What Is Bilberry Jam?

The bilberry plant is native to Europe, but you can find varieties in many parts of the world, including the U.S. This shrub produces fruit that bears a close resemblance to the blueberry and, due to the naturally sweet flavor of the fruit, many people use bilberries to make jam, similar to any other fruited jam. In addition to the flavor, bilberry gained in popularity over the years once researchers began to identify potential health benefits of the fruit.

History

During World War II, British fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force noted a marked improvement in their night vision after eating bilberry jam. Since then, many studies have evaluated the claims of the RAF, but the mixed results from these studies do not provide conclusive evidence that bilberry will improve vision. But these claims by the fighter pilots brought a considerable amount of attention to bilberries and may offer an insight into the popularity of this fruit as a supplement.

Benefits

Even though bilberry has no proven effect on night vision, the antioxidant properties of the fruit may offer some amount of protection to your eyes and other body systems. Some possible antioxidant benefits include macular degeneration prevention and cancer prevention. The anthocyanosides found in bilberry may improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clot formation. Bilberry may also help reduce inflammation.

Other Forms

You may wish to talk with your doctor about how much bilberry jam to consume if she recommends that you should use bilberry as a supplement to prevent or treat a health condition. You may also consider making tea or simply eating the fresh or dried bilberries. If your doctor thinks you require a significant dose of bilberry, he may recommend a pill or liquid extract from the bilberry to ensure that you have an adequate and steady intake of bilberry each day.

Considerations

Bilberry is not appropriate for everyone since the components of the fruit could interact with medications or health conditions. Eating a serving of bilberry jam will not typically cause a health interaction, but you should not consume large quantities in food or supplement form without first consulting your doctor.