| Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a shrub found in the | | | | that it does not possess antithrombotic activity, as has |
| mountains of Europe and North America. It is related to | | | | been demonstrated with some fibric acid derivatives. |
| the North America's blueberry and huckleberry. The | | | | Oxidized low-density lipo-protein (LDL) is known for its |
| shrub produces a blue black or purple berry with purple | | | | ability to stimulate inflammatory processes involved in |
| meat from July through September, depending on the | | | | the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. For this |
| elevation. This berry is the part of the plant of interest. | | | | reason, there has been interest in the use of |
| In addition to its use as a food, it was documented as | | | | antioxidants such as bilberry to protect against LDL |
| being used to treat kidney stones, biliary problems, | | | | oxidation. |
| scurvy, coughs, and tuberculosis in the 1500s. It has | | | | Bilberry jam purportedly improved night vision in Royal |
| also been used to make a traditional tea to treat | | | | Air Force pilots within 24 hours of eating bilberry jam, |
| diabetes, and purportedly has a hypoglycemic effect. | | | | and at least five European studies showing the |
| Little is known about bilberry's active constituents and | | | | beneficial effect of bilberry on night vision were |
| their pharmacology, although it has been studied since | | | | published prior to 1970. A 1997 Israeli study published as |
| at least 1964 for ophthalmological and vascular | | | | an abstract found negative results, as did a more |
| disorders. | | | | recent study performed in 15 Navy Seals. In this trial, |
| Most of these studies were performed in Europe and | | | | Muth and colleagues studied the effect of bilberry |
| many are published in non-English or obscure journals. | | | | extract (25% anthocyanocides) 160 mg taken three |
| Stories of British Royal Air Force pilots eating bilberry | | | | times daily for 3 weeks on night visual acuity and night |
| jam during World War II to improve their night vision | | | | contrast sensitivity in subjects with visual acuity |
| may have prompted some of these studies. In the | | | | correctable to at least 20/20. |
| United States, bilberry is usually sold in capsule form as | | | | An independent laboratory verified the composition of |
| an antioxidant and to promote eye health. It is | | | | the extract used. Eight subjects were given placebo |
| sometimes combined with other vitamins or herbs | | | | and seven were given the extract in double-blind |
| purported to be beneficial to the eye, such as lutein or | | | | fashion. After a 30-day washout, the subjects were |
| eyebright. | | | | crossed over the alternate treatment arm. Nighttime |
| Bilberry's ability to stimulate synthesis of connective | | | | visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were measured |
| tissue glycosaminoglycans may be the mechanism | | | | under lighting conditions simulating full moonlight. These |
| underlying its beneficial effects in several pathologies. | | | | studies showed that bilberry improved night visual |
| Its gastroprotective, vasoprotective, and healing | | | | acuity, adaptation to darkness, and recovery of visual |
| properties may all be tied to this action.Billberry extract | | | | acuity after glare. |
| was able to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor | | | | There are currently no reported adverse effects from |
| expression by human keratinocytes in vitro. This | | | | the consumption of bilberry or related compounds. |
| suggests that bilberry or its constituents may have a | | | | When the fruit is consumed in amounts normally |
| role in cancer prevention or treatment. | | | | contained in foods, bilberry falls under the Generally |
| Bilberrry was able to attenuate only the acute effect | | | | Recognized as Safe category according to the US |
| of Triton on triglycerides, suggesting that bilberry | | | | Food and Drug Administration. |
| improves lipoprotein clearance, but does not affect | | | | Bilberry have several benefits, but it might not work for |
| lipoprotein production. Although bilberry's effect on | | | | everyone, the good news is there are no side effects |
| triglycerides is similar to that of the fibric acid | | | | from consuming the fruit. The leafs is just the opposite |
| derivatives (e.g., gemfibrozil, fenofibrate) used | | | | since it contains toxins. Bilberry is a good option to |
| therapeutically to treat hypertriglyceridemia, bilberry did | | | | improve night vision. |
| not affect thrombus size or composition, suggesting | | | | |