Bilberry is the European cousin of the blueberry. In America, it goes by the name huckleberry. For generations, bilberry benefits have been touted as being effective for treating wide arrays of medical maladies. The tiny purple berry was even reportedly responsible for helping improve the vision of British pilots during World War II, thus enabling them to fire with spot-on accuracy.
But, while that story may have been somewhat embellished, modern science confirms that bilberries do present a range of health benefits to the human body, including improving one's vision.
What Makes Bilberries Beneficial?
Bilberries contain a potent type of flavonoid antioxidant called anthocyanosides. This antioxidant has been shown to support the cardiovascular system and eye health.
How Does Bilberry Benefit the Eyes?
The eyes have a high concentration of tiny capillaries that can be affected by inflammation, blood pressure, and other vascular disorders. Because bilberry is effective at helping reduce inflammation, and it has the ability to strengthen the capillaries, thin the blood, and stimulate the release of vasodilators, it is believed that the fruit can have a positive effect on eye health and eyesight in general.
Where Can I Find Bilberry?
In the United States, it can be difficult finding natural bilberry growing in the wild, as it is more common in Europe. It can be found as a jam, but in this form, it can often contain high levels of sugar and preservatives.
Astaxanthin is a natural and easy-to-find alternative to bilberry. This red-colored pigment is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature, and it is one of the few that has the ability to cross the blood barrier, thus allowing it to fight free radicals within the eyes.
More importantly, unlike other types and sources of antioxidants, BioAstin® Hawaiian Astaxanthin™ has the unique ability to move in an unrestricted way through the body, where it can benefit and protect every single cell within the body.
If you are interested in learning more about nature's most powerful antioxidant or about our BioAstin® Hawaiian Astaxanthin™ products, you can find out all about them at our natural Hawaiian Astaxanthin page.