Bil7.0

Bilberry

botanical

Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Anthocyanin-dense berry that protects retinal cells, reduces eye fatigue, and improves microcirculation throughout the body.

bodyeye healthvisionanthocyaninscirculation

37+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

high

Safety

160-480mg standardized extract (25% anthocyanins)

Dose

4-12 weeks

Time to Effect

Standardized extract (25% anthocyanins or 36% anthocyanidins)

Best Form

Bilberry is a European relative of blueberry, exceptionally rich in anthocyanins that support eye health and circulation. Used by WWII pilots for night vision, modern research confirms benefits for visual acuity, eye fatigue, and retinal health. Also supports microcirculation and has antioxidant properties throughout the body.

Mechanisms of Action

👁️

Rhodopsin Support

Supports light-sensitive pigment regeneration

🔄

Microcirculation

Improves blood flow to small vessels

Biological PathwayBeta

How Bilberry works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Recommended Dose

160-480mg standardized extract (25% anthocyanins)

80mg480mg

Optimal Timing

With meals

Take with food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Standardized extract (25% anthocyanins or 36% anthocyanidins)	Recommended
💊Dried berries	Alternative
💊Fresh/frozen bilberries	Alternative

European bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has higher anthocyanin content than American blueberry.

Duration

Minimum: 4 weeks

Optimal: 12 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Can be taken any time with food.

👁️

Reduced Eye Fatigue

Less eye strain from screens

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

60% of users notice thispositive

🌙

Night Vision Support

Improved dark adaptation

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

50% of users notice thispositive

High SafetyMax safe dose: Up to 480mg/day used in studies

🟢

Pregnant/nursing

Food amounts safe; limited data on extracts

Who Should NOT Take This

Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Bilberry or related compounds

Drug Interactions

Blood thinnersmild

Theoretical antiplatelet effects at high doses — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy

Diabetes medicationsmild

May have mild blood sugar effects

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

mildrare

Tip: Take with food

Warnings

May increase bleeding risk — discontinue 2 weeks before surgery
May lower blood sugar — monitor if diabetic or on hypoglycemic medication
Not a substitute for proper eye care and regular eye exams

⟡ Lutein + Zeaxanthin

complementary

Different eye-protective mechanisms

Comprehensive eye health support

Top studies from 37+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=409

DOI

Talebi S et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025)

“Therefore, long-term and high-quality trials are needed to confirm the promising effects of bilberries.”

Key Findings:

Mean changes and their SDs were used to calculate overall effect sizes, with the Hozo et al. method converting SEs, 95% CIs, and IQRs to SDs.
Combining five effect sizes from the five trials on long-term effects of bilberry administration compared with controls resulted in a non-significant decrease in FBG (WMD: -0.08 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.22 to 0.07, p = 0.30).
For HbA1c, the meta-analysis of three RCTs showed a marginally significant reduction (WMD: -1.63%, 95% CI: -3.36% to 0.11%, p = 0.06).
The results of the meta-analysis on lipid profile showed a decreasing trend, although this reduction was not statistically significant for TC (WMD: -0.11 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.30% to 0.08%, p = 0.27) or TG (WMD: -0.07 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.32% to 0.19%, p = 0.62).

📚systematic-reviewn=20

DOI

Grohmann T et al. • Nutrients (2021)

“In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.”

Key Findings:

Intervention with grape seed extract may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects with hypertension or metabolic syndrome.
Differential responsiveness in cholesterol and blood pressure outcomes between stratified populations could not be explained by age, dose or study duration.
In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.

📊rctn=109

DOI

Kosehira M et al. • Nutrients (2020)

“This study shows that oral consumption of 240 mg SBE extract for 12 weeks relieves the tonic accommodation of the ciliary muscle caused by VDT tasks and near-vision tasks.”

