Ingredient sheet: Blueberry

What is a blueberry?

The bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L. ) is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins; it belongs to the cranberry group.

Its polyphenolic components give the blueberry its blue/black color and high antioxidant content.

Blueberry is traditionally used to improve vision , particularly night vision.

It has been reported to have hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects.

What are the biological properties of the blueberry?

The dark blue pigment in blueberries and bilberries belongs to the anthocyanin family. It is primarily believed to be involved in the fruit's biological effects.

Blueberries contain a variety of phenolic compounds , including flavonols (quercetin, catechins), tannins, ellagitannins, and phenolic acids, but anthocyanins make by far the largest contribution to their phytochemical mix.

These natural phenolic compounds are antioxidants as well as iron chelators and are found in red, blue and purple flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Blueberries also contain flavonoid derivatives, flavonols, including quercetin. The antidiarrheal effect of blueberries is thought to be due to the berry's tannin content.

What are the health claims of blueberries?

Blueberries have traditionally been used to improve night vision and to reduce vascular permeability and capillary fragility in the eyeball. The berry is reputed to possess various other health benefits, although most interest has focused on its antioxidant effect due to anthocyanins.
Numerous health claims have been submitted to the EFSA and are awaiting review. Pending their validation, these claims can be used at the manufacturers' discretion.

These include:

• "Blueberries are rich in antioxidant anthocyanins."
• "Blueberries help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals."
• "Blueberry is used to promote good blood circulation in the micro-vessels."
• "Anthocyanins contribute to maintaining normal retinal function"
• "Blueberry supports retinal function and circulation in the eye. Maintains visual health."

What are the side effects and contraindications of blueberry?

Blueberries are not toxic. However, excessive consumption can cause several unpleasant side effects such as hypoglycemia and intestinal problems.

Contraindications

Avoid consumption without medical advice from:

• people taking anticoagulants
• people with diabetes or blood sugar disorders

And what about Phytocea?

At the house of Phytocea , for its protective effects and its supply of antioxidant anthocyanins , we chose to incorporate blueberry into the ORetine formula.

ORetine is a vision food supplement intended, among other things, to maintain normal vision and prevent pathologies such as AMD or cataracts.

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In the search

Numerous studies have shown positive effects, including improvement in retinal abnormalities, increased capillary resistance, slowing of the progression of lens opacity, and better adaptation to darkness.

A study involving 50 patients with mild senile cataracts showed that 4 months of supplementation with blueberry anthocyanins and vitamin E had a 97% success rate in preventing cataract progression.

Blueberry (thanks to its polyphenols and anthocyanins) has protective effects and improves night vision.

1. Bravetti, GO et al. “Preventive medical treatment of senile cataract with vitamin e and vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides clinical evaluation.” Annali di ottalmologia e clinica oculistica 115 (1989): 109-116.
2. Chu WK, Cheung SCM, Lau RAW, Benzie IFF. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 4.
3. Kalt W, McDonald JE, Fillmore SA, Tremblay F. Blueberry effects on dark vision and recovery after photobleaching: placebo-controlled crossover studies. J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Nov 19;62(46):11180-9. doi:10.1021/jf503689c.
4. Liu Y, Zhang D, Hu J, Liu G, Chen J, Sun L, Jiang Z, Zhang X, Chen Q, Ji B. Visible Light-Induced Lipid Peroxidation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids in the Retina and the Inhibitory Effects of Blueberry Polyphenols. J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Oct 28;63(42):9295-305. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b04341.