The Goodness of Bilberry
Bilberry is a sweet and delicious fruit and is closely related to blueberries. For centuries, it has been used both medicinally and as food made into jellies, jam, pies, flavoring for sorbet, and base of liquor.
Nutritional Facts
Bilberry contains a range of beneficial nutrients like vitamin A, B1, B2, C, E, and K and minerals such as iron, chromium, zinc, and manganese. It is a rich source of anthocyanin, an antioxidant that is responsible for its dark blue color. Alkaloids, carbonic acids. and phenolic compounds like catechins, tannins, pectin, and quercetin are also present in the fruit.
Health Benefits Of Bilberries
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s response to injury and infection. When it becomes chronic, it can greatly affect a person’s day-to-day activities. In relation to this, your risk of unwanted inflammation can be lowered by the anthocyanins present in bilberries.
Experts have found that consumption of anthocyanin-rich bilberry extracts can prevent factors that stimulate an inflammatory response in their bodies.
Anticancer Potential
A study has revealed the antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cells of bilberry extract. Experts from University of California Santa Barbara have found how that the extract can prevent the proliferation of malignant cells and induce apoptosis.
Aside from this, bilberries were found to be a natural source of pterostilbene— a compound that is believed to be significant in the prevention of colon cancer.
Additionally, bilberry consumption can also help prevent the harmful side effects of chemotherapy.
Improves Blood Sugar in Diabetics
Traditionally, bilberry leaves are being used by people with diabetes since it can help regulate blood glucose. Thanks to its rich concentration of anthocyanins. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), various studies have supported this effect. Due to this, bilberry can be useful in the treatment of retinopathy, a common diabetic eye disease that may cause blindness.
Improves Vision
Beneficial compounds found in bilberry can help improve vision once combined with lutein in the eye. Several researchers were conducted, and results showed that bilberry extract is effective at preventing eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Aside from this, the extract also helps the eye adapt to light changes by stimulating the production of rhodopsin pigment.
Lowers the Risks of Alzheimer’s Disease
According to pieces of evidence, bilberry fruit’s phenolic compounds can significantly lower symptoms and risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Prevents Kidney Failure
Studies have revealed that the antioxidants found in bilberry can help excrete heavy metals in the body and normalize levels of creatinine, blood, serum, nitrogen, nitric oxide, and urea. This helps protect the body against kidney damages.
Gastrointestinal Benefits
Due to its tannins that have anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, bilberry can help cure stomach problems like diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and stomach ulcers. It constricts and tightens tissues, thus reducing symptoms of stomach disorders.
Circulation Problem (Chronic Venous Insufficiency)
This condition occurs when a person’s veins have troubled moving the blood from the arms and legs back to the heart. This causes varicose veins, aching legs, swelling, and even skin ulcers. Bilberries have anthocyanosides that help strengthen the blood vessels and decrease the symptoms of venous insufficiency.
Prevents Hardening Of The Arteries
According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, bilberry extract can help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries, thereby reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis and improving overall heart health. Atherosclerosis, which is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, is a condition where the arteries are narrowed and hardened.
Good For The Liver
Bilberry extracts have inhibitory and radical scavenging activity that lowers the nitric oxide concentration in the liver tissues and improves the levels of vitamin C and beneficial glutathione in the body.
Cardiovascular Health And Good Circulation
Due to its positive effects in blood pressure and vascular health, bilberry inhibits aggregation and promotes smooth muscle contraction. Studies have proven that it can stimulate circulation, strengthen capillaries, and prevent disorders like hemorrhoids and varicose veins.