Antioxidant - Nutritive Eye
Care - Reduce Sugar Cravings
Diarrhea and
wounds:
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has
been used in traditional European medicine
for nearly a thousand years, primarily to
treat diarrhea. Bilberry fruit contains high
concentrations of tannins, substances that
act as both an anti-inflammatory and an
astringent. The latter quality in particular
may help wounds heal more quickly. Bilberry
is believed to help people with diarrhea by
reducing the intestinal inflammation
associated with the condition.
Diabetes:
Bilberry leaves have traditionally been used
to control blood sugar levels in people with
diabetes. A couple of modern day reports of
a few individuals with type 2 (adult onset)
diabetes as well as animal studies suggest
that this traditional use may have merit.
Rigorous scientific studies are needed.
Antioxidants:
A close relative of the cranberry, bilberry
fruits contain flavonoid compounds called
anthocyanidins. Flavonoids are plant
pigments that have excellent antioxidant
properties. This means that they scavenge
damaging particles in the body known as free
radicals and have been shown to help prevent
a number of long-term illnesses such as
heart disease, cancer, and an eye disorder
called macular degeneration (a disease of
the retina that can lead to blindness; see
Visual Disturbances listed below). Animal
studies have found that anthocyanidins may
strengthen blood vessels, improve
circulation, and prevent the oxidation of
LDL ("bad") cholesterol, a major risk factor
for atherosclerosis (plaque in blood vessels
that leads to blockage and, therefore, heart
attack and stroke). Research in people is
needed.
Chronic
fatigue syndrome:
Some experts propose that bilberry may
relieve the symptoms of chronic fatigue
syndrome because of its antioxidant
properties.
Ulcers:
Studies in rats have found that
anthocyanidins from bilberry fruits help
prevent stomach ulcers caused by a variety
of factors including stress, medications,
and alcohol. Whether this will translate
into help for people requires research.
Visual
disturbances:
Anthocyanidins found in bilberry fruits may
also be useful for people with vision
problems. During World War II, British
fighter pilots reported that bilberries
improved their nighttime vision and helped
them quickly adjust to darkness. A recent
study, however, comparing a bilberry extract
of anthocyanidins to placebo in young men
with normal vision did not confirm any
improvement in night vision from this
supplement. The study only included 12 men.
Therefore, more research is needed to know
whether the long standing stories of
improvement in night vision from bilberry
for some individuals is scientifically true
or not.
Today, it is
believed that anthocyanidins may help
protect the retina, the nerve layer that
lines the back of the eye and sends nerve
impulses to the visual areas of the brain.
Studies conducted in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s
suggest that the anthocyanidins contained in
bilberry fruit preparations improve symptoms
of a variety of visual disturbances
including nearsightedness, cataracts, and
macular degeneration.
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