Bilberry New – Vitahealth Connection

Bilberry

Ingredients A-Z

Overview

Bilberry, vaccinium myrtillus is a deciduous, leafy, freely branched, perennial shrub native to northern areas of Europe, Asia, the northern United States, and Canada. Its name, bilberry is derived from the Danish word bollebar, “dark berry” as these berries are purple-black and coarsely wrinkled.

Bilberry is known as one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins⁴. This component is responsible for the pink,red, blue and purple colour of the plant¹. It has been used for a variety of ailments, including diarrhea, mouth inflammation, urinary problem and diabetes. During World War II, British pilots took bilberry jam as they believe it would improve their night vision.

In modern days, bilberry is introduced as a dietary supplement for night vision, cataracts, varicose veins, and atherosclerosis attributed to its benefits on reduction in vascular permeability and capillary fragility which is beyond simple antioxidant effects.

Key indications

Ocular health

Bilberry has long been used for eye disorders and in promoting vision mainly due to the direct benefits of anthocyanosides on eyes by alternating the local enzymatic reactions and improving the recovery of rhodopsin on retina¹¹,¹². A double-blinded, placebo-controlled study shown dark adaptation at 1 hour and hours post-ingestion were faster in those taking bilberry anthocyanins (6.5 minutes) compared to placebo (9 minutes)¹³. Another study reported 97% success rate in preventing cataract progression with 4 months of bilberry anthocyanins supplementation (in combination with vitamin E) for those with mild senile cataract¹⁴.

Anti-inflammatory

Studies shown supplement with mixed berry-derived anthocyanidins isolates reduced levels of multiple proinflammatory chemokines (interleukin-8), regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expression and secretion, and interferon-alpha and cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13)³. Administration of bilberry singly or as part of dietary also shown to decrease serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), IL-6, IL-12, IL-15, lipopolysaccharide, E-selectin, monokine induced by IFN-gamma⁸⁻⁷. The possible mechanism of action on anti-inflammatory activities of bilberry could be explained by the inhibition activation of nuclear factor-kappa B⁶,⁸.

Antioxidant

Anthocyanosides are the flavonoid derivatives of anthocyanins found in bilberry. This active component is a potent antioxidant in scavenging free radicals and chelating metal ions. Research shown that daily consumption of 160g of mixed berries (bilberries, black currents, chokeberries, and lingonberries) for 8 weeks promote the plasma levels of polyphenols such as quercetin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid, homovanillic acid, vanillic acid, 3 hydroxyphenylacetic acid and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid compared to placebo⁹.

Cardioprotective

Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory process associated with oxidative processes in and damage to the vascular tissue is the main underlying factor in cardiovascular disease¹⁵. A controlled human trial with 4-week supplementation of bilberry juice shown to reduce inflammatory biomarkers concentration. Most importantly, significant reduction was seen in plasma levels of hsCRP and IL-6IL-6⁶. Improvement in cardiovascular profile including platelet function, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein-HDL-cholesterol was reported in another controlled human study with daily intake of 100g of whole bilberries¹⁶. Taking mixed anthocyanins from extracts of bilberry and blackcurrant (Ribes nigram) (320mg daily) for 12 weeks shown significant improvement in low-density level cholesterol and high-density level cholesterol among middle-aged dyslipidemic Chinese subjects¹⁰.

Adverse effects²

Bilberry is generally well tolerated. In some cases, minor adverse effects include dark-coloured stools, flatulence, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Dosage range²

Typical doses used in clinical trials is ranging from 160mg to 240mg daily for up to 6 months. It provides 120mg to 160mg of anthocyanins for daily used for 6 months.

