15 Awesome Health Benefits Of Bilberry

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A large bowl of berries ranging from raspberries to strawberries is absolute heaven. Not only are they beautiful to look at and are yummy to eat they are also very healthy. One more berry fruit that one must try is bilberry which is a small black fruit, wrinkled in appearance with a sweet acidic taste and plenty of tiny seeds. It is similar to blueberries and has come from Northern parts of Europe. Bilberries have several compounds especially anti oxidants which makes it a very important health fruit.

Given Below Is A List Of Some Of The Health Benefits Of Bilberry:

1. Helps Against Cancer:

Bilberry has delphinidin and glycosides which prevent the formation of cancerous cells. Therefore bilberry can be used against different cancers like colon cancer and blood cancer.

2. Improves Cardiovascular Health:

The bad cholesterol oxidizes and forms a layer on the inner lining of the blood vessels which obstructs smooth flow of blood and results in heart attack. Bilberries have anthocyanosides which do not allow the oxidation of the bad cholesterol thus reducing the risk of heart attack.

3. Useful against Urinary Tract Infections:

Bilberry contains a compound epicatechin which prevents the UTI causing bacteria E Coli from settling down on the urinary bladder and flushes it out through urine thus preventing UTI.

4. For Healthy Eyes:

Bilberry contains large amounts of anthocyanin which is good for the eyes. It is known to improve vision especially in the dark. It is also believed to prevent loss of sight in the elderly.

5. Good For The Gastrointestinal System:

Bilberry contains tannins which are good for gastrointestinal system. They give relief from diarrhea as they have anti inflammatory and caustic properties. The presence of fiber gives relief from constipation.

6. Helps Control Diabetes:

The large concentration of anthocyanins helps in controlling the blood glucose levels. They are also believed to improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. Bilberry also prevents permanent damage to blood vessels especially of the eyes caused due to high concentration of glucose in blood (retinopathy).

7. Protects the Kidneys:

Bilberry prevents kidney failure by protecting it against oxidative damage. The high concentration of antioxidants prevents any damage to the kidneys. It helps maintain the concentration of urea, nitric oxide and creatinine.

8. Useful Against Varicose Veins:

Bilberry has a very strong antioxidant anthocyanidin which makes the walls of the capillaries strong and makes the blood vessels suppler. Overall it improves blood circulation and hence can be used effectively against varicose veins.

9. Used To Cure Sore Throat:

The high antioxidant activity of bilberry makes it useful in treatment of sore throats. Usually dried bilberry fruit is boiled in water and this tea is used in the treatment of sore throat.

10. Protects the Liver:

The strong antioxidant action of bilberry prevents liver damage. It increases the concentration of vitamin C and glutathione and reduces the concentration of nitric oxide both of which proves to be beneficial for the liver.

11. Good for the Skin:

The high antioxidant action eliminates the free radicals thus protecting the skin against premature aging and wrinkles. The presence of pectin in bilberry makes it useful to prevent acne.

12. Useful Against Rheumatoid Arthritis:

The strong anti inflammatory prowess of bilberry is due to anthocyanins and flavanoids which makes it useful to give relief from the rheumatoid arthritis.

13. Useful for Weight Loss:

Bilberry is low in calories, high in water content and fiber (pectin) hence can be a good bet for weight loss diet.

14. Lowers Blood Pressure:

The antioxidant activity dilates the blood vessels and reduces the pressure and enables smooth blood flow. Hence bilberry extracts are recommended to lower blood pressure.