ, Ellis NL, Vought IT, O'Grady EA, Kuper JD, Kang J, Faigenbaum ADAcute hematological and mood perception effects of bitter orange extract (p-synephrine) consumed alone and in combination with caffeine: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study.Phytother Res.(2018-Aug)
Weight - Greenway F, de Jonge-Levitan L, Martin C, Roberts A, Grundy I, Parker CDietary herbal supplements with phenylephrine for weight loss.J Med Food.(2006)
Carbohydrate Oxidation - Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Del Coso JEffects of p-Synephrine and Caffeine Ingestion on Substrate Oxidation during Exercise.Med Sci Sports Exerc.(2018-Sep)
Carbohydrate Oxidation - Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Ruiz-Moreno C, Del Coso JAcute p-synephrine ingestion increases whole-body fat oxidation during 1-h of cycling at Fatmax.Eur J Nutr.(2020-Oct)
Carbohydrate Oxidation - Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Del Coso JAcute p-synephrine ingestion increases fat oxidation rate during exerciseBr J Clin Pharmacol.(2016 Aug)
Carbohydrate Oxidation - Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Aguilar-Navarro M, Ruiz-Moreno C, Muñoz A, Amaro-Gahete FJ, Posada-Ayala M, López-Samanes Á, Del Coso J, Varillas-Delgado DEffect of -Synephrine on Fat Oxidation Rate during Exercise of Increasing Intensity in Healthy Active Women.Nutrients.(2022-Oct-17)
Carbohydrate Oxidation - Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Del Coso J, Aguilar-Navarro M, Varillas-Delgado D, Ruiz-Moreno C, López-Samanés Á, Amaro-Gahete FJ, Muñoz ADoes the Time of Day Play a Role in the Acute Effect of -Synephrine on Fat Oxidation Rate during Exercise in Women? A Randomized, Crossover and Double-Blind Study.Nutrients.(2022-Nov-26)
Sprint Performance Metrics - Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Salinero JJ, Abían-Vicen J, Areces F, Lara B, Gallo C, Puente C, Del Coso JAcute consumption of p-synephrine does not enhance performance in sprint athletes.Appl Physiol Nutr Metab.(2016-Jan)
Blood Pressure - Benjamim CJR, Júnior FWS, Porto AA, Rocha ÉMB, Santana MD, Garner DM, Valenti VE, Bueno Júnior CRBitter Orange Intake Before Submaximal Aerobic Exercise Is Safe for Cardiovascular and Autonomic Systems in Healthy Males: A Randomized Trial.Front Nutr.(2022)
Carbohydrate Oxidation - Ratamess NA, Bush JA, Kang J, Kraemer WJ, Stohs SJ, Nocera VG, Leise MD, Diamond KB, Campbell SC, Miller HB, Faigenbaum ADThe Effects of Supplementation with p-Synephrine Alone and in Combination with Caffeine on Metabolic, Lipolytic, and Cardiovascular Responses during Resistance Exercise.J Am Coll Nutr.(2016)

Bitter orange

Recent updates

Safety Information addedmajor

Overview

What is bitter orange?

What are bitter orange’s main benefits?

What are bitter orange’s main drawbacks?

How does bitter orange work?

Dosage informationMedical disclaimer

Safety InformationNew

Examine Database: Bitter orange

Research FeedRead all studies

Frequently asked questions

Is bitter orange considered a performance-enhancing supplement for athletes?

Does bitter orange help with weight loss?

Does bitter orange increase blood pressure?

What are other names for Bitter orange?

Update History

Safety Information addedmajor

FAQ and database updatemajor

References

Examine Database References

Examine Database References

Examine Database: Bitter orange

Safety Information added
major

Dosage information

Safety Information
New

Safety Information added
major

FAQ and database update
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