Effects of Bilberry Supplementation on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of interrelated conditions that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Oxidative stress may impair normal physiological functions, leading to various illnesses. T2DM is considered to be associated with increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia, which may play a significant role in the development of cardiovascular complications, cancer and vision loss through cataracts and retinopathy. While conventional therapies are a cornerstone for the management of the major risk factors of metabolic syndrome, increasing antioxidant defense by increasing intake of antioxidant-rich foods may improve long term prospects in CVD, obesity and T2DM. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins which give berries their red/purple/blue coloration. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants and are reported to play an important role in the prevention of metabolic disease and CVD as well as cancer and other conditions. This review focuses on the potential effects of bilberry supplementation on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Although there is evidence to support the use of bilberry supplementation as part of a healthy diet, the potential benefits from the use of bilberry supplementation in patients with T2DM or CVD needs to be clarified in large clinical trials.

Extracts of Digested Berries Increase the Survival of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during H2O2 Induced Oxidative Stress

“…To address whether the observed protection was a chemical neutralization of the H 2 O 2 effect outside the cells, or if the berry compounds induced a biological response inside the yeast cells leading to a phenotype with enhanced stress resistance, two more experiments were performed: (1) cultivation of yeasts in the presence of digested extract followed by removal of the extract before the stress assay and (2) cultivation of yeasts without extract followed by addition of the digested extract before the stress assay. For these experiments, bilberry was selected, since prior work suggested that bilberry anthocyanins may reduce oxidative damage as well as inflammation in humans [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Results showed that the cells grown in yeast medium plus digested extract displayed a significantly higher stress resistance ( Figure 5 A) compared to the control.…”

Efficacy of Bilberry and Grape Seed Extract Supplement Interventions to Improve Glucose and Cholesterol Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Different Populations—A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Previous reviews and meta-analyses have compared studies without accounting for differences in intervention formulations, which emerge when working with, for example, fresh berries, berry juices, dealcoholized wine and extracts [ 10 , 13 , 14 ]. Differences in intervention formulations would be expected to affect the bioavailability of polyphenols, similar to the way in which food matrices affect bioavailability, uptake and metabolism [ 6 ].…”

“…Higher dietary intakes of anthocyanins and catechins have been associated with a significantly lower risk of T2DM in 60,586 women over a 20-year observation period [ 9 ]. Bilberries are one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins [ 10 , 11 ], whereas grape seeds contain the highest levels of total procyanidins and procyanidin dimers in fruits and vegetables [ 12 ]. However, previous studies evaluating the anti-diabetic and cholesterol-lowering effects of bilberry and grape seed extracts in humans have been inconclusive, mainly due to a large variability in outcomes within and between study populations.…”

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Extracts Comparative Analysis Regarding Their Phytonutrient Profiles, Antioxidant Capacity along with the In Vivo Rescue Effects Tested on a Drosophila melanogaster High-Sugar Diet Model

“…Bilberries have been observed to hold a plentitude of health-promoting properties. Research studies support their beneficial effects, among which antioxidant, anti-obesity, anticarcinogenic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, and vision improvement [12][13][14].…”