Bilberry
Bilberry
Bodyandfitness.com
Bilberry is a blue-black berry that grows on a European shrub (Vaccinium myrtillus) similar to the American blueberry.
Traditional uses
The dried herb has also traditionally been used as a remedy for diarrhea, indigestion, and diabetes.
Modern Perspective
Following up on reports from British RAF pilots during World War II, who claimed to have better night vision after eating bilberry jam, scientists have conducted a number of studies that confirm the herb has a positive, although short-term, effect on night vision. Bilberry may also benefit a number of other vision problems common to computer terminal operators and persons engaged in visually demanding precision work, including chronic eye fatigue, severe near-sightedness, and day blindness. Regular consumption of bilberry may help prevent cataracts and glaucoma.
Do scientists know how it works?
The chemical constituents of bilberry fruit apparently responsible for its vision-boosting powers are certain polyphenolic flavonols called anthocyanosides, that improve blood circulation, protect fragile capillaries, and cause beneficial biochemical reactions in the eye. (Grape seed extract is high in related compounds called proanthocyanidins.) Research indicates that anthocyanosides have a positive effect on certain enzymes crucial to vision and to the eyeÌs ability to adapt to the dark.
Noting that bilberry leaf tea is a folk remedy for diabetes, Italian scientists recently found that a dried leaf extract consistently caused a drop in glucose (blood sugar) levels in rats. Unexpectedly, the scientists also found that bilberry lowered blood triglyceride levels, a heart disease risk factor. The compounds in the leaves responsible for these actions are not known; the anthocyanosides in the berries, however, have also been shown alleviate symptoms of diabetes and heart disease. These surprising findings offer hope that the plant may be useful in the battle against two of modern societyÌs most deadly diseases.
Types of products: The most popular products are extracts standardized to 15 to 25 percent anthocyanosides,taken in the amount of 240-480 mg per day or 1-2 ml two times per day in tincture form.
Safety
Tests have shown bilberry to be completely nontoxic even when taken in large doses for a long time. Bilberry does not interact with commonly prescribed drugs, and there are no known contraindications to its use during pregnancy or lactation.
Bilberry References
Cignarella, A., et al., "Novel lipid-lowering properties of Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves, a traditional antidiabetic treatment, in several modes of rat dyslipidaemia: A comparison with ciprofibrate," Thromb. Res. (1996), 84(5):311Ò22.
Laplaud, P.M., et al., "Antioxidant action of Vaccinium myrtillus extract on human low density lipoproteins in vitro: initial observations," Fundam Clin Pharmacol (1997), 11(1):35-40.
Urso G. [Effect of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides associated with betacarotenes on light sensitivity]. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul 1967 Sep;93(9):930-8. [Article in Italian].
Jayle GE, Aubry M, Gavini H, Braccini G, De la Baume C. [Study concerning the action of anthocyanoside extracts of Vaccinium Myrtillus on night vision]. Ann Ocul (Paris) 1965 Jun;198(6):556-62. [Article in French]
Salvayre R, Braquet P, et al. Comparison of the scavenger effect of bilberry anthocyanosides with various flavonoids. Proceed Intl Bioflavonoids Symposium, Munich, 1981, 437-42.
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