Bilberry is one of the most underrated berries from well-known berries. Not many people are aware of this berry, but this berry is simply outstanding with its benefits for the body’s needs and requirements, against possible ailments. It is expected to have been discovered in the year 1577, and till now, it has been in use for its effectiveness. The nutritional value of the bilberry fruit is so effective that it targets all health needs without any side effects. Explore more about bilberry benefits in this article.
It originated in central and northern Europe and later became famous throughout the world. It is also known as Vaccinium Cyanococcus as bilberry scientific name. Some of the other names for this fruit are wimberry, whortleberry, European blueberry, etc.
What Is Bilberry?
Bilberry is a Eurasian species which is small and dark blue in colour. The fruit belongs to the low-growing shrubs in the genus, Vaccinium. It also belongs to the Ericaceae family and all its parts are used for making medicines or for naturally treating the body ailments.
Rich with multi-nutrients, the bilberries are the complete package that your body needs for fighting against common as well as serious health issues.
Types Of Bilberries:
Bilberries are quite popular for their nutrients and are now famous throughout the world. Though there are not many varieties of the bilberries, they do vary according to their size and the region from where they are found. Some of the bilberries can be slightly large than the others, which are of the small and regular size.
Are Bilberries Good For Health?
Yes, bilberries are good for health. They contain all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are needed for the sustainable growth of the body cells and tissues that can positively impact the health, hair and skin needs.
With very fewer side effects, bilberry suits almost all people and targets the entire body’s benefits with its efficiency and high nutritional value.
Importance Of Bilberries:
The importance of bilberry is due to the right amount of nutrients in the ingredient. They may appear small in size but their benefits are tremendous and all are for the betterment of the body’s health, hair, and skin. The fruit can be easily used in any of its forms to get the required benefits for the specific problem.
Other than this, this bilberry fruit is meant to suit each and every one. Be it, small babies or adults, it can be chosen without any fear of side effects or usage troubles.
Bilberry Nutrition Facts:
The nutritional value of bilberry gives an indication of the bilberry nutrition facts. With these facts, you can get an idea about the bilberry calories, bilberry lutein and the other nutrients available in the fruit. Also, this nutritional value of bilberry will help you decide the right amount that you need to consume according to your body needs and requirements, as the overdose of this fruit can bring along some of the bilberry tea side effects.
Here are some of the nutritional facts about the bilberry fruit that defines the various nutrients available in the fruit along with the quantities. Have a look:
- Proteins: 0.7 g
- Water: 0.2 g
- Calories: 44
- Total Carbohydrates: 11.5 g
- Fibres: 2.8 g
- Vitamin A: 1.08 RE
- Total Fat: 0.5 g
- Vitamin C: 44 mg
- Sugar: 0 g
- Vitamin B6: 0.06 mg
- Calcium: 15 mg
- Iron: 0.8 mg
- Magnesium: 7 mg
- Phosphorous: 9 mg
- Potassium: 103 mg
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Zinc: 0.1 mg
- Copper: 0.11 mg
- Manganese: 3.3 mg
- Chromium: 1 mcg
Read: Cranberry Uses and Benefits
Research-Based Bilberry Benefits For Skin, Hair and Health:
Here we enlisted 18 best bilberry benefits for skin, hair and health. Let’s have a look into them.
Bilberry Health Benefits:
If you want your health to always be in the right and desirable best form then you need to have some of the ingredients that deliver a maximum of the needed benefits and advantages. But isn’t it hard to find any such ingredient that can deliver the needed benefits to the body? Well, actually, no, if you have heard about the bilberry benefits.
Bilberry contains all the right kinds of nutrients and vitamins that can enhance the health of the users. The bilberry uses and benefits have been benefiting mankind for the past many years and have been completely satisfying. The bilberry nutrition facts have also confirmed the fact that these berries are one of the best and most reliable names that can deliver the needed health benefits to the user.
If you too are interested in knowing some of the bilberry extract health benefits, then here is the list mentioning them. Have a look:
1. Bilberry Benefits for Eyes:
Bilberry and eye health are known to be connected for a long time. Bilberry for eyes ensures that with its regular consumption, people can get the accuracy to see in night as well. It contains antioxidants like anthocyanins along with a good amount of vitamin E which helps people to get the needed bilberry benefits for their eyes.
How To Consume:
- Bilberry for eye health works like wonders when taken on a regular basis.
- Have a glass of bilberry juice in the morning, with your breakfast, and get the essential bilberry benefits for the eyes.
- You can also have some solid bilberries like some evening snacks as well.
