Does Bilberry Work?

Bilberry, a sweet-tasting fruit related to the blueberry, is a very popular nutritional supplement. Along with other foods like acai and goji, bilberry is marketed as a "superfruit" capable of preventing and treating medical conditions. Many people have wondered if bilberry actually works, or if it is one of many scams perpetuated by the supplement industry.

If you're wondering if bilberry works, the answer will depend tremendously on why you want to use it. Yes, bilberry does "work" as a healthy fruit high in antioxidants. It does not, however, "work" as a cure for blindness or cancer. Here's a run-down of the evidence of bilberry's efficacy.

What Bilberry Probably Works For

Current scientific evidence does support many of the traditional uses associated with bilberry. Bilberry fruit is a powerful antioxidant, or a product capable of protectng cells from free radical damage. Bilberry, in high doses, also appears to prevent retinopathy, which is a condition most often caused by hypertension and diabetes. High concentrations of anthocyanins, a class of antioxidant found in bilberry, can restore circulation to the eyes and prevent or delay blindness caused by these conditions. However, it is not a substitute for other treatments.

What Bilberry Might Work For

Most of bilberry's uses have not been thoroughly investigated by modern science. Bilberry may or may not work for these conditions; evidence is too scant to confirm or refute traditional claims. It's too soon to tell if bilberry can treat chest pain, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, atherosclerosis, high blood sugar, gout, osteoarthritis, skin disease, urinary tract infections or chronic fatigue syndrome. Although it is a plausible complementary treatment for all of these conditions, none of these uses have been proven to be effective.

What Bilberry Doesn't Work For

Bilberry was used during the first and second World Wars to improve night vision and overall vision in snipers and pilots. Because of its popularity during this time period, many practitioners now recommend bilberry to improve overall eye health and vision in healthy adults. However, studies have found that bilberry is no more effective than a placebo for improving a person's overall eyesight, peripheral vision, or night vision. Consult an optometrist or ophthamologist if you have problems with your eyesight.