Evidence supporting the use of: Bitter orange
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is sometimes included in dietary supplements marketed as athletic and exercise aids, mainly due to its content of synephrine, a compound structurally related to ephedrine. After the U.S. FDA banned ephedra-containing supplements in 2004 due to safety concerns, bitter orange became a popular alternative for purported enhancement of energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and weight loss—effects that are sometimes linked to improved exercise performance or body composition.

There is limited scientific evidence to support its use as an athletic or exercise aid. Small-scale clinical studies have shown that bitter orange (alone or in combination with caffeine) can modestly increase resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure. However, the evidence for direct improvements in exercise performance, endurance, or strength is weak or lacking. Most studies are short-term, involve small cohorts, and often include other stimulants, making it difficult to isolate the effects of bitter orange itself. Systematic reviews, such as those by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), conclude that there is insufficient high-quality evidence to confirm a benefit for exercise performance or athletic enhancement.

Safety is also a concern, as synephrine may increase heart rate and blood pressure, especially when combined with other stimulants. Overall, while there is some preliminary scientific rationale for the inclusion of bitter orange in athletic supplements, the quality and quantity of evidence supporting its efficacy are low.

More about Bitter orange
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Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids

7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha d-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
l-alanine
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-citrulline
l-glutamine
l-glycine
l-leucine
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-tyrosine
l-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
peppermint oil
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
watermelon
whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
yerba mate
algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-2-ene
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Arachidonic Acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
Bicarbonate
Beef Protein
Bovine Protein
Bulbine natalensis
Ba Ji Tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Casein
Cardarine
Capsinoids
Citrate malate
Capsiate
Creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
Dihydrocapsiate
Deer Velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
Elk antler
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
Ephedrine
glucose
Isoleucine
Ketone Salts
Milk Protein
Quinoa Protein
salt
yohimbine

Products containing Bitter orange

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.