What is Bilberry?
For centuries, Bilberry has been used both medicinally and as a food in jams and pies. It is related to blueberries and is native to Northern Europe. Bilberry fruit contains compounds called anthocyanosides. These compounds help the body build strong blood vessels and improve circulation to all areas. They also help to reduce the risk of blood clots by preventing blood platelets from clumping together.
Bilberry has antioxidant properties therefore it destroys free radicals (particles that damage the cells of body). Antioxidants help prevent a number of long term illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, and an eye disorder called macular degeneration. It also contains vitamin C, which acts as another antioxidant. The Anthocyanosides in Bilberry are known to boost the production of rhodopsin, a pigment that improves night vision and helps the eye adapt to light changes.
Benefits of Bilberry
- It improves the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency which occurs when valves in the veins that carry blood from the legs to the heart are damaged
- It reduces the body’s glucose response after eating a high sugar meal making it effective for managing blood sugar levels, particularly when combined with oatmeal
- It reduces the risk factors for atherosclerosis such as weakened blood vessels, poor circulation, and oxidation of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
- It helps treat diarrhea by reducing intestinal inflammation
- Anthocyanosides found in bilberry fruits protect the retina and therefore they are used as a treatment for retinopathy (damage to the retina).They also showed protective effects against macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. They may also be useful for people with general vision problems
- It prevents the formation of blood clots by impeding the clumping together of blood platelets
- It is a rich source of tannins, a substance that acts as an astringent and anti-inflammatory agent. These properties make it useful for wound healing.
By : Natural Health News
