Bilberry Research
38 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7/10
Investigating the Effects of Vaccinium myrtillus Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Indices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Talebi S et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025)
Therefore, long-term and high-quality trials are needed to confirm the promising effects of bilberries.© 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Mean changes and their SDs were used to calculate overall effect sizes, with the Hozo et al. method converting SEs, 95% CIs, and IQRs to SDs.
- Combining five effect sizes from the five trials on long-term effects of bilberry administration compared with controls resulted in a non-significant decrease in FBG (WMD: -0.08 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.22 to 0.07, p = 0.30).
- For HbA1c, the meta-analysis of three RCTs showed a marginally significant reduction (WMD: -1.63%, 95% CI: -3.36% to 0.11%, p = 0.06).
Efficacy of Bilberry and Grape Seed Extract Supplement Interventions to Improve Glucose and Cholesterol Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Different Populations-A Systematic Review of the Literature
Grohmann T et al. • Nutrients (2021)
In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.
- Intervention with grape seed extract may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects with hypertension or metabolic syndrome.
- Differential responsiveness in cholesterol and blood pressure outcomes between stratified populations could not be explained by age, dose or study duration.
- In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.
A Review of Major Compounds in Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Fruits and Leaves: Isolation, Purification, and Their Antiaging Effects
Patra JK et al. • Nutrients (2026)
This review offers a summary of the existing information on the antiaging potential of bilberry fruits and leaves, and analytically reviews the outcome of clinical trials, with special attention towards its medicinal properties.
- It is also stated to promote antioxidant defense and lower oxidative stress, having antiaging, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, antimicrobial effects, lowering blood glucose and other age-related diseases, etc.
- Reports suggest that apart from the fruit, the leaves of bilberry are equally rich in numerous bioactive compounds of medicinal importance.
- This current review offers valuable insights on bilberry fruits, leaves, and extracts, providing an inclusive assessment of their bioactive compound configuration, related biological prospects, and the extraction methodology of their major compounds.
Bilberry for night vision: A systematic review
Canter PH, Ernst E • Survey of Ophthalmology (2004)
Evidence for night vision enhancement is inconclusive.
- Historical use for night vision
- Mixed modern evidence
- More research needed
An evidence-based systematic review of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration
Ulbricht C et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2009)
An evidence-based systematic review including written and statistical analysis of scientific literature, expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.
- An evidence-based systematic review including written and statistical analysis of scientific literature, expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.
- Published in Journal of dietary supplements (2009)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Antiaging, Brightening, and Antioxidant Efficacy of Fermented Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Nobile V et al. • Nutrients (2024)
Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of FBE in improving skin aging and complexion evenness.
- At D84, the wrinkle depth had decreased by 10.6%, Ra had improved by 7.9%, Rz had decreased by 7.3%, R0 had improved by 13.3%, R2 had improved by 12.4%, and skin antioxidant capacity had increased by 20.8%.
- ITA° increased by 20.8% and was accompanied by a decrease in the skin's redness component by 16.8% and an increase in the lightness component by 2.2%.
- The variation of all the above-mentioned parameters was statistically significant between the FBE and PL groups.
A 12-Week-Long Intake of Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Improved Objective Findings of Ciliary Muscle Contraction of the Eye: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Comparison Trial
Kosehira M et al. • Nutrients (2020)
This study shows that oral consumption of 240 mg SBE extract for 12 weeks relieves the tonic accommodation of the ciliary muscle caused by VDT tasks and near-vision tasks.
- Results showed that post-load HFC-1 values at weeks 8 and 12 were significantly improved in the SBE group than in the placebo group (p = 0.014 and 0.017, respectively).
- Regarding the difference between before and after the task load (ΔHFC-1), the values were significantly better in the SBE group than in the placebo group at week 4 and 12 (p = 0.018 and 0.049, respectively).
- Tests were performed before and after VDT tasks at week 0, 4, 8, and 12; high-frequency component (HFC)-1 value was the evaluation outcome.
Effects of Macuprev(®) Supplementation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Double-Blind Randomized Morpho-Functional Study Along 6 Months of Follow-Up
Parravano M et al. • Advances in therapy (2019)
In intermediate AMD, Macuprev® supplementation increases the function of the macular pre-ganglionic elements, with no associated retinal and choroidal ultra-structural changes.
