Research
Bilberry Extract
22 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Investigating the Effects of Vaccinium myrtillus Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Indices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of bilberry supplementation on cardiometabolic indices, including lipid profiles, glycemic indices, body composition, and inflammatory and oxidative factors. The analysis included 11 RCTs with 409 individuals, showing a marginally significant reduction in HbA1c and a significant change in LDL, but no significant effects on other cardiometabolic indices.
Efficacy of Bilberry and Grape Seed Extract Supplement Interventions to Improve Glucose and Cholesterol Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Different Populations-A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Systematic review of 24 intervention studies on bilberry, blackcurrant, and grape seed extracts. Bilberry and blackcurrant extract lowered HbA1c and cholesterol levels, especially in older Chinese subjects with T2DM. Grape seed extract may reduce blood pressure in subjects with hypertension or metabolic syndrome.
A 12-Week-Long Intake of Bilberry Extract (L.) Improved Objective Findings of Ciliary Muscle Contraction of the Eye: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Comparison Trial.
A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the effects of 240 mg bilberry extract on ciliary muscle contraction in 109 healthy adults. The bilberry group showed significant improvements in post-load HFC-1 values and ΔHFC-1 values compared to placebo, indicating relief of tonic accommodation caused by VDT tasks.
An evidence-based systematic review of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.
An evidence-based systematic review of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) covering scientific literature, expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.
Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) for night vision--a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials.
Systematic review of placebo-controlled trials on V. myrtillus-extracted anthocyanosides for night vision. Of 30 trials, 12 were placebo-controlled, with 4 recent RCTs showing negative outcomes. Positive effects were reported in less rigorous trials. The hypothesis that V. myrtillus anthocyanosides improve normal night vision is not supported by rigorous studies.
Efficacy and Safety of Anthocyanin-Rich Extract in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
A multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study investigated the efficacy of anthocyanin-rich extract (ACRE) from bilberries in patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. Out of 48 patients, 34 were randomized, with 18 receiving ACRE and 8 receiving placebo. The study found no significant superiority of ACRE over placebo, although there was a significant decrease in fecal calprotectin in the ACRE group.
Extract from,, andImproves near Visual Acuity in People with Presbyopia.
A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study evaluated the effects of an AKB extract containing anthocyanins and iridoids on visual acuity and conjunctival hydration in 23 presbyopic patients. Improvement in near visual acuity was observed in 92.3% of patients in the later cycle, and conjunctival hydration improved in the Schirmer test, indicating potential benefits for presbyopic patients and those with dry eye syndrome.
Comparison of chemometric strategies for potential exposure marker discovery and false-positive reduction in untargeted metabolomics: application to the serum analysis by LC-HRMS after intake of Vaccinium fruit supplements.
The study applied chemometric strategies to untargeted LC-HRMS metabolomics for potential exposure marker discovery in a nutrikinetic study. It involved 20 volunteers after a single intake of polyphenolic-rich Vaccinium myrtillus and Vaccinium corymbosum supplements. Significant features were identified, minimizing false positives, and several metabolites were associated with Vaccinium berry consumption for the first time.
Impact of short-term bilberry supplementation on glycemic control, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and antioxidant status in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
RCT assessing the effect of bilberry supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profile, antioxidant, and inflammatory status in 20 patients with type 2 diabetes. Bilberry supplementation showed no significant effects on cardiovascular risk factors, antioxidant status, or inflammatory status, but there was a non-significant tendency for improved glycemic control.
Freeze-dried bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) dietary supplement improves walking distance and lipids after myocardial infarction: an open-label randomized clinical trial.
Open-label RCT of freeze-dried bilberry supplementation in patients post-myocardial infarction. The bilberry group showed a significant increase in 6-minute walk test distance and a reduction in oxidized LDL compared to control, suggesting potential cardiometabolic benefits.
Bilberry extract supplementation for preventing eye fatigue in video display terminal workers.
RCT of bilberry extract supplementation in 80 office workers using video display terminals. Bilberry extract improved objective and subjective parameters of eye fatigue after 8 weeks, compared to placebo.
Consumption of bilberries controls gingival inflammation.
RCT investigating the effect of bilberry consumption on gingival inflammation in individuals with gingivitis. Consumption of 500 g bilberries daily significantly reduced bleeding on probing and cytokine levels, including IL-1b, IL-6, and VEGF, compared to placebo and was comparable to standard care.
Bilberry juice modulates plasma concentration of NF-kappaB related inflammatory markers in subjects at increased risk of CVD.
RCT investigating the effect of bilberry juice on inflammation and antioxidant status in subjects with CVD risk factors. Bilberry juice decreased plasma concentrations of CRP, IL-6, IL-15, and MIG, but increased TNF-alpha. Plasma quercetin and p-coumaric acid increased in the bilberry group.
Bilberry Supplementation after Myocardial Infarction Decreases Microvesicles in Blood and Affects Endothelial Vesiculation.
Open-label study of bilberry extract supplementation in myocardial infarction patients over 8 weeks. Bilberry extract decreased platelet-derived and endothelial-derived microvesicles in blood and reduced endothelial vesiculation in vitro, suggesting cardioprotective effects.
Fasting serum hippuric acid is elevated after bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) consumption and associates with improvement of fasting glucose levels and insulin secretion in persons at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
RCT assessing the effect of a bilberry-enriched diet on serum hippuric acid levels and glucose metabolism in 47 individuals with metabolic syndrome features. The bilberry group showed a significant increase in fasting serum hippuric acid, which correlated with improved fasting glucose levels and insulin secretion.
Intake of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease by inducing favorable changes in lipoprotein profiles.
RCT involving 36 participants (25 women and 11 men) consuming 150 g of frozen bilberries 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The study found significant decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-C, TG, glucose, and albumin, and an increase in HDL-C, suggesting bilberries may reduce CVD risk.
Protective effect of bilberry extract as a pretreatment on induced oral mucositis in hamsters.
RCT in hamsters evaluating the effect of bilberry extract on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. The bilberry extract group showed significantly lower oral mucositis scores and less weight reduction compared to the control group.
Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome.
RCT studying the impact of bilberries on inflammation in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Bilberry consumption tended to decrease serum inflammatory markers and significantly affected inflammation scores, suggesting reduced cardiometabolic risk.
The effect of bilberry nutritional supplementation on night visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study investigating the effect of bilberry supplementation on night visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in young males. The study found no significant effect of bilberry on night vision metrics compared to placebo.
Probiotic fruit beverages with different polyphenol profiles attenuated early insulin response.
RCT comparing the impact of beverages containing bilberry, blackcurrant, beetroot, mango, and rose hip on postprandial insulin and glucose responses in 11 healthy adults. Beverages with bilberry, blackcurrant, mango, or rose hip significantly attenuated early postprandial insulin response, with bilberry and rose hip showing the greatest effect due to higher phenolic content.
Effects of Bilberry Supplementation on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
This narrative review examines the potential effects of bilberry supplementation on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. It highlights bilberry's antioxidant properties and its role in preventing metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. The review suggests that while bilberry supplementation may be beneficial, further large clinical trials are needed to clarify its effects in patients with T2DM or CVD.
Bilberry ingestion improves disease activity in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis - an open pilot study.
Open pilot study testing a daily standardized anthocyanin-rich bilberry preparation in 13 patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis over 9 weeks. 63.4% of patients achieved remission, and 90.9% showed a response. Significant decreases in total Mayo score and fecal calprotectin levels were observed, indicating a positive effect on disease activity.