Contraindications/cautions²

Interaction may occur with these drugs and supplements:
– Anticoagulant/ antiplatelet drugs, herbs and supplements
Bilberry fruit extract might induce antiplatelet effect which promote bleeding risk.
– Antidiabetic drugs, herbs and supplements
Bilberry fruit or leaf extract might promote hypoglycaemia risk.
– Erlotinib (anti-cancer drug)
Bilberry fruit extract might decrease efficacy of the drug.
Safety data on pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

References :

Upton, R, editor. (2001). Bilberry Fruit Vaccinium myrtillus L. Standards of Analysis, Quality Control, and Therapeutics. Santa Cruz, CA: American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium.
Therapeutic Research Centre. (2022). Bilberry. Retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=202
Karlsen, A., Retterstol, L., Laake, P., Paur, I., Bohn, S. K., Sandvik, L., and Blomhoff, R. (2007). Anthocyanins inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB activation in monocytes and reduce plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators in healthy adults. J.Nutr, 137(8):1951-1954.
Chu, W., Cheung, SCM., Lau, RAW, et al. (2011). Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis. Chapter 4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92770/
de Mello, V. D., Schwab, U., Kolehmainen, M., Koenig, W., Siloaho, M., Poutanen, K., Mykkanen, H., and Uusitupa, M. (2011). A diet high in fatty fish, bilberries and wholegrain products improves markers of endothelial function and inflammation in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism in a randomised controlled trial: the Sysdimet study. Diabetologia, 54(11):2755-2767.
Karlsen, A., Paur, I., Bohn, S. K., Sakhi, A. K., Borge, G. I., Serafini, M., Erlund, I., Laake, P., Tonstad, S., and Blomhoff, R. (2010). Bilberry juice modulates plasma concentration of NF-kappaB related inflammatory markers in subjects at increased risk of CVD. Eur.J.Nutr. 49(6):345-355.
Kolehmainen, M., Mykkanen, O., Kirjavainen, P. V., Leppanen, T., Moilanen, E., Adriaens, M., Laaksonen, D. E., Hallikainen, M., Puupponen-Pimia, R., Pulkkinen, L., Mykkanen, H., Gylling, H., Poutanen, K., and Torronen, R. (2012). Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome. Mol Nutr Food Res, 56(10):1501-1510.
Karlsen, A., Retterstol, L., Laake, P., Paur, I., Bohn, S. K., Sandvik, L., and Blomhoff, R. (2007). Anthocyanins inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB activation in monocytes and reduce plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators in healthy adults. J.Nutr, 137(8):1951-1954.
Koli, R., Erlund, I., Jula, A., Marniemi, J., Mattila, P., and Alfthan, G. (2010). Bioavailability of various polyphenols from a diet containing moderate amounts of berries. J.Agric.Food Chem. 58(7):3927-3932.
Qin, Y., Xia, M., Ma, J., et al., editors. (2009). Anthocyanin supplementation improves serum LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations associated with the inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in dyslipidemic subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 90:485–92.
Pautler, E. L., Maga, J. A., and Tengerdy, C. (1986). A pharmacologically potent natural product in the bovine retina. Exp.Eye Res, 42(3):285-288.
Cluzel, C., Bastide, P., Wegman, R., and Tronche, P. (1970). [Enzymatic activities of retina and anthocyanoside extracts of Vaccinium myrtillus (lactate dehydrogenase, alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, 5-nucleotidase, phosphoglucose isomerase)]. Biochem.Pharmacol, 19(7):2295-2302.
Zafra-Stone, S., Taharat, Y., Bagchi, M., Chatterjee, A., Vinson, J.A., Bagchi, D. (2007). Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health and disease prevention. Mol Nutr Food Res. 51:675–83.
Bravetti G.O., Fraboni, E., Maccolini, E. (1989). Preventive medical treatment of senile cataract with vitamin E and Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides: Clinical evaluation. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul. 115:109–16.
Libby, P., Ridker P.M., Maseri, A. (2002). Inflammation and atherosclerosis. Circulation. 105:1135–43.
Erlund, I., Kol, R., Alfthan, G., et al., editors. (2008). Favourable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. Am j Clin Nutr. 87:323–31.

The material is prepared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a piece of personal medical advice. Owing to each person’s varying health needs, a physician should be consulted before acting on any information provided in this material. Although every effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate, it is compiled for internal use only and should not be considered definitive. Neither VitaHealth nor its employees, or information providers shall be responsible or liable for any errors, inaccuracies, or other defects in the information contained in this publication.