Key Findings:

Results showed that post-load HFC-1 values at weeks 8 and 12 were significantly improved in the SBE group than in the placebo group (p = 0.014 and 0.017, respectively).
Regarding the difference between before and after the task load (ΔHFC-1), the values were significantly better in the SBE group than in the placebo group at week 4 and 12 (p = 0.018 and 0.049, respectively).
Tests were performed before and after VDT tasks at week 0, 4, 8, and 12; high-frequency component (HFC)-1 value was the evaluation outcome.
This study shows that oral consumption of 240 mg SBE extract for 12 weeks relieves the tonic accommodation of the ciliary muscle caused by VDT tasks and near-vision tasks.

📊rctn=66

DOI

Nobile V et al. • Nutrients (2024)

“Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of FBE in improving skin aging and complexion evenness.”

Key Findings:

At D84, the wrinkle depth had decreased by 10.6%, Ra had improved by 7.9%, Rz had decreased by 7.3%, R0 had improved by 13.3%, R2 had improved by 12.4%, and skin antioxidant capacity had increased by 20.8%.
ITA° increased by 20.8% and was accompanied by a decrease in the skin's redness component by 16.8% and an increase in the lightness component by 2.2%.
The variation of all the above-mentioned parameters was statistically significant between the FBE and PL groups.

📊rctn=23

DOI

Szumny D et al. • Nutrients (2024)

“Preliminary studies show an improvement in near visual acuity and conjunctival hydration on the Schirmer test, but this needs to be confirmed in further studies.”

Key Findings:

Only in the next cycle of the study was an improvement in near visual acuity observed in 92.3% of the patients.
On the other hand, an improvement in conjunctival wetting was observed in the Schirmer test at the beginning of week 6 of administration in 80% of patients.
This effect was weakened in subsequent weeks of conducting the experiment to 61.5%.

View all 37+ studies

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Bil7.0

Bilberry

botanical

Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)

Anthocyanin-dense berry that protects retinal cells, reduces eye fatigue, and improves microcirculation throughout the body.

bodyeye healthvisionanthocyaninscirculation

37+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

high

Safety

160-480mg standardized extract (25% anthocyanins)

Dose

4-12 weeks

Time to Effect

Standardized extract (25% anthocyanins or 36% anthocyanidins)

Best Form

Mechanisms of Action

👁️

Rhodopsin Support

Supports light-sensitive pigment regeneration

🔄

Microcirculation

Improves blood flow to small vessels

Biological PathwayBeta

How Bilberry works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Supplement

Molecular Target

Biological Process

Health Outcome

Strong

Moderate

Emerging

strong

moderate

emerging

Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research

Recommended Dose

160-480mg standardized extract (25% anthocyanins)

80mg480mg

Optimal Timing

With meals

Take with food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Standardized extract (25% anthocyanins or 36% anthocyanidins)	Recommended
💊Dried berries	Alternative
💊Fresh/frozen bilberries	Alternative

European bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has higher anthocyanin content than American blueberry.

Duration

Minimum: 4 weeks

Optimal: 12 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Can be taken any time with food.

👁️

Reduced Eye Fatigue

Less eye strain from screens

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

60% of users notice thispositive

🌙

Night Vision Support

Improved dark adaptation

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

50% of users notice thispositive

High SafetyMax safe dose: Up to 480mg/day used in studies

🟢

Pregnant/nursing

Food amounts safe; limited data on extracts

Who Should NOT Take This

Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Bilberry or related compounds

Drug Interactions

Blood thinnersmild

Theoretical antiplatelet effects at high doses — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy

Diabetes medicationsmild

May have mild blood sugar effects

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

mildrare

Tip: Take with food

Warnings

May increase bleeding risk — discontinue 2 weeks before surgery
May lower blood sugar — monitor if diabetic or on hypoglycemic medication
Not a substitute for proper eye care and regular eye exams

⟡ Lutein + Zeaxanthin

complementary

Different eye-protective mechanisms

Comprehensive eye health support

Top studies from 37+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=409

DOI

Talebi S et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025)

“Therefore, long-term and high-quality trials are needed to confirm the promising effects of bilberries.”

