Bilberries, native to Europe, often get confused with blueberries, which are native to North America. Often times the name bilberry gets directly translated to “blueberry” in several European languages, this can cause confusion as there are distinct differences between bilberries and the commonly known blueberry in American English.
This image below illustrates the difference between bilberries and blueberries.
Bilberry (Red Flesh) vs. Blueberry (Greenish Pulp)
Differences in growth between Bilberries and Blueberries: While blueberries are cultivated in bushes, various places around the world, wild bilberries grow on small shrubs mainly in the northern parts of Europe.
Health Differences: Bilberries include both higher vitamin C and vitamin E content than cultivated blueberries. Bilberries also contain a very high content of anthocyanin, much higher than that of a blueberry. Anthocyanins are a form of flavinoids which have been scientifically proven to be linked to positive health benefits.
Health Benefits of Consuming Bilberry (1, 2, 3):
– Fights free radicals
– Reduce risk of cancer
– Slows aging process
– Benefits ocular health/vision
– Fights neurological diseases, reduces risk of Alzheimer’s.
– Reduces inflammation.
– Helps to prevent and treat diabetes.
– Fights bacterial infections.
– Helps with fibrocystic disease.
Learn more about Bilberries by viewing this quick 2 minute video below!
Check back next week to learn more about this month’s Super Antioxidant, Bilberry Extract!