“They make a fine purple colour by treating bilberry in the same way and mixing it with milk.”

– Vitruvius, 1st century BC Roman writer, architect and engineer. Chapter XIV, Sec. 2 (Book VII)

Overview

Bilberry leaves have been used for centuries to support healthy blood glucose levels in people with elevated blood sugar. Native to northern Europe, the bilberry shrub (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins, according to the reference Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. These polyphenolic components give bilberry its blue/black color and high antioxidant content and are believed to be responsible for the many reported health benefits of bilberries.

What are the known benefits?

Bilberry has been show in studies with humans, dogs and other lab animals to lower post-prandial blood glucose.

Any other potential benefits?

Bilberry also is said to improve vision, to confer anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering benefits, and to promote antioxidant defense and lower oxidative stress. Therefore, bilberry may help in the treatment or prevention of conditions associated with inflammation, dyslipidemia, increased oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, diabetes, and dementia and other age-related diseases. There are also reports that bilberry has antimicrobial activity.

Any reports debunking these benefits?

In a post from 2014, this blogger says there is no proof that bilberry lowers blood sugar. Read the links below, and decide for yourself.

What is the scientific mechanism at play?

While the exact mechanism is unknown, it is believed that phytochemicals in bilberry may lower fat absorption by inhibiting digestive enzymes such as lipase, or it may interfere with alpha-glucosidase activity. Alpha-glucosidase is an enzyme in the small intestine that breaks down starch and disaccharides into glucose.

Conclusion

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References

Click on this link for a very good overview of bilberry:

This book was published in 2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92770/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4153034/