Key Findings:

Mean changes and their SDs were used to calculate overall effect sizes, with the Hozo et al. method converting SEs, 95% CIs, and IQRs to SDs.
Combining five effect sizes from the five trials on long-term effects of bilberry administration compared with controls resulted in a non-significant decrease in FBG (WMD: -0.08 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.22 to 0.07, p = 0.30).
For HbA1c, the meta-analysis of three RCTs showed a marginally significant reduction (WMD: -1.63%, 95% CI: -3.36% to 0.11%, p = 0.06).
The results of the meta-analysis on lipid profile showed a decreasing trend, although this reduction was not statistically significant for TC (WMD: -0.11 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.30% to 0.08%, p = 0.27) or TG (WMD: -0.07 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.32% to 0.19%, p = 0.62).

📚systematic-reviewn=20

DOI

Grohmann T et al. • Nutrients (2021)

“In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.”

Key Findings:

Intervention with grape seed extract may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects with hypertension or metabolic syndrome.
Differential responsiveness in cholesterol and blood pressure outcomes between stratified populations could not be explained by age, dose or study duration.
In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.

📊rctn=109

DOI

Kosehira M et al. • Nutrients (2020)

“This study shows that oral consumption of 240 mg SBE extract for 12 weeks relieves the tonic accommodation of the ciliary muscle caused by VDT tasks and near-vision tasks.”

Key Findings:

Results showed that post-load HFC-1 values at weeks 8 and 12 were significantly improved in the SBE group than in the placebo group (p = 0.014 and 0.017, respectively).
Regarding the difference between before and after the task load (ΔHFC-1), the values were significantly better in the SBE group than in the placebo group at week 4 and 12 (p = 0.018 and 0.049, respectively).
Tests were performed before and after VDT tasks at week 0, 4, 8, and 12; high-frequency component (HFC)-1 value was the evaluation outcome.
This study shows that oral consumption of 240 mg SBE extract for 12 weeks relieves the tonic accommodation of the ciliary muscle caused by VDT tasks and near-vision tasks.

📊rctn=66

DOI

Nobile V et al. • Nutrients (2024)

“Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of FBE in improving skin aging and complexion evenness.”

Key Findings:

At D84, the wrinkle depth had decreased by 10.6%, Ra had improved by 7.9%, Rz had decreased by 7.3%, R0 had improved by 13.3%, R2 had improved by 12.4%, and skin antioxidant capacity had increased by 20.8%.
ITA° increased by 20.8% and was accompanied by a decrease in the skin's redness component by 16.8% and an increase in the lightness component by 2.2%.
The variation of all the above-mentioned parameters was statistically significant between the FBE and PL groups.

📊rctn=23

DOI

Szumny D et al. • Nutrients (2024)

“Preliminary studies show an improvement in near visual acuity and conjunctival hydration on the Schirmer test, but this needs to be confirmed in further studies.”

Key Findings:

Only in the next cycle of the study was an improvement in near visual acuity observed in 92.3% of the patients.
On the other hand, an improvement in conjunctival wetting was observed in the Schirmer test at the beginning of week 6 of administration in 80% of patients.
This effect was weakened in subsequent weeks of conducting the experiment to 61.5%.

View all 37+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Related Supplements

Gse7.5

Grape Seed Extract

7.5/10

Rich source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) that support circulation, skin health, and antioxidant defense.

Age9.0

Aged Garlic Extract

9/10

Odorless garlic extract with strong evidence for cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and immune support.

Cur9.0

Curcumin

9/10

Turmeric's active compound that modulates NF-kB inflammatory pathways — supports mood, joint health, and post-exercise recovery.

Gte9.0

Green Tea Extract

9/10

Concentrated catechins from green tea that support metabolism, fat oxidation, brain health, and antioxidant defense.