Bilberry

Bilberry

Aid Overall Health

Bilberry is the name of a plant that produces bilberries, which is an edible fruit. When used in supplements both the berry and the leaves are used in various products. Bilberry is usually found in Europe, North America and in Asia. It looks much like a blueberry and is even called the blueberry in Europe. If you have ever wondered what a huckleberry is, then you have discovered a secret; the bilberry and the huckleberry are the same thing!

In early history, bilberry was used to treat diarrhea, scurvy and other conditions that involved the stomach. In World War II bilberries were given to soldiers in the UK military in an effort to improve their night vision. Even today many supplements sell bilberry as a way to enhance your night vision, however, studies show that bilberry has no effect on night vision at all. If you see a supplement billing their product for this use, just be aware that it will have no effect on your eyes in this way.

This doesn’t mean that bilberry has no benefit for the eyes. In fact, doctors recommend bilberry for people with problems with their eyes due to diabetes  or high blood pressure. Bilberry fruit are considered a super fruit. Typically, a super fruit is a fruit that is high in antioxidants and flavonols. Bilberry has plenty of both.

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Summary

Bilberry Benefits Before you continue reading, you need to understand that most of the benefits of bilberry are not clinically tested. Many of the assumptions regarding bilberry and its benefits stem from the fact that bilberry has many of the same components that other, well researched, f... more

Bilberry Benefits

Before you continue reading, you need to understand that most of the benefits of bilberry are not clinically tested. Many of the assumptions regarding bilberry and its benefits stem from the fact that bilberry has many of the same components that other, well researched, fruits have.

One aspect where bilberry has been tested is for the benefits it may have for the eyes. As mentioned above, even though it was used for years to improve night vision, studies show that there is no change in the night vision of people who use bilberry.

Other studies do show some benefit to those with high blood pressure and diabetes that have retina problems due to their illness. It is still under study because it is believed that the improvement is due to the bilberry improving circulation, thus reducing this side effect of these health issues.

It is believed that bilberry aids in the prevention or treatment of:

  • Many different types of cancers
  • Cataracts
  • Symptoms from circulatory disorders
  • Diarrhea
  • Glaucoma
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Macular degeneration
  • Varicose veins

Bilberry and How it Works

In order to understand why bilberry is believed to work in so many areas of the human body, you need to understand what makes up the components of the bilberry plant. This will help you to understand why bilberry should work in many of the areas that is purported to work in.

First of all, bilberry is comprised of tannis, carbohydrates, flavonols, phenolic acids and anthocyanosides. The tannis has less than a 10% presence while the carbohydrates make up 30% of the bilberry.

  • Tannis is a phenolic compound but it is also considered an anti-nutrient. What this means is that tannis prevents the body from absorbing certain minerals and can also diminish the body’s iron and calcium  levels. While the effects of tannis can be neutralized by milk and vitamin C, it is important to recognize that too much tannis in the body can create toxicity in the body.
  • The carbohydrates in bilberry are created by natural sugars. What this means for you is that the carbohydrates are more likely to be used for beneficial energy rather than being burned up too fast to be beneficial to your body.
  • The flavonols in bilberry are astragalin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin and guercetin. These flavonols are polyphenolic compounds that are produced by plants, (polyphenolic compounds are antioxidants!). Flavonols have shown in multiple studies to lower the risk of many different types of persistent health conditions. It is believed that all flavonols are chemo protective. What this means is that they all aid in the prevention of cancer by preventing the growth of cancer cells in the body. Why this is simply believed rather than a simple stated fact is that it will take years to test all of the various flavonols for their benefits to the human body.  The more flavonols a plant of fruit has, the more benefits it offers in terms of preventing the growth of cancer cells. Bilberry has four known flavonols.
  • Phenolic acids helps prevent heart disease, stroke and cancer because it prevents oxidative damage when the possibility of chronic disease is present. There is some question about how much the body absorbs phenolic acids so further study is needed to determine the full benefit of this component of bilberry.
  • Anthocyanosides is the means by which bilberry gets its color. In the case of anthocyanosides, the color ranges from all shades of red and violet to blue. The darker red the color is, the more beneficial the fruit is for you.

You might thing that color is all that anthocyanosides have to offer, but the truth is, this is where most of the nutrients in bilberry come from. It is anthocyanins that provide the anti-inflammatory benefits, aids the blood vessels and keeps them healthy, and provides additional antioxidant effects. Anthocyanosides also helps many of the hormones in your bodywork more efficiently through the aid of cyclic AMP.

As you can see, considering all of the properties that bilberry has and what those properties have been proven to add in terms of human health, it is no wonder that bilberry is believed to be an excellent addition to your diet.

Bilberry Side Effects and Availability

There are no known side effects for bilberry. However, because bilberry is 10% tannis, there is a chance that taking too much bilberry can be dangerous. That is why it is important to follow manufacturer instructions if taking a bilberry supplement or eat the daily recommended allowance for different types of fruit.

Bilberry is available in some grocery stores, but it is not available all over the US. If you are interested in bilberry only in its fruit form, you can contact suppliers to have it delivered to you. If you don’t want that expense, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries are excellent alternatives.

If you prefer a supplement, you will find that you can find bilberry supplements at local suppliers. However, if you want more selection and a wider range of prices, then the Internet is a better choice for you.

Bilberry Cost and Concentration

Bilberry supplements are very affordable, starting at around $4 for a bottle. You can purchase bilberry in soft gels, pills, tablets, caplets and liquid. Powder options are also available but they usually consist of bilberry leaf rather than bilberries, although this isn’t always the case. Bilberries have more uses in the body.

If you choose a product that uses bilberries, then you want to ensure that the berries were freeze-dried before use. This ensures that you get the highest concentration of nutrients offered by the bilberry. Never choose a product that has cooked the bilberry first because that removes all the good stuff form the bilberry.

If you are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, you should always ask your doctor before taking this or any other supplements. Always discuss everything you are taking with your doctor, no matter how insignificant it may seem, as this is the best way for your doctor to determine what the best treatment is for whatever condition you may have!

Use the free and handy supplement finder to locate the best Bilberry option now!

Other

  • Side Effects
  • Other Names
  • Uses
Airelle, Arándano, Bilberry Fruit, Bilberry Leaf, Black Whortles, Bleaberry, Blueberry, Burren Myrtle, Dwarf Bilberry, Dyeberry, European Bilberry, Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Myrtille, Myrtilli Fructus, Swedish Bilberry, Trackleberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, Whortleberry, Wineberry
Cancer
Cataracts
Digestion
Eye Health
Glaucoma
Hemorrhoids
Macular Degeneration
Varicose Veins