The present paper reports a sustainable raw material obtained from the by-products derived from the industrial production of bergamot (Citrus × Bergamia Risso & Poiteau) essential oils. The procedure to obtain the raw material is designed to maintain as much of the bioactive components as possible and to avoid expensive chemical purification. It consists of spray-drying the fruit juice obtained by squeezing the fruits, which is mixed with the aqueous extract of the pulp, i.e., the solid residue remained after fruit pressing. The resulting powder bergamot juice (PBJ) contains multiple bioactive components, in particular, among others, soluble fibers, polyphenols and amino-acid betaines, such as stachydrine and betonicine. LC-MS analysis identified 86 compounds, with hesperetin, naringenin, apigenin and eridictyol glucosides being the main components. In the second part of the paper, dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity of PBJ and of stachydrine was found, but neither of the compounds were effective in activating Nrf2. PBJ was then found to be effective in an in vivo model of a metabolic syndrome induced by a high-sugar, high-fat (HSF) diet and evidenced by a significant increase of the values related to a set of parameters: blood glucose, triglycerides, insulin resistance, systolic blood pressure, visceral adipose tissue and adiposity index. PBJ, when given to control rats, did not significantly change these values; in contrast, they were found to be greatly affected in rats receiving an HSF diet. The in vivo effect of PBJ can be ascribed not only to bergamot polyphenols with well-known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid-regulating effects, but also to the dietary fibers and to the non-phenolic constituents, such as stachydrine. Moreover, since PBJ was found to affect energy homeostasis and to regulate food intake, a mechanism on the regulation of energy homeostasis through leptin networking should also be considered and deserves further investigation.

The excessive consumption of diets rich in sugar and fat is associated with metabolic manifestations involving adipose tissue and the liver. Bergamot, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been used to treat metabolic disorders. This work aimed to verify the effect of Bergamot leaves extract (BLE) on the crosstalk in the adipose tissue–liver axis of obese rats. For 20 weeks, Wistar rats were distributed into two groups: control (Control) and high sugar–fat (HSF) diet groups. Afterwards, the animals were redistributed into three groups for 10 weeks: control diet + vehicle (Control, n = 08), HSF + vehicle (HSF, n = 08), and HSF + BLE (HSF + BLE, n = 08). The BLE was carried out daily by gavage (50 mg/kg). The HSF group presented obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, hepatic microvesicular steatosis, higher inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver and adipose tissue. In comparison to the HSF group, HSF + BLE animals showed protection by reducing the triglyceride levels, insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress in hepatic and adipose tissues. BLE acted on the inflammation and oxidative stress in the adipose tissue–liver axis in obese rats when compared to the HSF group, which may have reflected on the improvement of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

The high consumption of simple carbohydrates and saturated fat is associated with a positive energy balance and fat accumulation. This scenario has been co

Astaxanthin (AX), a naturally occurring xanthophyll carotenoid, has attracted growing scientific interest due to its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulatory properties. This review provides a critical appraisal of the current evidence regarding the nutraceutical potential of AX in muscle metabolism, exercise adaptation, and obesity management. Preclinical and clinical findings indicate that AX enhances lipid utilization, promotes mitochondrial biogenesis through AMPK activation, and improves endurance and muscle strength, particularly among older adults. Moreover, AX mitigates exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage, thereby supporting recovery and physiological adaptation. In obesity models, AX reduces adipose tissue inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, and modulates adipokine secretion, suggesting a multifaceted role in metabolic syndrome prevention. Despite robust preclinical data, human trials remain limited and often yield inconsistent outcomes, highlighting the need for well-designed, long-term clinical studies. Emerging evidence highlights the importance of optimized delivery strategies to enhance AX bioavailability and mitochondrial targeting. Nanoemulsions, liposomes, and lipid-based carriers improve stability, absorption, and tissue distribution, thereby potentiating AX’s effects on mitochondrial function and exercise adaptation. Overall, AX emerges as a promising nutraceutical candidate for enhancing muscle function, supporting exercise performance, and managing obesity-related metabolic disease, with delivery innovations representing a critical frontier for future translational applications.