What Is Bilberry? Anthocyanins, Bilberry vs Blueberry & Benefits for a Healthy Lifestyle

When you hear the word “bilberry,” you may immediately associate this small berry with eye health.

Although bilberries look very similar to blueberries, there is another fascinating feature that makes them stand out.

It is their beautiful deep blue-purple colour.

Behind this rich colour are anthocyanins, a group of naturally occurring plant pigments belonging to the polyphenol family.

Anthocyanins are found in berries, purple vegetables and many other colourful plant foods, and they have been widely studied for their antioxidant properties.

For this reason, interest in bilberries extends beyond their familiar association with eye health. They are also appreciated by people interested in plant-based nutrients and maintaining a balanced approach to everyday beauty and wellbeing.

Of course, nutrition is rarely as simple as saying that anthocyanins will make your skin beautiful or that eating bilberries will improve your eyesight.

When it comes to beauty and wellbeing, it is helpful to look at the bigger picture: a varied diet, quality sleep, regular physical activity, sun protection and other everyday lifestyle habits all play a part.

In this guide, we explore what bilberries are, how they differ from blueberries, what anthocyanins are, what “antioxidant” actually means, and how bilberries can fit naturally into a beauty- and health-conscious lifestyle.

What Is Bilberry? A Small Berry Native to Europe

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) belongs to the Ericaceae family and the Vaccinium genus, making it a close relative of the blueberry.

Bilberries grow naturally across many parts of Europe, particularly in forests, woodlands and mountainous areas.

The berries are small and develop a deep blue-purple colour as they ripen.

At first glance they can look remarkably similar to blueberries, but there are some interesting differences between the two.

Are Bilberries and Blueberries the Same?

Bilberries and blueberries are closely related, but they are not the same fruit.

Many cultivated blueberries commonly found in supermarkets have blue-purple skin while the flesh inside remains pale green or whitish.

Bilberries, on the other hand, are notable for having deep red-purple to purple flesh as well as dark-coloured skin.

If you have ever crushed a fresh bilberry, you may have noticed just how easily its intense pigment can stain your fingers—or even your tongue—purple.

Anthocyanins play an important role in creating this distinctive colour.

Wild-Growing Bilberries

While many commercial blueberries are grown on cultivated farms, bilberries are well known for growing wild in European forests and other natural environments.

In some regions, the berries are gathered during summer and enjoyed fresh or used to make jams, juices and desserts.

Their tiny size, rich purple colour and characteristic balance of sweetness and tartness give bilberries their distinctive appeal.

Although many people today first encounter bilberry as an ingredient in supplements, it is worth remembering that it is first and foremost a real fruit that has long been enjoyed as part of European food traditions.

The Secret Behind Bilberry’s Purple Colour: What Are Anthocyanins?

One of the most interesting features of bilberry is its anthocyanin content.

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant pigments belonging to a wider family of compounds known as polyphenols.

They are found in many red, purple and blue plant foods, including blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, purple cabbage and purple sweet potatoes.

For plants, these pigments are much more than attractive colours. They have various functions related to the plant’s interaction with light and its surrounding environment.

For us, enjoying a colourful variety of plant foods is also a simple way to include a broad range of naturally occurring plant compounds in the diet.

Bilberries Contain Different Types of Anthocyanins

The word “anthocyanin” can make it sound as though it refers to one individual substance.

In fact, anthocyanins are a group of related compounds, and bilberries contain a variety of different anthocyanins.

Together, these pigments contribute to the fruit’s characteristic deep blue-purple colour.

And that is part of what makes bilberries so interesting. Their appeal is not simply about having a particular “health ingredient.”

The beautiful colour of the tiny berry itself reflects the fascinating variety of naturally occurring compounds found in plants.

What Does “Antioxidant” Actually Mean?

The word “antioxidant” appears frequently in discussions about nutrition, beauty and healthy living.

As part of normal metabolism, our bodies produce reactive molecules known as free radicals and other reactive oxygen species.

These substances are not inherently “bad”; they also have normal physiological roles in the body.

However, when the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the body’s protective mechanisms is disrupted, this is commonly referred to as oxidative stress.

The human body has its own antioxidant defence systems, while nutrients and naturally occurring compounds obtained through food are also widely studied in relation to oxidative processes.

Anthocyanins and Antioxidant Research

Anthocyanins have been widely studied as polyphenols with antioxidant properties.

It is important, however, to distinguish between the antioxidant properties observed for a food compound and specific beauty or health outcomes in people.

