Bilberry Extract

Supplements · Cardiovascular & Anti-Inflammatory Herbs · Supplement, Typed Supps

A blueberry relative — good evidence says it won’t sharpen your night vision, despite the WWII pilot story.

Stage by stage

Intake (Extract capsule): Active anthocyanin compounds absorbed in the small intestine.
Small intestine (Absorbed): Absorbed alongside other plant compounds.
Bloodstream (Antioxidant activity): Circulates with antioxidant activity.
Eye tissue (Studied for circulation support): Studied for supporting eye blood vessel health, though the famous “WWII pilot night vision” story has little rigorous evidence behind it.

What the evidence supports

Improving night vision in healthy people — insufficient evidence. A systematic review of placebo-controlled trials found that better-conducted studies in healthy volunteers showed no effect on night vision, contradicting the wartime-pilot folklore — a documented negative worth stating plainly.
Reducing screen-related eye fatigue — limited evidence. A few small trials suggest a modest benefit for eye strain, but the evidence is preliminary.

Typical dose

Trials commonly used around 160 mg of an extract standardised to about 25% anthocyanins, once or twice daily

Upper limit: No established UL

Timing

With food, standard dosing.

Time to effect

Weeks: Any reported eye-related effect in studies.

Medication interactions

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs: May add to bleeding risk at high doses through a mild antiplatelet effect. (moderate)

Common myth

“Bilberry dramatically improves night vision.” In reality: The popular wartime pilot story has little rigorous evidence behind it — modern research is more modest and focused on general eye blood vessel health.