Does bilberry have any side effects?

Bilberry fruit and extract are considered generally safe, with no known side effects. However, bilberry leaf and extract should not be taken in large quantities over an extended period of time because the tannins they contain may cause severe weight loss, muscle spasms, and even death.

Who should not take bilberry?

Do not take bilberry without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or.
• medicine used to prevent blood clots, such as clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin, or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

How much bilberry should you take daily?

BY MOUTH: The typical dose of the dried, ripe berries: 20-60 grams daily. People also drink a type of tea made from 5-10 grams (1-2 teaspoons) of the mashed berries. A dose of 160 mg of bilberry extract taken twice daily has been used in people with diseased retinas.

Is bilberry good for kidneys?

Also, bilberry extract improved oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) levels in kidney tissue, which showed that bilberry extract reduced the degree of oxidative stress and kidney damage induced by KBrO3.

Can bilberry improve vision?

Early research shows that taking 60 mg of a bilberry chemical, called anthocyanin, twice daily for at least 12 months improves vision in people with glaucoma. Vision problems in people with high blood pressure (hypertensive retinopathy).

Does bilberry raise blood pressure?

Summary Bilberries may help lower blood pressure, reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, and protect you from blood clots, thus improving your heart health.

Is bilberry good for your liver?

Despite widespread use, bilberry has not been specifically linked to liver injury, either in the form of transient serum enzyme elevations or clinically apparent acute liver injury.

How long should you take bilberry?

Bilberry fruit extracts are POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for medicinal uses for up to one year. Also, a specific combination product (Mirtogenol) containing bilberry and French maritime pine bark (Pycnogenol) has been used safely for up to 6 months.

What are the health benefits of bilberry?

The antioxidants in bilberries can help reduce inflammation in your body. This helps lower your risk of inflammatory diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Bilberry contains phenolic acids, and research suggests phenolic acids may help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Is bilberry good for your eyes?

Bilberry is also sometimes used by mouth to treat eye conditions such as disorders of the retina, cataracts, nearsightedness, and glaucoma. There is some evidence that bilberry may help retinal disorders, but there is no good scientific evidence that bilberry is effective for treating other eye conditions.

Which is better for eyes blueberry or bilberry?

Because both fruits are rich in antioxidants, they may be used for similar conditions. However, folk medicine uses bilberries more often for eye problems, blood flow, and diarrhea, while blueberries are preferred for chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive function, and urinary tract infections.

What are the most common bilberry side effects?

Common side effects of Bilberry include: Wasting syndrome ( cachexia ): weight loss, muscle loss, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite Anemia Yellowing skin and eyes ( jaundice) Excitation at high doses (animal studies) May affect blood sugar levels

Does bilberry interfere with medications?

Taking bilberry leaves along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. Surgery: Bilberry might affect blood glucose levels. This could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking bilberry at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Does bilberry interact with high blood pressure?

Eating bilberry fruit containing a high amount of a certain chemical, called anthocyanoside, seems to improve retina problems associated with diabetes or high blood pressure.

What are the benefits of bilberry?

Bilberry Benefits and Uses: The fruit bilberry is richly vested with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, collagen stabilization and astringent properties. The fruit has the capability of improving night vision and can effectively inhibit macular degeneration which aids in the natural treatment of retinal problems, glaucoma, and cataracts.