Last verified: 17 days ago
Bilberry
Also known as: Vaccinium myrtillus, European blueberry, whortleberry, bilberry extract
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Berry rich in anthocyanins. Modest evidence for skin and eye health; limited proof for blood sugar or heart benefits.
-
What it does
Bilberry is a small dark European berry closely related to blueberries, packed with plant pigments called anthocyanins. Clinical research suggests it may improve skin firmness, reduce wrinkles,...
-
Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
-
Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies
-
Found in
AG1 (Athletic Greens), Physician's Choice 15 Billion Probiotic, Physician's Choice Digestive Enzymes and 4 more
What the Science Says
Bilberry is a small dark European berry closely related to blueberries, packed with plant pigments called anthocyanins. Clinical research suggests it may improve skin firmness, reduce wrinkles, and brighten skin tone when taken as a fermented extract over about 3 months. Some early evidence points to potential benefits for eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration and presbyopia, though most human trials are small and short-term.
What It Doesn't Do
Won't meaningfully lower your LDL cholesterol — a well-designed crossover trial found no effect. Doesn't significantly improve blood sugar control in diabetics based on current short-term evidence. Not a proven heart disease treatment. Anti-cancer claims are based only on lab and animal studies, not human trials.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Fermented bilberry extract reduced wrinkle depth and improved skin firmness after 84 days in a placebo-controlled trial.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Bilberry-containing supplements showed early promise for supporting vision in age-related macular degeneration and presbyopia.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Short-term bilberry supplementation showed a trend toward lower HbA1c in type 2 diabetics, but did not reach statistical significance.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 1.4 g/day extract
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic data in the provided studies; anthocyanin absorption is generally considered moderate and variable in humans
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human trials are very small (20–66 participants) and short-term, limiting confidence in results
- Anti-cancer and muscle-protection claims come from animal and cell studies only — no human clinical proof provided
- No standardized dose established across studies, making product comparisons unreliable
- Open-label eye health studies lack placebo controls, inflating apparent benefit
Products Containing Bilberry
See how Bilberry is used in these analyzed products:
AG1 (Athletic Greens)
Supplement
Physician's Choice 15 Billion Probiotic
Supplement
Physician's Choice Digestive Enzymes
Supplement
Performance Lab Vision
Supplement
Physician's Choice 60 Billion Probiotic
Supplement
Life Extension Mix Capsules
Supplement
Brain Defender
Supplement
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bilberry do?
Berry rich in anthocyanins. Modest evidence for skin and eye health; limited proof for blood sugar or heart benefits.
What is the effective dose of Bilberry?
No established dose from provided studies
Is Bilberry safe?
Most human trials are very small (20–66 participants) and short-term, limiting confidence in results
What doesn't Bilberry do?
Won't meaningfully lower your LDL cholesterol — a well-designed crossover trial found no effect.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25