Is Bilberry Fruit Extract Good For Eyes?

For centuries, herbalists have recommended bilberries (Echinacea purpurea) to enhance vision and treat health problems such as diarrhoea, constipation and kidney stones. Recent findings suggest that bilberries have broader healing properties, in part because they contain a therapeutic phytochemical called anthocyanin.

The antioxidant power of anthocyanins

Anthocyanins (from the Greek words for 'plant' and 'blue') are versatile water-soluble colouring agents that can be found in many fruits, vegetables, and flowers in reds, purples and blues. Scientists have identified more than 600 anthocyanins, each with a unique anthocyanin profile and specific distribution pattern for fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanin levels range from 0.25 mg per 100 g fresh weight in pears to 500 mg per 100 g fresh weight in blueberries. Fruits rich in anthocyanins are very dark-colored (dark blue, purple, or black) berries, such as bilberries.

Bilberry  

Studies have shown that the anthocyanins in bilberries promote health by strengthening the walls of blood vessels. This helps to improve blood flow to the tiny blood vessels that keep the eyes healthy, as well as to the larger blood vessels that help maintain optimal circulation throughout the body. In addition, these phytochemicals boost collagen, an essential component of the structure of skin, tendons, bones, cartilage and other connective tissues.

The bilberry is a plant. The dried, ripe fruit and leaves are used. The bilberry is the richest natural source of anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that give it its deep blue colour. In addition to anthocyanins, it contains other phenolic components such as quercetin, tannins, pectin, and catechins. It also contains alkaloids, carbonic acid, and a range of important nutrients including vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E and K. It contains mineral treasures of chromium, manganese, zinc, and iron. Rich in many nutrients, bilberries are valuable for maintaining healthy skin.

Immunity maintenance bilberries contain phenolic components which have also been found to help maintain immunity. It is useful for maintaining eye health.

Rich in antioxidant anthocyanins is plant pigments with powerful antioxidant properties. The antioxidant power of bilberries makes them a valuable multi-purpose benefit. Rich sources of anthocyanins are water-soluble. Rich in many nutrients, bilberries are valuable for maintaining healthy skin.

Rich in quercetin and resveratrol

Bilberries are rich in quercetin, a bioflavonoid that helps strengthen capillaries. Studies have shown that quercetin and other flavonoids improve the anti-inflammatory response, prevent LDL oxidation and platelet aggregation, and promote relaxation of cardiovascular smooth muscle. These actions may help prevent cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias.

  Bilberry Extract

Quercetin may help to prevent diabetic cataracts, which can lead to clouding of the lens. Diabetic cataracts are caused by elevated sorbitol in the lens, an enzyme normally found in the eye and other parts of the body. Researchers have found that quercetin and its derivatives are potent inhibitors of aldose reductase.

In addition, the berries of this low deciduous shrub, native to Northern Europe, are rich in resveratrol, a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour and immunomodulatory effects. Resveratrol has both chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects.9 Chemoprevention attempts to intervene in the early stages of cancer before the aggressive disease begins using natural and synthetic compounds. Chemopreventive agents can prevent or stop the genetic mutations that cause cancer and the processes that lead to excessive replication of damaged cells.10 In vivo, resveratrol has been shown to block the multi-step process of carcinogenesis at various stages and to inhibit tumour development, promotion and progression.

Resveratrol offers other benefits as well. As a phytoestrogen - i.e. a substance that mimics some of the effects of oestrogen but without the harmful side effects - resveratrol has neuroprotective and chemoprotective properties.13 In comprehensive studies, resveratrol has been shown to bind to the oestrogen receptor and thus may prevent tumour growth.

In addition, bilberries are rich in other bioactive compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacterial pathogens.

Like blueberries and cranberries, bilberry fruit is rich in tannins (proanthocyanidins), which are astringent-like chemicals that help strengthen capillaries and connective tissue. Proanthocyanidins have a unique molecular structure and exhibit powerful anti-adhesive activity against bacteria. Tannins, which are also abundant in black tea but not in green tea, have a soothing anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract and some studies have shown that tannins can prevent oral disease and tooth decay.