Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium myrtillus—Two Species—One Used as a Functional Food

Abstract

Vaccinium uliginosum L. (commonly known as bog bilberry) and Vaccinium myrtillus L. (commonly known as bilberry) are species of the genus Vaccinium (family Ericaceae). The red–purple–blue coloration of blueberries is attributed largely to the anthocyanins found in bilberries. Anthocyanins, known for their potent biological activity as antioxidants, have a significant involvement in the prophylaxis of cancer or other diseases, including those of metabolic origin. Bilberry is the most important economically wild berry in Northern Europe, and it is also extensively used in juice and food production. A review of the latest literature was performed to assess the composition and biological activity of V. uliginosum and V. myrtillus. Clinical studies confirm the benefits of V. uliginosum and V. myrtillus supplementation as part of a healthy diet. Because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and apoptosis-reducing activity, both bog bilberries and bilberries can be used interchangeably as a dietary supplement with anti-free radical actions in the prevention of cancer diseases and cataracts, or as a component of sunscreen preparations.

Protective Mechanisms of Polyphenol-Enriched Blueberry Preparation in Preventing Inflammation in the Skin against UVB-Induced Damage in an Animal Model

“…Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), known for their rich content of hydrophilic phenolic compounds and flavonoids, have been identified as effective UV absorbers and are commercially utilized in sunscreen products [61,62]. Bilberries exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-DNA-damaging effects.…”

A Review with a Focus on Vaccinium-Berries-Derived Bioactive Compounds for the Treatment of Reproductive Cancers

“…(blueberry, cranberry, bilberry, and lingonberry) are ACNs (cyanidin, peonidin, petunidin, delphinidin, malvidin), PACs, flavonols (quercetin; Qu, kaempferol; Km, myricetin; Myr), flavanols (epicatechin), phenolic acids (gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid), and ursolic acid. Each bioactive compound has a unique chemical structure [16] that may exert anticancer effects on RC cells. The phytochemical composition of these bioactives is presented in Figure 1.…”

“…The genus Vaccinium, which belongs to the family Ericaceae, comprises a large group of berry crop species that are widely distributed in North and Central America, Africa, Asia, and Europe [15]. The most popular species in this genus are cranberries (V. macrocarpon L./oxycoccos L.), bilberries (V. myrtillus L.), bog bilberries (V. uliginosum L.), lingonberries (V. vitis-idaea L.), and blueberries (V. corymbosum L./angustifolium L.) [15,16]. The profile of Vaccinium berries is rich in phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins (ACNs), proanthocyanidins (PACs), and flavonols [17].…”

Experimental Studies on the Therapeutic Potential of Vaccinium Berries in Breast Cancer—A Review

“…The types and levels of natural flavonoids vary in Vaccinium berries depending on their species, latitude, geographical origin, cultivation conditions, and ripeness stage [ 21 ]. The main bioactive compounds identified in Vaccinium berries were flavonols (quercetin, isoquercitrin, rutin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, syringetin), flavanols (catechin, epicathechin, epigallocatechin, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins), chalcones, phenolic acids, and stilbene-based derivatives (e.g., piceatannol, resveratrol, pterostilbene) [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”