Bilberry, also known as the European blueberry, is a fruit native to northern Europe. It has been used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages to treat a variety of conditions, including diarrhoea, inflammation of the mouth, urinary problems, and diabetes. During World War II, British pilots ate bilberry jam in the belief that it improved their night vision. Today, bilberry is promoted as a dietary supplement for eye health, varicose veins, and other conditions.
While bilberry fruit is considered safe when consumed in typical food amounts or as an extract for up to a year, there is limited information about its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consuming bilberry in amounts typically found in foods is considered safe, but the effects of bilberry supplements during pregnancy are unknown, so pregnant women are advised to avoid them.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Safety during pregnancy | Limited data suggests no known risk, but more research is needed |
Effect on blood circulation | May help relieve varicose veins and hemorrhoids |
Anti-inflammatory properties | May help fight inflammation |
Cancer prevention | May help protect against cancer, but more research is needed |
Eye health | May help improve eye health and reduce eye fatigue |
Heart health | May help reduce the risk of heart issues and lower blood pressure |
Blood sugar levels | May help lower blood sugar levels |
Antimicrobial properties | High in tannins, which have bacteria-killing properties |
What You'll Learn
Bilberry leaves may be unsafe in high doses or for long periods
Bilberry is a plant native to northern Europe, also known as the European blueberry, whortleberry, dyeberry, huckleberry, and blaeberry. Its botanical name is Vaccinium myrtillus L. The fruit is similar in appearance to a North American blueberry, but with a more intense flavour.
Bilberry has been used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages, and its leaves and berries are used for a variety of conditions, including diabetes, urinary problems, and inflammation of the mouth. It is also believed to improve night vision, with British pilots in World War II eating bilberry jam.
Bilberry leaves are known to have astringent properties and are packed with antioxidants. They are also hydrating and antiseptic and can help heal wounds. However, it is important to note that the efficacy and dosage of bilberry supplements require more research.
While there is limited data to suggest no known risk of using bilberry extract during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is always recommended to consult a healthcare professional before taking any supplements, especially during these critical periods.
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Bilberry may interact with certain medications
Bilberry is a plant native to northern Europe, also known as the European blueberry. It is packed with nutrients and beneficial compounds, such as vitamin C. It has been used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages to treat a variety of conditions, including diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth, urinary problems, and diabetes.
While bilberry fruit is considered safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods, its leaves may be unsafe when taken orally in high doses or for long periods. It is important to note that consuming bilberry in amounts usually found in food is considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, little is known about the safety of using bilberry supplements during these periods.
- Cancer drugs: Bilberry may interact with the cancer drug erlotinib (Tarceva). This interaction could potentially affect the efficacy of the medication or lead to unexpected side effects.
- Antidiabetic drugs: There is a potential interaction between bilberry and antidiabetic medications. Since bilberry has historical use in lowering blood sugar, combining it with antidiabetic drugs may cause hypoglycemia or other complications.
- Medications that slow blood clotting: Bilberry may interfere with medications that slow blood clotting, such as warfarin or aspirin. This interaction could enhance the blood-thinning effect, potentially leading to increased bleeding risks.
It is important to note that the information provided above is not exhaustive, and other medications may also interact with bilberry. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any prescription medications.
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Bilberry can be consumed in food during pregnancy
Bilberry, also known as the European blueberry, is a fruit native to northern Europe. It is packed with nutrients and beneficial compounds, including vitamin C and anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a type of chemical that gives bilberries their deep purple colour and offers a range of health benefits.
Bilberry has been used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages to treat various conditions, including diarrhoea, inflammation of the mouth, urinary problems, and diabetes. During World War II, British pilots consumed bilberry jam, believing it improved their night vision. Today, bilberry is promoted as a dietary supplement for eye health, varicose veins, and other conditions.
While there is limited research on the safety of consuming bilberry during pregnancy, it is generally considered safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods. Bilberry fruit is rich in nutrients and offers potential health benefits, making it a valuable addition to a pregnant woman's diet when consumed in moderation.
- Baking them into muffins or pancakes
- Sprinkling them on top of yogurt, oatmeal, or granola
- Adding them to smoothies or salads
- Using them as a pancake topping
- Brewing bilberry tea
- Making bilberry jam
When consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, bilberries can provide various health benefits for pregnant women. However, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet during pregnancy.
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Bilberry has been used to treat various conditions
Bilberry has been used to treat diarrhoea, inflammation of the mouth, urinary problems, and diabetes. It has also been used to prevent scurvy, due to its high vitamin C content. During World War II, British pilots ate bilberry jam, believing it would improve their night vision.
Today, bilberry is promoted as a dietary supplement for night vision, cataracts, varicose veins, and atherosclerosis. It is also used for chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when valves in the leg veins that carry blood to the heart are damaged.
Bilberry leaves have been used to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The fruit contains tannins, which act as an anti-inflammatory and an astringent, reducing intestinal inflammation. The anthocyanosides in bilberry may also help lower the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
However, there is little scientific evidence to support the use of bilberry for many health conditions, and more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
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Bilberry is a versatile fruit with many health benefits
Bilberries are rich in nutrients and beneficial plant compounds, including antioxidants, vitamin C, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins. They are also a good source of fibre, manganese, and vitamins C and K.
The health benefits of bilberries include:
Improved eye health
Bilberries are most well-known for their purported ability to improve vision, especially night vision. While there is limited evidence to support this claim, studies suggest that bilberry extract can reduce eye dryness and other symptoms of eye fatigue. Bilberries may also improve vision in people with glaucoma and protect against macular degeneration, cataracts, and retinopathy.
Reduced inflammation
The anthocyanins in bilberries are antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, which may help fight inflammation believed to be the root cause of many diseases. Bilberries have been shown to reduce levels of inflammatory markers in clinical studies of metabolic disorders, and may be useful for preventing and treating chronic inflammatory disorders.
Lower blood sugar levels
Bilberry extract is effective in lowering blood sugar levels and increasing insulin secretion in people with metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Improved heart health
Bilberries contain vitamin K, which helps prevent blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The anthocyanins may also help reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and other heart-related issues.
Reduced risk of cancer
The antioxidants in bilberries, including anthocyanins and vitamin C, help to fight free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Improved digestive health
The antioxidants, tannins, and pectin in bilberries can reduce inflammation in the digestive system, helping to relieve diarrhea, nausea, and indigestion.
Boosted brain function
Powdered bilberry supplements have been linked to improved long-term and working memory in older adults.
Other potential benefits
Bilberries may also have antimicrobial effects, fighting off harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus. They may also help improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Bilberries can be consumed fresh, frozen, dried, or in the form of supplements. They can be added to yoghurt, oatmeal, granola, pancakes, muffins, pies, jams, smoothies, or tea.
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Frequently asked questions
Limited data suggests no known risk, but there is limited information available. Consuming amounts typically found in food is considered safe.
Bilberry is rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that may help tackle the effects of harmful "free radicals" in the body. It may also help with blood circulation, which can relieve varicose veins and hemorrhoids, common issues during pregnancy.
Bilberry leaves may be unsafe when taken orally in high doses or for long periods of time. It may also interact with certain medications, so it is important to consult a healthcare professional before consuming bilberry supplements during pregnancy.