Archive for the ‘Bilberries’ Category
Bilberry Fruit
Bilberry is a perennial shrub which grows all over Europe. It is very similar to the US blueberry, kind of like cousins. It has small, bright green leaves with a bell shaped flower that can be pink or white, and makes a fruit in the end of spring (into summer) that is dark blue or purple, similar to a blueberry. From a view of the nutritional aspects the plants are nearly identical.
Since European Blueberry has been around for so long our European cousins have done much research that we can use if we choose. The reason bilberry is used in many nutritional formulas is this fruit is rarely cultivated and most Bilberries comes from the wild. Like American Wild Blueberries this increases the nutritional value because the wild fruit has up to 50% more antioxidant power in the wild. The fruit has been around for a long time and the supply is well fixed and priced lower than blueberry. We use both bilberry and blueberry in our antioxidant drink Super Fruit.
The written history of the plant dates to the Middle Ages around 1500. Traditionally, it was used to treat scurvy, cough, tuberculosis, stones and diarrhea. Today it is recognized as a nutrient that acts as an astringent and as a anti-inflammatory agent. This is due primarily to the tannins. The leaf tannins make this fruit useful for diarrhea and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
The majority of today’s research focuses on its most active nutrient anthocyanins. This flavonoid is considered to be a highly potent antioxidants, effective in reducing oxidation, reducing capillary permeability and inhibiting platelet aggregation. Anthocyanins have been applied for various vascular disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and opthamalogical conditions.
Current Natural Uses
Bilberry nutrients support proper function of capillaries and reduces the leakage of fluid out into the tissue space, which causes edema Swelling (Edema) is a common occurrence in pregnancy, individuals on bed rest, and those with congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and diabetes. European Blueberry has the nutrients that help in reducing swelling.
Bilberries have long been recommended for vision improvement especially night vision. The eyes need these nutrients everyday to protect them against environmental impact like UV rays.
Eating this fruit has been shown to protect against age-related Macular Degeneration This condition is common in seniors over 50 years of age. Macular degeneration is primarily due to oxidative damage from the sun.
European Blueberry has been shown to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol levels. Oxidized LDL has been shown to be a first step towards the development of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL is what starts the chain reaction of free radical damage.
European Blueberry has also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation. Platelet aggregation is another contributing factor in the formation of arterial plaques which leads to hardening of the arteries It is also part of the disease process in clot formation and deep vein thrombosis or blood clots Because it supports the structure and integrity of the blood vessels and limits platelet aggregation, bilberry may be helpful for cases of deep vein blood clots
Certain types of cancers can be helped with bilberries. Studies show that bilberry extract may be helpful in slowing the growth of blood vessels needed by invasive cancers for tumor growth and subsequent invasion of surrounding tissue. The fruit was also shown to slow the growth of colon cancer cells in test tubes. This is all believed to be due to the antioxidant activity of the flavonoid anthocyanin. The fruit did not interfere with the growth of normal healthy colon cells in the test.
Throughout the natural world it is the food we eat which prevents disease of all kinds. It is simple really, eat more organic fruits and vegetables and it will help you live a long and healthy life. Bilberry Fruit is in our Super Fruit & Berries.
Bilberry is just one of the 26 fruits in out high energy antioxidant fruit drink.