2. Maintain Heart Health:
Bilberries may be tiny in size but have enormous benefits. One of the major bilberries uses is to offer good heart health. It has been observed that bilberries are perfectly suitable to control the functioning of the blood arteries. Also, the available vitamin A and E in the bilberry fruit helps in regulating the blood circulation for the heart. The anti-bacterial properties of bilberries also ensure that it reduces the growth of damaged cell tissues that may cause heart diseases.
How To Consume:
- You can get the needed bilberry vitamin by consuming a glass of bilberry juice or also by taking some bilberry pills as well.
- The regular consumption of this berry for about 4-5 weeks will certainly bring the best of benefits for heart health.
3. Effective for Treating Diarrhea:
The bilberry powder is also known to have its benefits for the various ailments of the stomach. It can cure stomach issues like diarrhoea, constipation, stomach aches, etc., quite efficiently with its high nutritional value. The available bilberry herbal supplement can also be taken in case of severe stomach issues. Thanks to the anti-inflammation properties along with the astringent strengths of the bilberries are just perfect to ensure effective treatment against diarrhoea.
How To Consume:
- Make use of bilberry extract along with lemon juice and get the needed benefits for dealing with the problem of diarrhoea.
- Make sure that you don’t skip your dosage of bilberry for getting the maximum benefit of these amazing berries.
4. Cure cancer:
Did you know bilberry also have the needed benefits against the problems of cancer? Yes, bilberry extract benefits can help the person to get effective treatment for the symptoms of cancer. These berries are rich in anthocyanins which have excellent properties to fight against cancer symptoms. Also, the bilberries also have their anti-cancer properties which combine together and ensure maximum relief in this health issue. The bilberry juice along with the varying types of bilberry supplements can be the best when treating with cancer symptoms.
How To Consume:
- With the continuous use of bilberry for 2-3 weeks will start showing positive results against cancer.
- Also, you should get consulted with your health expert before starting with bilberry use.
5. Control Diabetes:
Bilberry and diabetes are often seen as one in the European countries as they prefer using bilberries for naturally treating the problem of diabetes. They have been using the bilberry benefits for diabetes for quite a long time and have been totally satisfied with the results. This has encouraged the world to use this amazing berry for their diabetic needs as well. Bilberry contains the required nutrients that can control the insulin levels in the body along with balancing the blood sugar levels. It also stimulates insulin secretion that further helps in keeping diabetes in control.
How To Consume:
- You too can get the bilberry benefits for diabetes by consuming 2 glasses of bilberry juice every day.
6. Maintains Liver Health:
Bilberries also are considered suitable for maintaining liver health. The bilberry fruit benefits ensure that the liver functions in the desired condition and thus makes every possible effort with its nutrients to deliver the needed benefit. The presence of phytonutrient and anthocyanins along with the other nutrients of the berry combines together and ensures delivering the needed benefit to the proper functioning of the liver.
How To Consume:
- Mix some bilberry fruit extract with raspberry and blackberry extract and add some honey in that.
- Now, have this delicious meal every day for one time and gift your liver the health that it needs.
- Be consistent with the consumption of bilberry as it will enhance the chances to give the best benefits for maintaining liver health.
7. Prevent Kidney Failure:
Bilberries are also effective against kidney failures as well. Kidney diseases, usually happen when the body lacks the needed nutrients and antioxidants. Bilberry can easily fulfil this need of the body. With its high antioxidant levels and lipid-lowering effects, bilberries are known to give their best side for the effective functioning of the kidney. It also reduces the oxidative stress on the kidney functioning and thus ensures that it performs all its functions as per the need.
How To Consume:
- Take some time out and have a glass of bilberry juice in either the morning or in the evening and ensure the needed benefits for the proper functioning of the kidney along with proper ailment against the kidney failures.
8. Boost Blood Circulation:
Bilberry is a rich source of many vitamins, especially vitamin A, E, and C. These vitamins are the most needed to maintain the required blood amount and circulation for effective functioning. Vitamin A combines with phytonutrients and other antioxidants and stimulates the blood flow in the body. It also assures the proper and adequate blood flow throughout the body. The bilberry uses don’t end here. Apart from circulating the right amount of blood to the body tissues, this berry also ensures to enrich the blood with the various nutrients that it needs.
How To Consume:
- Include the bilberry fruit or bilberry juice in your diet regularly in either the evening or morning and witness the best benefits for the effective and smooth blood circulation in the body.