Once food is consumed, its components undergo digestion, absorption and metabolism within the body.

For this reason, properties observed in laboratory research cannot automatically be translated into claims that a particular food will prevent disease or produce a specific cosmetic result.

Rather than focusing on one individual compound, a more balanced approach is to enjoy berries, vegetables, fruits and other plant foods as part of a varied everyday diet.

Different colours, different flavours and a more varied plate.

With their striking deep purple colour, bilberries are a wonderful example of just how interesting the world of plant foods can be.

Why Is Bilberry So Often Associated with Eye Health?

Many people first come across bilberry as an ingredient in products related to eye health.

In fact, bilberries and their anthocyanins have been studied for many years in relation to various aspects of visual function.

And whenever the connection between bilberries and eyesight is discussed, one particularly famous story tends to appear.

The Famous Story of RAF Pilots and Bilberry Jam

According to a widely repeated story, British Royal Air Force pilots ate bilberry jam during the Second World War and found that it improved their night vision.

If you have ever looked into the history of bilberry, you may already have come across some version of this fascinating tale.

It certainly makes a memorable story. However, today it is generally treated with caution rather than accepted as established scientific evidence.

Bilberries, anthocyanins and visual function have subsequently been investigated in a variety of studies, but the findings have not been consistent enough to conclude that consuming bilberry clearly improves night vision in healthy people.

Rather than thinking of bilberry simply as a fruit “for the eyes,” it can be more interesting to explore it as a distinctive berry containing a variety of naturally occurring plant compounds.

Its deep blue-purple fruit, naturally occurring anthocyanins and long history as part of European food traditions all contribute to the story of this remarkable little berry.

Once you know a little more about its background, bilberry becomes much more than just another familiar name on a supplement label.

Is Bilberry Good for Beauty? A Balanced Approach to Beauty from Within

At this point, you may be wondering: what about bilberry and beauty?

When we think about beauty, skincare products such as lotions, serums and creams often come to mind first.

Daily skincare certainly has its place, but a beauty-conscious lifestyle can also include the food we eat, quality sleep, regular physical activity, sun protection and other everyday habits.

When it comes to nutrition, the foundation is not one particular “beauty ingredient,” but a varied diet containing vegetables, fruits, legumes, grains, fish, meat and other foods.

Within that bigger picture, colourful berries such as bilberries can be one enjoyable way to add variety to a diet designed with everyday beauty and wellbeing in mind.

Antioxidants and Beauty

In beauty and wellness discussions, the word “antioxidant” is often mentioned alongside concepts such as healthy-looking skin and ageing well.

Polyphenols such as anthocyanins have antioxidant properties and continue to be the subject of scientific research.

At the same time, the antioxidant properties of a food compound and specific cosmetic effects on human skin are not the same thing and should be considered separately.

This is why it makes sense to enjoy bilberries as part of a varied diet rich in different plant foods rather than expecting one particular berry to do everything.

Bring More Colour to a Beauty-Conscious Diet

Take a look at the plant foods on your plate and you will find an extraordinary range of natural colours.

• Blue-purple bilberries and blueberries
• Red tomatoes and red capsicums
• Orange carrots and pumpkin
• Green spinach and broccoli
• Purple cabbage and purple sweet potatoes

These colours come from a variety of naturally occurring pigments found in plants.

Adding vegetables and fruits of different colours to everyday meals can also be a simple way to bring greater variety to the foods you enjoy.

With their intense blue-purple colour, bilberries fit beautifully into this colourful world of plant foods.

Enjoying their striking colour and distinctive berry character can be another lovely way to bring variety into a beauty- and health-conscious lifestyle.

How Are Bilberries Traditionally Enjoyed?

In Japan, bilberry is perhaps best known as an ingredient in dietary supplements, but in parts of Europe the fruit itself has long been enjoyed as food.

Freshly gathered bilberries may be eaten on their own or used in a wide variety of foods, including:

• Jams
• Juices
• Sauces
• Yoghurt and desserts
• Cakes, pies and other baked treats

Their characteristic balance of sweetness and tartness, together with their vivid colour, makes them an attractive ingredient in both everyday foods and desserts.

Fresh Bilberries Are Not Always Easy to Find

While fresh blueberries are readily available in supermarkets in many countries, bilberries can be much harder to find outside the regions where they naturally grow or are harvested.

For this reason, people interested in bilberry may encounter it in several different forms, including frozen fruit, processed foods, extracts and dietary supplements.

