8 Surprising Benefits Of Bilberry. In many ways, bilberry is an amazing fruit. It possesses a variety of nutrients that can improve your health in many ways. These nutrients are antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which help fight disease and maintain skin health as well as cardiovascular fitness, prevent cell damage and maintain healthy eyes.
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What is Bilberry?
Bilberry is an edible berry that ranges in color from dark blue to dark violet. It has some great health benefits as well, and is often used as a foodstuff.
Nutritional Facts
Bilberry is a rich source of anthocyanin, which makes them darker in color. Along with anthocyanin, they contain other phenolic components such as quercetine and tannins. It also contains alkaloids, carbonic acids, and they are high in vital nutrients like vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, and K. The mineral treasure present in it is chromium, manganese and zinc.
Improves Vision
Bilberry is useful for maintaining eye health because it’s rich in compounds that help prevent age-related disorders and other eye diseases such as cataracts. Its natural compounds can also enhance vision so they’re good for some people who need a little extra help. It can also improve vision after you’ve had an injury or exposure to endotoxin, so the eye stays healthy.
Treats Diarrhea
Bilberry has been used to treat stomach problems, such as diarrhea, indigestion, and nausea. It also has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that help to tighten tissues and reduce diarrhea symptoms. According to a study by the Medical Research News (MNR), its use resulted in an average of 50% fewer hospitalizations.
Anti-inflammatory Action
Bilberry exhibits antiseptic action in the way it interacts and cultivates with stomach acids. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be seen with its use on conditions like thrombosis, angina, and ulcerative colitis.
Blood Health
Laboratory tests have shown bilberry to be effective at reducing blood pressure and vascular health complications, leading to the inhibition of platelet aggregation and smooth muscle contraction. In addition to strengthening capillaries, it stimulates circulation and prevents a number of disorders such as varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Anthocyanosides are essential flavonoids that possess a variety of health benefits. These compounds including hydroquinones, quercetin, kaempherols, and the anthocyanidins promote the health of blood vessels.
Manages Diabetes
Since early times, berry extracts have been known to manage diabetes. Recent scientific findings also show that they improve insulin sensitivity. Anthocyanin-rich berry extract was even shown to reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes in a study published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Anticancer Potential
A group of researchers from the University of California Santa Barbara led by Nguyen V et al. found that bilberry extracts have an antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cells and may help prevent or reduce side effects caused by chemotherapy. In one comparative study, they found bilberry to be the most potent plant in inhibiting cancerous cells, too, and that it may also help decrease the harmful effects of some commonly used chemotherapeutic substances.
Neuroprotective Effects
Bilberry can reduce the risk of cognitive issues such as dementia and Alzheimer’s by promoting good mental health. The phenolic compounds found in the fruit promote a sense of adequacy and well-being, which ultimately decreases the amount of these neurological issues.
For clarity for linguists, this sentence has two similar words: “phenolic compound” and “phenolic compounds”.
Menstrual Cramps
Bilberry extract is also effective in curing ulcers, acne and fibrocystic breast disease. Women also report its effects on lowering menstrual cramps.
Skin Care
Bilberry helps build collagen and strengthens blood vessels. It also kills bacteria, which will help you detox after your surgery.
Antioxidant Power
Bilberries are a fruit with many uses. Anthocyanosides are useful water-soluble chemicals that possess the ability to scavenge free radicals. They prevent oxygen-free radicals produced during energy metabolism and neutralize their effects. This protective action prevents the occurrence of problems caused as a result of oxidative stress.
Maintains Liver Health
Research has shown that bilberry extracts help fight against oxidative stress and boost the levels of beneficial glutathione and vitamin C in human body tissues.
Prevents Kidney Failure
Bilberry is an antioxidant with the ability to defend against kidney damage. Extracts of this fruit are useful in normalizing the levels of creatinine, serum, blood, urea, nitrogen, and nitric oxide. It also has the ability to excrete heavy metals from the body resulting in better detoxification.
Cardioprotective Effects
Anthocyanins have been found to have a number of health benefits. For example, bilberry has been shown to help regulate LDL and HDL cholesterol levels in the body and to prevent cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis.
Antimicrobial Effects
Blueberries contain phenolic compounds which have also been found to exert antimicrobial activity. This action of the berry has been found to inhibit various human pathogens including Salmonella, H.pylori, Bacillus, Clostridium and Staphylococcus aureus, and prevent the development of associated diseases. Recent scientific discoveries have shown that blueberries may also be effective at fighting antibiotic-resistant organisms.
Uses of Bilberry
Bilberry is one of the most popular flavoring ways for desserts, and you can find some delicious drinks out there for when you’re craving it. Some of the more popular ways to serve it include drinking the juice, eating fresh bilberries, or adding them to a dessert recipe for good health benefits.
Side Effects
There are a few exceptions that need to be considered, but overall bilberry is a safe fruit for consumption. People who experience allergic reactions should consider consuming it with an inhaler. If you’re someone taking medication that alters the effectiveness of the medication, it should be taken sparingly as some recent studies have warned against its use. There may also be toxicity if consumed in too high concentrations.
