Bilberry extract may be able to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Nutrition.
Until recently, most of the research conducted on bilberry has focused on its ability to help improve vision related issues like macular degeneration and night blindness.
From the topic bilberry at vchoice.com
Bilberry has been used for centuries, both medicinally and as a food in jams and pies. It is related to the blueberry and is native to Northern Europe. Bilberry fruit contains chemicals known as anthocyanosides, plant pigments that have excellent antioxidant properties. They scavenge damaging particles in the body known as free radicals, helping to prevent or reverse damage to cells. Antioxidants have been shown to help prevent a number of long-term illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and an eye disorder called macular degeneration. Bilberry also contains vitamin C, which is another antioxidant.
In this latest study, Japanese researchers used mice genetically predisposed to develop diabetes. The mice were fed either a diet containing bilberry extract or their normal diet for five weeks. At the end of the study the researchers found that bilberry extract lowered blood glucose and increased insulin sensitivity in the mice.
While this study is far from being scientific proof that bilberry could do the same in humans, the researches note the same effect could likely occur in humans and recommended that clinical studies be conducted to test the effects of bilberry on human health.
Given its safety record and documented health benefits, I think adding a bilberry supplement to a healthy blood sugar regimen may be worth a try. I suppose the worst case scenario is that you prevent macular degeneration!
