Bilberry Complex
What Are The Real Benefits Of Bilberry Complex?
Bilberry complex is a supplement containing the bilberry fruit and one or more other ingredients. The other ingredients are usually beneficial to one's health, as is the bilberry. The exact makeup of a bilberry complex supplement may vary from product to product, but the bilberry, or bilberry extract, is always a major ingredient. A bilberry complex capsule normally contains two or three ingredients designed to provide some benefits, plus gelatin as a binder.
The Bilberry - To understand what the benefits of bilberry complex might be, it's best to know a little about the fruit itself. The bilberry is native to several northern European countries. It is closely related to the blueberry and to the huckleberry, and is sometimes called the European blueberry. Both the blueberry and huckleberry are well known as being powerful antioxidants, and bringing to the table a number of other benefits as well. The bilberry is very similar in terms of health benefits, as well as being a very nutritious (and tasty) fruit.
Unlike the blueberry, and somewhat like the huckleberry, the bilberry is not easily cultivated, so as a source of supplements such as bilberry complex, the berry is usually picked in the wild.
Separating Fact From Promotion - In choosing a supplement, one is often confronted with a number of claims of benefit, some true and some either exaggerated or patently false. Bilberry complex is no different in this respect. The bilberry is known to be beneficial to one's eyesight, but these benefits have often been exaggerated to the point where false claims have been made to the effect that rather serious eye disorders can be cured. The bilberry, and its supplements have been marketed as products that will prevent or cure heart disease and cancer, along with a host of other diseases or disorders
The fact is, the bilberry is an extremely beneficial fruit, and medical and scientific research as borne this out. A far as supplements are concerned, we are faced with a mix of truths and exaggerations. Bilberry complex may provide some benefits, and does not appear to have any negative side effects. It may boil down to how much money you want to put out for a supplement that may be of significant help or may not, but will likely not be harmful. The market for supplements is a large one, and some supplements provide benefits, and at times are even necessary for one's well being. As a minimum, the ingredients of any supplement should be known before beginning to take it, and a little up front research on the pluses and minuses will never hurt either.
There Are Benefits - The bilberry (and bilberry complex) is an antioxidant and also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is good for the eyes and is believed to prevent or slow the process of macular degeneration. It should not be considered a cure for macular degeneration however. The bilberry does appear to have beneficial effects with respect to night blindness, although there have been some exaggerated claims in that area. Bilberry complex does help to improve circulation, at least circulation in smaller blood vessels and capillaries. Whether this can be extended to general cardiovascular health is not all that well known. It appears to be a case of "maybe". There have been studies indicating that the bilberry, and its supplements can play a useful role in reducing high blood pressure as well as helping keep blood sugar levels within range. The bilberry and bilberry complex do not fall into the category of a wonder drug or a miracle drug, and should not be looked upon as such. But there is little doubt as to the fact that the bilberry, bilberry supplements, and bilberry complex can be beneficial to some.