- In intermediate AMD, Macuprev® supplementation increases the function of the macular pre-ganglionic elements, with no associated retinal and choroidal ultra-structural changes.
- Published in Advances in therapy (2019)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A CONSORT-compliant, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of purified anthocyanin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Zhang PW et al. • Medicine (2015)
Further studies are warranted to determine the clinical applications of anthocyanin in NAFLD.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01940263.
- Compared to controls, the anthocyanin group exhibited significant decreases (P < 0.05, all comparisons) in plasma alanine aminotransferase (-19.1% vs 3.1%), cytokeratin-18 M30 fragment (-8.8% vs 5.6%) and myeloperoxidase (-75.0% vs -44.8%).
- Significant decreases from baseline in fasting blood glucose and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance were observed in the anthocyanin group; however, these differences were not significant relative to placebo controls.
- Further studies are warranted to determine the clinical applications of anthocyanin in NAFLD.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01940263.
Extract from Aronia melanocarpa, Lonicera caerulea, and Vaccinium myrtillus Improves near Visual Acuity in People with Presbyopia
Szumny D et al. • Nutrients (2024)
Preliminary studies show an improvement in near visual acuity and conjunctival hydration on the Schirmer test, but this needs to be confirmed in further studies.
- Only in the next cycle of the study was an improvement in near visual acuity observed in 92.3% of the patients.
- On the other hand, an improvement in conjunctival wetting was observed in the Schirmer test at the beginning of week 6 of administration in 80% of patients.
- This effect was weakened in subsequent weeks of conducting the experiment to 61.5%.
Influence of Ingesting a Flavonoid-Rich Supplement on the Metabolome and Concentration of Urine Phenolics in Overweight/Obese Women
Nieman DC et al. • Journal of proteome research (2017)
This randomized clinical trial of overweight/obese women showed that 12 weeks ingestion of a mixed flavonoid nutrient supplement was associated with a corresponding increase in urine total phenolics and gut-derived phenolic metabolites.
- At 4 weeks, urine total phenolics increased 24% in F versus P with similar changes at 12 weeks (interaction effect, P = 0.041).
- Metabolomics data indicated shifts in 63 biochemicals in F versus P with 70% from the lipid and xenobiotics superpathways.
- The largest fold changes in F were measured for three gut-derived phenolics including 3-methoxycatechol sulfate, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid sulfate, and 1,2,3-benzenetriol sulfate (interaction effects, p ≤ 0.050).
Bilberry extract supplementation for preventing eye fatigue in video display terminal workers
Ozawa Y et al. • The journal of nutrition, health & aging (2015)
BE supplementation improved some of the objective and subjective parameters of eye fatigue induced by VDT loads.
- The VDT load-induced reduction in CFF was alleviated after 8 weeks of BE supplementation (95% confidence interval, 0.10-1.60; p=0.023), in contrast to placebo supplementation, while NPA variation was not.
- BE supplementation improved some of the objective and subjective parameters of eye fatigue induced by VDT loads.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
An Open-Label Pilot Study on Macumax Supplementation for Dry-Type Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Majeed M et al. • Journal of medicinal food (2021)
Clinical Trial Registration number: CTRI/2016/02/006676.
- In the case of objective symptoms, only 40% of the subjects (P < .05) had abnormal Amsler's grid aberration scores on day 90 compared with 77.5% of subjects at the beginning of the study.
- No adverse events were observed during the study.
- This pilot study provides evidence that Macumax® supplementation is safe and maintained eye health without further progression of the disease in patients with early-stage dry-type AMD.
Impact of short-term bilberry supplementation on glycemic control, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and antioxidant status in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes
Chan SW et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)
This short-term study of bilberry supplementation did not show significant effects on cardiovascular risk factors or antioxidant status, but the tendency for improved glycemic control may suggest a longer treatment period may be effective in diabetic patients.© 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- HbA1c was reduced by 0.31 ± 0.58% during bilberry supplementation, but this change was not significantly different from that with placebo.
- Results showed no effect on body weight, blood pressure, or lipid profile.
- Antioxidant status, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status showed no significant differences across treatments.
