berries.
Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are small, blue berries native to Northern Europe. They’re often referred to as European blueberries, as they’re very similar in appearance to North American blueberries ( 1 ).
Are bilberries and blueberries the same fruit?
Bilberries, also known as European wild blueberries, are part of the same plant family as blueberries but are usually smaller in size, darker in color, and full of surprises. Therefore, if you like blueberries, you will love bilberries!
What is a bilberry also known as?
Bilberry is also known as European blueberry, whortleberry, huckleberry, and blaeberry. It belongs to a large genus (Vaccinium) of plants that also contains blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon; Upton 2001).
Are bilberries better than blueberries?
Compared to blueberries, wild bilberries are more nutrient dense, with more Vitamin C, Vitamin E, manganese than blueberries.
What does bilberry do for the body?
Bilberry is full of vitamin C, anthocyanins, and other antioxidants that help fight free radicals in your body. By protecting against free radicals and cell damage, bilberries may help reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer. The antioxidants in bilberries can help reduce inflammation in your body.
Which berry is best for eyes?
Blueberries. These violet-hued gems are rich in anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that bolster collagen structure in the retina and provide extra vision protection, notes Johanna Seddon, M.D., an expert on macular degeneration and coauthor of Eat Right for Your Sight.
What are the side effects of taking bilberry?
Common side effects of Bilberry include:
- Wasting syndrome (cachexia): weight loss, muscle loss, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite.
- Anemia.
- Yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Excitation at high doses (animal studies)
- May affect blood sugar levels.
What is the healthiest berry?
Which Berry is Most Nutritious? They’re all healthy choices, but the “best” distinction may well go to black raspberries, says dietitian Kathleen Johnson. A raspberry cousin with a deeper color, they provide very high antioxidant levels along with fiber and relatively little natural sugar.
Is bilberry good for kidneys?
Also, bilberry extract improved oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) levels in kidney tissue, which showed that bilberry extract reduced the degree of oxidative stress and kidney damage induced by KBrO3.
Can you eat bilberries raw?
Use as a food The fruit can be eaten raw when fully ripe, and is sweet but slightly acidic. It can be used to make liqueurs. Cooked, the fruit is used to make jams, jellies, syrups, ketchups and chutneys. Hazards The berries are high in tannins so should not be consumed in excess, particularly raw.
Who should not take bilberry?
Do not take bilberry without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications: insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or. medicine used to prevent blood clots, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin, or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
Can bilberry restore eyesight?
Vision. Anthocyanosides found in bilberry fruits may also be useful for people with vision problems. During World War II, British fighter pilots reported improved nighttime vision after eating bilberry jam. Studies have shown mixed results, however.
Does bilberry raise blood pressure?
Health experts speculate that the consumption of fruits and berries containing high levels of polyphenols may lower blood pressure . Bilberries contain high levels of polyphenols , so they likely have this effect.
Does bilberry help hair growth?
Bilberry is also extremely useful to stimulate hair growth due to its ability to improve micro-capillary circulation. This not only improves blood circulation to the hair follicles but also improves the nutrition and oxygen that flows to hair follicles resulting in faster and stronger hair growth.
How much bilberry should you take for your eyes?
A dose of 160 mg of bilberry extract taken twice daily has been used in people with diseased retinas. A dose of 200 mg taken twice daily for four weeks has been used in patients with who have difficulty seeing far away. Bilberry leaf is commonly used as a tea.
Can bilberry get rid of cataracts?
Modern research and studies on bilberry
In a widely cited Italian study published in 1989, 50 elderly people with early stage cataracts who took a combination of bilberry extract and vitamin E saw cataract progression slow by 97 percent.
Which fruit is best for vision?
Look to Fruits and Vegetables for Good Eye Health
| Foods Rich in Antioxidants for Eye Health | Antioxidants Related to Eye Health |
|---|---|
| Red berries, kiwi, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and juices made from guava, grapefruit, and orange. | Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) |
What fruit can make your eyes clear?
Orange-colored fruits and vegetables — like sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, mangos, and apricots — are high in beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A that helps with night vision, your eyes’ ability to adjust to darkness.
What can I drink to improve my eyesight?
Drink Inspiration for Healthy Eyes!
- Lemon Water. Lemon water’s biggest benefit is that it is high in lutein and zeaxanthin which are two very important nutrients that help against macular degeneration and cataracts!
- Orange Juice.
- Carrot Juice.
- Spinach/Kale Juice.
Does bilberry raise blood sugar?
There is some evidence that the chemicals found in bilberry leaves can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Some researchers think that chemicals called flavonoids in bilberry leaf might also improve circulation in people with diabetes.
Why is bilberry good for eyes?
Blueberry and bilberry extracts are also promoted as dietary supplements to help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, the irreversible condition that occurs when the macula, the central portion of the retina, deteriorates. The retina is the tissue at the back of the eye that detects light.