Evidence supporting the use of: Bilberry
For the health condition: Cataracts

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) has a long-standing reputation in traditional and herbal medicine for supporting eye health, including use for cataracts. Historically, bilberry was used in Europe for a variety of eye conditions, particularly following anecdotal reports during World War II that Royal Air Force pilots improved their night vision after consuming bilberry jam. This led to a popular belief that bilberry could benefit various eye disorders, including cataracts. The key compounds in bilberry are anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid with antioxidant properties, which are thought to help protect the eye’s lens from oxidative stress—a factor involved in cataract formation.

However, the evidence supporting bilberry's role in cataract prevention or treatment is limited and largely anecdotal. There are a few laboratory and animal studies suggesting that anthocyanins may reduce oxidative damage in eye tissues, but well-designed human clinical trials demonstrating significant benefit for cataract prevention or reversal are lacking. Most published research on bilberry focuses on its effects on night vision or diabetic retinopathy rather than cataracts specifically. Thus, while bilberry is traditionally used to support cataract health, there is insufficient scientific validation for its effectiveness in this context.

In summary, bilberry’s use for cataracts is based mainly on traditional beliefs and its general antioxidant properties, but current scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for cataracts is weak (evidence rating: 1/5).

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