Bilberry, or Vaccinium myrtillus, is a type of blueberry, and the plant itself is a small shrub found mainly in Europe. It is a deciduous with bright green leaves, bell-shaped, pinkish-green flowers, and small bluish-black fruits. Bilberry has long historical and medicinal use in Europe. The berries have been traditionally eaten as food and started being used as medicine in the Middle Ages. The United States Pharmacopeia published quality standards for bilberry powdered extract in 2008. This fruit may have a number of health benefits during pregnancy; however, there is insufficient evidence to support these claims. Consult with your health care provider prior to taking bilberry during pregnancy.
Antioxidant Power
According to Debra Bruce, Ph.D. in her "Life Extension" article, bilberries contain naturally-occurring substances called anthocyanins, which are responsible for the dark blue, red, and purple colors of various fruits and vegetables. Anthocyanins belong to the flavonoid group of polyphenols. Flavonoids are potent antioxidants that can help protect your body against the free radical damage that can result from stress, environmental toxins, poor diet, and the aging process. Taking antioxidants, such as bilberry, during pregnancy may help protect your body from oxidative damage and keep you and your baby healthy and strong.
Varicose Veins
During pregnancy you may be more susceptible to developing varicose veins. Your growing baby puts increased pressure on your abdomen and can restrict the flow of blood in your legs, causing it to pool and your veins to become varicose, or enlarged. The anthocyanins in bilberry may help improve the health and strength of your blood vessel walls, according to Dr. Bruce. Bilberry can improve venous and capillary blood flow, thereby improving your overall blood circulation. Furthermore, anthocyanins can strengthen collagen, which helps maintain the strength and elasticity of your blood vessels and prevents varicose veins.
Blood Sugar Control
Some women develop a condition called gestational diabetes, or poor blood sugar control, during pregnancy. Bilberry leaves may help you to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. According to Dr. Bruce, the leaves contain a substance called glucoquinine. This healthy compound can help reduce your blood sugar levels and prevent the binding of glucose to proteins, a process called glycation. You may find bilberry leaves in capsule, tablet or liquid tincture form.
Vision Health
You may experience temporary vision changes during your pregnancy. This is generally due to hormonal or metabolism changes, alterations in your blood circulation, or water retention. One of the popular uses of bilberry in Europe is for vision enhancement. The anthocyanins in bilberry can reduce capillary permeability and improve capillary resistance, according to Dr. Bruce. This can help improve blood flow to your eyes, strengthen your retinas and help improve your overall visual function. Bilberry may also stimulate the production of rhodopsin, which is a protein required for near vision.
Safety
According to Medline Plus, there are no scientific studies regarding the safe use of bilberry during pregnancy. However, eating bilberry may be considered safe during pregnancy based on its historical use as a food. There are no known issues with toxicity, although you may experience increased bleeding, hydroquinone poisoning or an upset stomach if you take bilberry in large doses. Furthermore, fresh bilberry fruit may cause diarrhea. Consult with your health care provider if you experience these or any other negative side effects while taking bilberry.
References
- "HerbalGram: Bilberry"; Gayle Engels; 2009
- "Life Extension: Bilberry"; Debra Fulghum Bruce, Ph.D.; 2006
- Baby Center: Vision Changes During Pregnancy
- Medline Plus: Bilberry
