Compound or practice · Supplement
Bilberry
An anthocyanin-rich berry for eye and vascular health — the WWII 'night vision' legend is a myth, the vascular data are real-ish.
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade C · 1 at grade D — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Eye fatigue / dry eyeEvidence grade C
Modest
Smallmixed
- Night vision (healthy)Evidence grade D
Myth — no effect
Trivialhigh
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Eye fatigue / dry eye (grade C); Night vision (healthy) (grade D).
The evidence in words
What it is
Bilberry is a European relative of blueberry, exceptionally rich in anthocyanins, sold mainly for eye health.
How it works
Anthocyanins are antioxidants that support microvascular integrity and may aid retinal blood flow and the visual pigment cycle.
What the evidence shows
The famous 'RAF pilots' night-vision story is a debunked myth — controlled trials show no night-vision benefit in healthy people. However, bilberry shows modest benefits for eye fatigue, dry eye, and venous/microvascular symptoms, consistent with its anthocyanin content. Evidence is small and mixed.
Safety & interactions
Very safe as a food/extract; mild antiplatelet effect at high doses.
Bottom line
Skip it for night vision (a myth). A reasonable, gentle option for eye fatigue and microvascular support, with modest evidence.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Bilberry for Eye fatigue / dry eyeEvidence grade C — ModestEvidence grade C
- Bilberry for Night vision (healthy)Evidence grade D — Myth — no effectEvidence grade D
- Bilberry: side effects, safety & interactionsVery safe as a food/extract; mild antiplatelet effect at high doses.Evidence grade C
- Green Tea Extract (EGCG)Modest metabolic and cardiovascular benefits from catechins — and a real, if uncommon, liver-toxicity signal at high concentrated doses.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.