Is Bilberry safe?
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Research Analysis by Consensus
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Introduction
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a small, dark blue fruit known for its high content of anthocyanins and other bioactive compounds. It has been studied for various health benefits, including its potential effects on cardiovascular health, diabetes, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This synthesis aims to evaluate the safety of bilberry based on findings from multiple research studies.
Key Insights
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Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health:
- Bilberry consumption has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and improve lipid profiles, which may provide cardioprotective benefits .
- Bilberry extract improves hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice, suggesting potential benefits for managing type 2 diabetes .
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Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties:
- Bilberry has significant anti-inflammatory effects, reducing markers like tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β .
- It also exhibits strong antioxidant properties, which help in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in various models .
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Drug Interaction and Safety:
- Studies indicate that bilberry does not significantly affect drug-metabolizing enzymes, suggesting a low risk of interaction with co-administered drugs.
- No adverse health effects were observed in rats consuming bilberry extract, indicating its safety as a dietary supplement.
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Nutritional and Environmental Factors:
- The nutritional content of bilberries, including sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds, varies based on environmental conditions, but these variations do not impact its safety.
Conclusion
Bilberry appears to be safe for consumption, with multiple studies highlighting its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, diabetes management, and inflammation reduction. It does not significantly interact with drug-metabolizing enzymes, further supporting its safety profile. Overall, bilberry can be considered a safe and potentially beneficial dietary supplement.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effects of Bilberry and Oat intake on lipids, inflammation and exercise capacity after Acute Myocardial Infarction (BIOAMI): study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Dietary anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract ameliorates hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in diabetic mice.
A comparison of fruit quality parameters of wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) growing at different locations.
Effect of bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats.
Effects of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) in combination with lactic acid bacteria on intestinal oxidative stress induced by ischemia-reperfusion in mouse.
Dried Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Alleviates the Inflammation and Adverse Metabolic Effects Caused by a High-Fat Diet in a Mouse Model of Obesity
Polyphenol-rich bilberry ameliorates total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol when implemented in the diet of Zucker diabetic fatty rats.
Old Plant, New Possibilities: Wild Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L., Ericaceae) in Topical Skin Preparation
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtyllus L.)
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