9. Treat Urinary Tract Infections:
With the right and perfect balance of antioxidants and vitamin C, the bilberries are quite popular to treat the urinary tract infections. Bilberries make sure that they reduce the root cause of the problem along with bringing instant relief to the problem. The bilberry nutrients combine with the active compounds of the body and thus deliver the instant and positive relief from the urinary tract infections.
How To Consume:
- To keep it natural, you can have bilberry leaf in the morning on empty stomach.
- Other than this, you can also try the bilberry tablets after consulting with your doctor and health expert.
- Not to forget the benefits of bilberry juice, when consumed in the morning, to the urinary tract infections.
10. Prevents Menstrual Problems:
Bilberries have been in use for medical purposes right from their inception. They are rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins and polyphenols which help the berries to be their best when dealing with any of the health issues. The bilberry fruit benefits also provide the needed relief in the various menstrual problems. It can reduce the menstrual cramps along with delivering the body with the right amount of nutrients that are needed during that time.
How To Consume:
- You can rely on bilberry tea benefits and on the bilberry capsules for meeting the required amount of nutrients during the menstrual time.
- Though you should be regular with the consumption of bilberry in the normal days, you shouldn’t miss the consumption of this berry, especially during your menstrual cycle.
11. Support Weight Loss:
Last but not the least of bilberry health benefits is its effectiveness for weight loss. The secret behind the success of weight loss using the bilberry benefits for weight loss lies in its nutritional value. To ensure success for bilberry weight loss plan, you can add some of the bilberries in your salad or you can have bilberry juice, twice a day, regularly. Being low with calories, sugar and fat, it is easy to get the bilberry nutrition without feeling heavy on the stomach.
How To Consume:
- Consuming bilberries is one of the safest choices to have when wanting to lose weight.
- It neither has any side effects for the weight loss needs nor it delays the result generation.
- Soon after you start consuming bilberries, you can witness the bilberry juice benefits for your weight loss needs.
Read: Goji Berry Benefits for Skin
Bilberry Benefits For Skin:
Other than the bilberry health benefits, the experts also prefer using bilberry for skin benefits. The bilberry benefits for skin is suitable for all skin type and for almost all the skin problems. No matter how old the skin problem is, bilberry fruit can bring in the needed benefit for that. Bilberry herb is found to have all the potential nutrients that can benefit the skin to make it healthier, young and refreshing.
Many people have been using the bilberry fruit benefits for getting rid of their skin problems and ailments in the best possible form. And to add to the benefits, the entire process of using this amazing berry for skin benefits is pretty simple. Here are some of the bilberry benefits for skin that you can easily get:
1. Prevent Acne:
The regular use of bilberry will certainly give you the best benefits against the problem of acne. Bilberry has an abundant amount of zinc, fibre, vitamin K and vitamin E which makes it possible to use and get the benefits of bilberry extract for the skin. Other than this, bilberry also contains vitamin A, C and vitamin B which enhance further protection against acne. The nutritional value of bilberry and its anti-inflammation properties makes it suitable to target most of the acne issues along with most of its symptoms.
How To Apply:
- Make the most of bilberry extract uses and mix it with some aloe vera and honey and apply this mask on the face.
- Leave the face mask for about 20 minutes and then wash it off with regular water.
- Repeating this face mask for 2-3 weeks will bring the needed positive result for acne.
2. Remove Blackheads:
Blackheads on your skin can lower down your confidence level and also can make your skin look old. If you have tried many products but still cannot get rid of the blackhead problem, then you should now try the bilberry nutrients. Bilberry has antioxidants that let your skin breath and also to prevent the formation of damaging cells. The vitamin C accompanied by anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial properties allows bilberry to eliminate the problem of blackheads right from the root.
How To Apply:
- Make a paste of bilberry juice along with sugar, coffee, essential oils, lemon juice, and aloe vera gel.
- Massage this mixture on the affected area for some time and then leave this mixture on your face.
- Remove after 20-25 minutes and see some significant difference in the blackheads problem.
3. Anti-ageing:
The antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties of the bilberry extract are responsible for delivering some effective results against the signs of ageing. The early signs of ageing occur when the skin doesn’t get much of the needed nutrients. The lack of nutrients also increases the number of free radicals in the body which further enhances the effects of ageing signs. Also, the phytochemicals in bilberry eliminate the early signs of ageing, soon after its use. You can make use of bilberry leaf tea for getting the bilberry leaf benefits for your skin.
How To Apply:
- Mix some bilberry extract along with lemon juice, egg white and rose water to make a face pack.
- Apply this pack and leave for 20-25 minutes before washing.