Bilberry is not the only source of anthocyanins. Blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants and various purple-coloured vegetables also contain members of this family of plant pigments.

A varied diet can therefore include many different colourful foods, while those who are particularly interested in bilberry can choose a form that suits their lifestyle.

Bilberry as Food or a Supplement: What’s the Difference?

If you would like to include bilberry in your routine, you may wonder whether it is better to enjoy it as a food or take it as a supplement.

There is no need to think of one as automatically better than the other. Each offers different advantages.

The Pleasure of Enjoying Whole Foods

Fruits and vegetables naturally contain a combination of nutrients and other food components rather than one isolated ingredient.

They also offer something a supplement cannot replicate: flavour, aroma, colour and texture.

Adding berries to yoghurt or enjoying seasonal fruit as a dessert, for example, can make nutritious foods part of the pleasure of eating rather than simply something to tick off a list.

Supplements Can Be Convenient for Everyday Life

Supplements, on the other hand, provide a convenient way to include ingredients that may not be readily available as everyday foods.

For a fruit such as bilberry, which can be difficult to find fresh throughout the year in many countries, a supplement may be a practical option for people who would like to include bilberry-derived ingredients in their routine.

Supplements are also easy to store, carry and incorporate into an established daily routine.

Food can remain the foundation of the diet while supplements provide an additional option according to individual lifestyle and preferences.

That is a practical way to think about the relationship between everyday food and supplementation.

When Choosing a Bilberry Supplement, Look Beyond the Front Label

If you are comparing bilberry supplements, it is worth looking beyond the words “contains bilberry.”

Products can differ in the ingredients used, quantities provided, extract specifications, accompanying nutrients and recommended daily intake.

Before choosing a product, consider checking information such as:

• The type and amount of bilberry-derived ingredients
• Whether anthocyanin content or extract specifications are provided
• Other ingredients included in the formula
• Recommended daily intake
• Pack size and suitability for regular use
• Directions and precautions

A larger number on a label does not automatically make one supplement the right choice for everyone.

Reading the product information and choosing something that makes sense for your own lifestyle is a better place to start.

Next, we will look at another ingredient frequently combined with bilberry—lutein—before introducing the bilberry supplement available from Brilliant Life Products NZ.

What Is Lutein, and Why Is It Often Combined with Bilberry?

When looking at bilberry supplements, you may also come across another ingredient called “lutein.”

Lutein is a naturally occurring pigment belonging to a group of compounds known as carotenoids.

It is found in a variety of foods, particularly green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli.

Although lutein and the anthocyanins found in bilberries are both naturally occurring plant pigments, they belong to different groups of compounds and have different characteristics.

• Anthocyanins: Polyphenols associated with the red, purple and blue colours found in bilberries and other plant foods
• Lutein: A carotenoid pigment found naturally in green vegetables and other foods

Both are fascinating examples of naturally occurring pigments found throughout the plant world, but they have different properties and roles within the body.

Lutein Is Also Found in the Human Body

Lutein is obtained through the diet and is found in the human body, including in the macula of the retina.

Because of this characteristic, lutein has become a well-known subject of nutritional research relating to the eyes and visual function.

When you see bilberry and lutein combined in the same product, it can be helpful to think of the formula as bringing together two different types of naturally occurring plant-derived compounds.

Make Bilberry Part of Your Everyday Routine

Bilberry is a distinctive berry known for its deep blue-purple colour and naturally occurring anthocyanins.

Trying fresh bilberries would certainly be an interesting experience, but they are not as readily available as blueberries in many parts of the world.

For those who are interested in bilberry and would like a convenient way to incorporate bilberry-derived ingredients into everyday life, a supplement can be one practical option.

At Brilliant Life Products NZ, we offer a Health Life supplement that combines bilberry-derived ingredients with lutein.

Health Life Bilberry & Lutein

A convenient Health Life supplement combining bilberry-derived ingredients with lutein for easy inclusion in your everyday routine.

It provides a simple way to include bilberry-derived ingredients in your routine, particularly when fresh bilberries are not readily available.

View Bilberry & Lutein

More Than a “Beauty Supplement”: Make It Part of Your Everyday Wellness Routine

Although this article explores bilberry from a beauty perspective, supplements do not need to be viewed solely through the lens of beauty.

Follow the directions provided with the product and find a convenient place for it within your regular routine. It can also be a useful reminder to think about the variety and balance of your everyday diet.