No Effect of Isolated Anthocyanins from Bilberry Fruit and Black Rice on LDL Cholesterol or other Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease in Adults with Elevated Cholesterol: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Trial
Aboufarrag H et al. • Molecular nutrition & food research (2022)
These data do not support the notion that regular consumption of anthocyanins beneficially affects glycemic control or lipoprotein profiles or functions.
- These data do not support the notion that regular consumption of anthocyanins beneficially affects glycemic control or lipoprotein profiles or functions.
- It is possible the no effect observation is due to the relatively short duration of treatments.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Comparison of chemometric strategies for potential exposure marker discovery and false-positive reduction in untargeted metabolomics: application to the serum analysis by LC-HRMS after intake of Vaccinium fruit supplements
Renai L et al. • Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry (2022)
Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
- The correct selection of statistically significant PEMs is a crucial analytical step for understanding nutrition-health interactions.
- Principal component analysis and sample classification through linear discriminant analysis performed on PEM maximum intensity confirmed the discriminating role of these PEMs.© 2021.
- Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Fasting serum hippuric acid is elevated after bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) consumption and associates with improvement of fasting glucose levels and insulin secretion in persons at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes
de Mello VD et al. • Molecular nutrition & food research (2017)
Fasting serum hippuric acid is increased after consumption of anthocyanin-rich bilberries, and may contribute to the beneficial effect of bilberry consumption through its associations with better glycemic control and β-cell function.
- Fasting serum hippuric acid increased significantly (3.5-fold, p = 0.001) only in the BB group and correlated with changes in fasting plasma glucose concentration (r = -0.54, p < 0.05) and insulin secretion (r = 0.59, p < 0.05).
- Fasting serum hippuric acid is increased after consumption of anthocyanin-rich bilberries, and may contribute to the beneficial effect of bilberry consumption through its associations with better glycemic control and β-cell function.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Consumption of bilberries controls gingival inflammation
Widén C et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2015)
It appears that berry intake has an ameliorating effect on some markers of gingival inflammation reducing gingivitis to a similar extent compared to standard of care.
- The mean reduction in BOP before and after consumption of test product over 1 week was 41% and 59% in the groups that consumed either 250 or 500 g of bilberries/day respectively, and was 31% in the placebo group, and 58% in the standard of care reference group.
- The analysis only showed a significant reduction in cytokine levels in the group that consumed 500 g of bilberries/day.
- A statistically significant reduction was observed for IL-1b (p=0.025), IL-6 (p=0.012) and VEGF (p=0.017) in GCF samples in the group that consumed 500 g of bilberries daily.
Comparison of the postprandial effects of purple-fleshed and yellow-fleshed potatoes in healthy males with chemical characterization of the potato meals
Linderborg KM et al. • International journal of food sciences and nutrition (2015)
Since potatoes are the world's largest non-grain commodity, replacing yellow-fleshed potatoes with purple-fleshed potatoes as staple food could have large potential in maintaining public health.
- The purple potato meal caused smaller insulinemia than the yellow potato meal (iAUC 120 min 1347 and 2226, respectively, p = 0.012 and iAUC 240 min 1448 and 2403, p = 0.007) or the bilberry meal (iAUC 120 min 1920, p = 0.027).
- The purple potato meal caused a smaller plasma glucose at 40 min postprandially compared with the yellow potato meal (p = 0.044).
- The results of this study suggest that anthocyanin-containing purple-fleshed potatoes influence the postprandial insulinemia positively.
Effects of sea buckthorn and bilberry on serum metabolites differ according to baseline metabolic profiles in overweight women: a randomized crossover trial
Larmo PS et al. • The American journal of clinical nutrition (2013)
Berry intake has overall metabolic effects, which depend on the cardiometabolic risk profile at baseline.
- The effect was observed both in participants who had a metabolic profile that reflected higher cardiometabolic risk at baseline (group B: P = 0.001-0.008) and in participants who had a lower-risk profile (group A: P < 0.001-0.009).
- Although most of the changes in individual metabolites were not statistically significant after correction for multiplicity, clear trends were observed.
- Berry intake has overall metabolic effects, which depend on the cardiometabolic risk profile at baseline.