- This will help in removing the early signs of ageing to the maximum extent.
4. Protect The Skin Against Harmful UV Rays:
Sunlight is essential for the body as it provides it with the required amount of vitamin D. But the harmful UV rays are not at all important for the skin. Rather they bring many harmful effects on the skin which makes it look dull and tired. The bilberry uses and benefits would make the best combination in this case. The anti-bacterial properties of bilberry make sure that your skin only absorbs the essential nutrients and it prevents the formation of any harmful cell tissues that can harm the skin quality.
How To Apply:
- Mix some bilberry extract with lemon juice and curd and then apply this mixture on your skin.
- Leave for 20 minutes and then wash it off with normal water.
Bilberry Benefits For Hair:
The bilberry plant is known to have some amazing benefits that can transform your hair. If you have been struggling with dull hair and are looking for something that can not only manage the hair problems but also can strengthen your hair along with giving it the needed quality, then bilberry is the right choice for you.
Most of the hair experts have been suggesting the use of bilberry oil for curing some serious hair issues that tend to be difficult to handle otherwise. You too can try the amazing benefits from the bilberry oil and juice for the sufficient growth of the hair. Here are some of the hair benefits that the effective and continuous use of bilberry can deliver to you.
1. Good for Hair Growth:
Bilberry is quite efficient in enhancing hair growth. The nutrients of bilberry are used for reducing the problem of hair loss. The bilberry hair loss benefits eliminate the formation of damaged cells on the scalp and thus reduce the chances of hair and scalp damages. Further, the antioxidants available in bilberries ensure that hair growth is stable and consistent.
How To Apply:
- To get the bilberry powder benefits, mix some of the bilberry powder with amla juice, egg white, and almond oil and then apply on the scalp.
- Allow this hair mask on your scalp for 30-40 minutes and then wash off like regular.
- Repeating this process regularly will ensure the delivery of smooth, shiny and healthy hair which you have always wanted.
2. Treat Scalp Infections:
Thanks to the anti-inflammation properties of bilberries, they can be effectively used for treating skin problems. Along with this, the anti-bacterial and anti-infectious properties of bilberries also makes sure that the scalp gets enough protection from the possible infections like itchiness, redness, acne, etc. The vitamins available in bilberries, especially vitamin A ensures that the scalp gets enough and sustainable blood circulation so that it can effectively eliminate the possible infections.
How To Apply:
- There are some bilberry capsules that can be taken for treating the infected scalp.
- Also, you can try applying the hair mask which comprises almond oil, essential oil, lemon juice, curd, oat powder, and bilberry juice.
- Apply this hair mask on the scalp and ensure that all the troubling infections will get the needed benefits.
3. Reduces Dandruff:
Bilberry is also an effective solution against the problem of dandruff. Dandruff is often caused because of the presence of dead skin cells and dry skin on the scalp. Bilberry can bring effective results for both of them. The rich nutrients in bilberry along with the right amount of vitamins and minerals combine together to enhance the quality of the scalp as well as of the hair and thus reduce dandruff.
How To Apply:
- You can mix some of the bilberry extracts along with the essential oils, tea tree oil, and amla juice and then apply on the hair and also the hair roots.
- Leave the hair mask for about 30-40 minutes before washing off.
- The regular application of this hair mask will allow your hair and scalp to absorb the maximum nutrients, resulting in the hydrated and smooth scalp and hair along with reducing dandruff problem.
Read: Health Benefits of Strawberries
Bilberry Side Effects:
No matter how much benefits does bilberry deliver, there is always an association of bilberry health benefits and side effects. The possible side effects of bilberry are due to the over-eating of the bilberry fruit than the required amount. The bilberry side effects will reduce the positive results of this amazing fruit on your health and therefore, proper care should be taken with its appropriate amount.
Here are some of the possible bilberry side effects that you should keep in mind, before starting consuming the fruit. Have a look:
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Anaemia
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Fluctuations in The Blood Sugar Levels
The dried bilberry is one effective solution for almost all the essentials that the body needs. The ingredient has the trust of most of the experts as well who provide effective solutions for skin, health and hair problems. You can use bilberry extract for eyes, bilberry for hair loss, bilberry benefits for weight loss, bilberry diabetes solutions and also for bilberry pregnancy benefits.
Include this super-amazing berry in your diet to make the most of its benefits for your entire body. You will not need any other ingredient if you are using this one berry. Comment below all your questions, doubts and concerns relating to the bilberry and its users. We would get back to you with the best possible answers and details for your concerns.