The Benefits Of Bilberry Extract

The bilberry, native to Europe and North America, is a close relative of the blueberry, and bears the botanical name actinium myrtillus. The sweet, blue, or blackish fruit grows on bushes that best thrive in soils that are both acidic and damp. From ancient times, the bilberry has been known for its medicinal properties. Apart from the berries, the leaves too are used in the healing process.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the bilberry is that it is said to sharpen vision at night. World War II pilots found that the more bilberries they consumed, the keener was their vision while flying sorties at night. Scientific research has proven that consumption of bilberries not merely retards declining vision, but actually results in keener eyesight. As early as the sixteenth century, honey was added to bilberries to form a syrup. This syrup called rob was administered to those suffering from diarrhea. Our ancestors seemed to have used the bilberry as an antidote for a number of medical problems including diabetes and indigestion. Today the effect of the berry on vision is what is being most researched.

Researchers hold that the phytochemicals in the bilberry are responsible not only for lowering of the blood pressure but also for helping in the prevention of clot formation. According to studies, the nervous system reaps benefits too. Besides these advantages, it has been noticed that there is a marked improvement in the flow of blood in the circulatory system. Scientists claim that the antioxidants in the fruit are fifty times more effective than Vitamin E and ten times more efficacious than Vitamin C.

Eating bilberries helps improve the efficiency of the vascular system, enabling the connected organs to function better. For instance, the circulatory system shows an increase in blood circulation. In consequence, the organs perform more efficiently and visual acuteness too is enhanced.

In places where fresh bilberries are scarce, there are always supplements to be had in the form of extracts or capsules. However, maximum benefit can be derived if the bilberries are fresh and the extracts are from reputed companies. The manufacturing process is equally important. Equipment should be free of contamination. Surprising though this may seem, even the harvesting of the berry is important. The fruit should have reached the correct ripeness when picked, to have an impact on the health of an individual. Above all, quality is what counts and the bilberry is one of the most beneficial fruits on the market.

Including bilberries in your daily diet will do wonders for your health. You could buy the fruit fresh from the closest green grocer or get supplements from a health outlet. If it is clarity of vision that you want and the efficient functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, don't stint on the bilberries!