“Bilberry?”Here!Vaccinium myrtillus
Hasn’t appeared in a scanned product yet.
As a supplement
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.
The dried ripe fruit of a European shrub related to the blueberry, used both as a food and, more concentrated, as a standardized extract in supplements.
Why it’s used
Taken largely to support eye health and circulation, a use rooted in traditional herbal practice and a famous (and largely unverified) World War II pilot anecdote.
What the evidence says
According to the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there is not enough reliable scientific evidence to confirm that bilberry improves eyesight, night vision, or other health conditions, despite its popularity for these uses.
Context
NCCIH notes that most clinical trials of bilberry for vision or eye conditions have been small or poorly designed, limiting what conclusions can be drawn.
Rumors
Bilberry supplements improve night vision.
We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.
What was measured is not yet noted.
Who’s saying this
- InVite® Health — a brand: sells its own vitamins and supplements
How we know who this is
- “Twenty years ago, InVite® Health set out to revolutionize the way that integrative medicine was being formulated, sold and used.” (their page)
- “InVite® Health’s mission is to help you integrate vitamins into your life, because the world (like your health) is ever evolving.” (their page)
- InVite® Health — a brand: sells its own vitamins and supplements
Bilberry extract helps regulate blood sugar and improves insulin sensitivity.
We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.
What was measured is not yet noted.
Who’s saying this
- Wellbeing Nutrition — a brand: sells its own nutritional supplements
How we know who this is
- “Download the Wellbeing Nutrition App.” (their page)
- “We are not just another supplement company.” (their page)
- Wellbeing Nutrition — a brand: sells its own nutritional supplements
Bilberry strengthens blood vessels and improves circulation, helping varicose veins and venous insufficiency.
We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.
What was measured is not yet noted.
Who’s saying this
- drweil.com — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it
Bilberry can increase bleeding risk and should be avoided with blood thinners.
We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.
What was measured is not yet noted.
Who’s saying this
- drweil.com — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it
Bilberry extract relieves eye strain from screens by improving blood flow in the eyes.
We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.
What was measured is not yet noted.
Who’s saying this
- Healthy Directions — a brand: develops and sells doctor-formulated dietary supplements
How we know who this is
- “Healthy Directions is a leading health and wellness company that develops doctor and scientifically-formulated dietary supplements to help people live healthier, more active lives.” (their page)
- Healthy Directions — a brand: develops and sells doctor-formulated dietary supplements