The Powerful Health Benefits of Bilberry
You've probably heard of blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries. What about bilberries? If you have not heard of them, you may want to keep reading because these berries and their extract can positively improve ailments and your health.
Bilberries are a dark blue fruit very similar to blueberries, except they grow on small shrubs mainly in Europe, and tend to be smaller than blueberries. The secret ingredient in bilberries is anthocyanin.
Many dark blue/purple fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids called anthocyanins. Not only are anthocyanins responsible for the pigment of these vibrant fruits and vegetables, they also play a vital role in making them great for your health. Anthocyanins are linked to several positive health benefits such as improved vision, cancer prevention, reduced blood pressure, and reduced inflammation. The fact that bilberries contain higher amounts of anthocyanin than their counterparts—cranberries, cherries, raspberries, and strawberries—makes this fruit one you should put high on your radar.
Vision Health
Do you or someone you know have problems seeing at night? Has it kept you or them from staying at an event or spending time with family due to having to drive home before it gets too dark? Well, this may be the perfect solution for you! Bilberry has been said to improve night vision. It also improves daytime vision impaired by glare, cataracts, and glaucoma. It has been a suggested treatment for retinal disorders, such as retinopathy and maculopathy.
Diabetes
Bilberry is an excellent, natural choice for managing diabetes, and relieving its symptoms. It can assist in lowering blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin secretion, which is a short-term benefit it has on diabetes.
Improved Circulation
Now, this brings us to the long-term affect that bilberry has on diabetes, which is improved circulation. Bilberry can preserve and improve circulation, which is a win for people who suffer from diabetes, as well as those who suffer from other circulatory disorders such as CVI (chronic venous insufficiency).
Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Aging is a natural part of life. However, who doesn't want to feel younger, more energetic, and have a great memory? Aside from being great for treating diabetes and your vision, bilberries are also a powerful antioxidants. Bilberries can slow aging within your body, improve your balance and coordination, as well as improve your memory and reduce chances of degenerative disorders like Alzheimer's.
Bacterial infections
Similar to its close relative, cranberries, bilberries are also used to treat UTIs (urinary tract infections). It can also be used to treat skin infections as well.
Cancer Prevention
Remember the anthocyanin, that we discussed earlier? Well, it has cancer-preventive properties, giving bilberry the ability to inhibit cancer cells from growing.
Reduced Inflammation
Bilberries can ease inflammation resulting from gum disease, gout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to reducing inflammation, bilberries also minimize damage to the connective tissues that cause that "bone on bone" pain.
One of the easiest ways to take advantage of this superfood is through a Bilberry extract like the one shown above; however, it can be eaten raw, made into jam, or even into a tea. The benefits of this fruit are so vast that you would be missing out if you didn't try it for yourself. I am quite sure almost everyone could use a boost or improvement in an area that bilberry treats.
N7, Candidly C