Beauty and wellbeing are shaped by the small habits we maintain over time rather than by doing something extraordinary for just one day.

Learning about bilberry, its beautiful purple colour and the anthocyanins behind it can also make choosing a supplement feel more meaningful than simply selecting an ingredient because its name is familiar.

Check the Label When Choosing a Supplement

Not every product labelled as a “bilberry supplement” is formulated in the same way.

Ingredients, quantities, extract specifications and recommended intake can vary from one product to another.

Before choosing a supplement, check information such as:

• Ingredients and formulation
• Amounts or specifications provided for key ingredients
• Recommended daily intake
• Pack size
• Directions for use
• Warnings and precautions

Dietary supplements are intended to complement the diet rather than replace a varied and balanced way of eating.

If you take medication, are receiving medical treatment, are pregnant or breastfeeding, check the product precautions and seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional when necessary.

A Few Things to Remember About Bilberry

As we have seen, there is much more to bilberry than its familiar reputation.

It looks similar to a blueberry, yet its flesh is intensely coloured.

That rich colour is closely associated with anthocyanins, a group of naturally occurring polyphenol pigments.

In Europe, bilberries have long been enjoyed as wild berries, while elsewhere many people are more familiar with them as an ingredient in supplements.

And although bilberry is widely associated with the eyes, there is much more to discover about the fruit itself.

When choosing foods or supplements, it can be just as interesting to understand where an ingredient comes from and what makes it distinctive as it is to think about why you might want to include it in your routine.

That curiosity can make everyday choices around beauty, nutrition and wellbeing a little more enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bilberry

Are Bilberries and Blueberries the Same?

No. Bilberries and blueberries are closely related members of the Vaccinium genus, but they are different fruits.

Many commonly cultivated blueberries have blue-purple skin with pale green or whitish flesh. Bilberries are particularly distinctive because their flesh is also deep red-purple to purple.

Does Eating Bilberry Improve Eyesight?

Bilberries and anthocyanins have been investigated in a variety of studies relating to visual function.

However, the available evidence does not mean that eating bilberries or taking a bilberry supplement will generally improve eyesight in healthy people.

Bilberries can instead be appreciated as distinctive berries containing naturally occurring anthocyanins and enjoyed as part of a varied diet.

If you notice changes in your vision or have concerns about your eyes, seek advice from an optometrist, ophthalmologist or other appropriate healthcare professional rather than relying on food or supplements.

Is Bilberry Good for Beauty?

Bilberries contain naturally occurring plant compounds, including the anthocyanins responsible for their characteristic deep blue-purple colour.

For a beauty-conscious lifestyle, it is more useful to consider the bigger picture: a varied diet with colourful fruits and vegetables, quality sleep, regular physical activity, sun protection and an appropriate skincare routine.

Bilberries can be one colourful and interesting addition to this broader approach to everyday beauty and wellbeing.

Can Bilberry Be Included in My Routine Every Day?

When enjoying bilberries as food, include them alongside a variety of other fruits and foods as part of a balanced diet.

If you are using a bilberry supplement, follow the recommended daily intake and precautions provided with the individual product.

When Should I Take a Bilberry Supplement?

Dietary supplements are generally foods rather than medicines, so unless the individual product specifies a particular time, there is not necessarily one universal time of day at which bilberry supplements must be taken.

Always check the product directions first, then choose a time that fits comfortably into your routine and makes it easy to remember.

Summary: Let Bilberry’s Deep Purple Colour Inspire Your Everyday Beauty and Wellbeing

Bilberry is a small berry from the Vaccinium family that grows naturally across parts of Europe and other regions.

Its tiny fruit develops a striking deep blue-purple to red-purple colour, created in part by naturally occurring anthocyanin pigments.

Many people first discover bilberry through its long-standing association with eye health.

But there is much more to this little berry.

Its wild origins, vivid purple colour, naturally occurring anthocyanins and place in European food traditions all make bilberry an interesting plant food in its own right.

Once you know the story behind it, the familiar word “bilberry” on a supplement label can take on a little more meaning.

Beauty and wellbeing are not created by one food or one supplement.

Enjoying a varied diet, filling your plate with different colours, getting quality sleep, staying active, protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure and enjoying a skincare routine that suits you can all form part of a balanced lifestyle.

And depending on your lifestyle and preferences, supplements can provide another convenient option alongside those everyday habits.

As one small and enjoyable part of your routine, why not discover a little more of what makes bilberry such an interesting deep-purple berry?