For hundreds of years, bilberry has been used both as a cooking ingredient and a medicinal berry. The fruit is rich in compounds called anthocyanosides, which have antioxidants that fight negative and damaging particles in the body and prevent and reverse damage. Now, bilberry tea has become a way to harness the power of the berry and improve vision, digestion and circulation, and fight heart disease and diabetes. However, the Food and Drug Administration has no oversight over the growing or selling of bilberry and human research is still limited.
Vision
Bilberry's positive effects are most linked with vision problems. While it has been used to prevent the worsening of cataracts, reduce the risk of developing glaucoma and treat inflammation of the eye in people living with diabetes or high blood pressure, according to the National Institutes of Health, there is unclear scientific evidence for this. In the past, bilberry was also used to improve night vision but there's a lack of evidence to prove the benefit in these areas.
Heart Disease and Circulation
Anthocyanosides prevent LDL cholesterol, bad cholesterol, from interacting with free radicals, a process called oxidation, in animals, according to the UMMC. Oxidation is a risk factor for blocked blood vessels, which can cause heart attacks and stroke. And in Europe, bilberry has been used to treat chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that causes leg swelling, varicose veins, leg pain and skin ulcers. The NIH cautions that more research is needed before any treatment recommendations can be made.
Digestion
Bilberry fruit contains tannins, found in the tea when the herb is steeped. These compounds work to fight inflammation and tighten and constrict tissue, according to the UMMC. For this reason, bilberry has long been used to fight diarrhea because it helps to reduce inflammation in the intestines. However, no studies have yet been done to prove this, according to the UMMC.
Diabetes
Traditionally, bilberry leaves, which are used in making teas, has also been used to fight diabetes. According to the NIH, animal research has shown that extract in the fruit leaves can lower blood sugar level. But human research needs to be done before treatment recommendations can be made.
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