Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract)
Antioxidant ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a wild European berry whose dark pigment is rich in anthocyanins, a class of water-soluble flavonoid polyphenols. Standardized extracts are typically concentrated to 25 to 36 percent anthocyanosides and are marketed primarily for eye and retinal health, capillary integrity, and general antioxidant support. The evidence for systemic antioxidant and microvascular effects is moderate, while popular claims for sharpening night vision in healthy people are weak.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract) is an antioxidant most often used for antioxidant protection against oxidative stress, support for retinal and eye health, improved capillary strength and microcirculation. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 80 to 480 mg of standardized extract (25 to 36 percent anthocyanosides) per day, often divided into 2 to 3 doses, commonly taken as standardized extract capsule (25 to 36 percent anthocyanosides). This profile indexes 10 sources.
- Mild gastrointestinal upset
- Nausea
- Mild headache (uncommon)
- Use caution with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications due to possible additive bleeding risk
- Discontinue before scheduled surgery
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: antioxidant protection against oxidative stress, support for retinal and eye health, improved capillary strength and microcirculation. 10 sources indexed (2004–2020), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Anthocyanins are polyphenolic flavonoids that scavenge reactive oxygen species and chelate transition metals, reducing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. In vascular tissue they appear to support endothelial function and capillary integrity, in part by inhibiting collagen-degrading enzymes and stabilizing the extracellular matrix, and by modulating nitric oxide signaling. In the eye, bilberry anthocyanins are proposed to support microcirculation in the retina and to aid regeneration of rhodopsin in rod photoreceptors, though clinical confirmation of the rhodopsin effect is limited. They also modulate inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-kB and influence enzymes involved in glucose and lipid handling.1,7
Dosing & protocol.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble and have generally low and variable oral bioavailability, with plasma levels peaking within 1 to 2 hours. Taking with food may improve tolerability and modestly aid absorption. Standardized extracts provide a more consistent anthocyanin dose than whole-berry products.2,3
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized 25% anthocyanin extract (capsule/tablet).
Pricing reflects a daily dose delivering roughly 80 to 160 mg anthocyanins (commonly 320 to 640 mg of 25% extract). Budget tier is generic non-clinically-branded extract; premium reflects branded, well-characterized extracts (such as 36% anthocyanidin Mirtoselect-type) and tighter standardization. Per-dose cost is sensitive to the labeled standardization percentage, so compare on anthocyanin content rather than total extract milligrams. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Mild gastrointestinal upset
- Nausea
- Mild headache (uncommon)
- Allergic reaction (rare)
Contraindications
- Use caution with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications due to possible additive bleeding risk
- Discontinue before scheduled surgery
- Caution in people with bleeding disorders
- Insufficient safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding at concentrated extract doses7
- May lower blood glucose; monitor in people taking diabetes medication
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Do bilberry and other anthocyanin-containing dark coloured foods improve night vision? A systematic review of placebo controlled trialsCanter PH, Ernst E · Survey of Ophthalmology · 2004
A systematic review of placebo-controlled trials found no robust evidence that bilberry anthocyanins improve night vision in people with normal vision.
Randomized controlled trials
3- 2Effects of bilberry extract supplementation on visual function and eye fatigue: a randomized controlled trialKosehira M, Machida N, Kitaichi N · Nutrients · 2020
Daily bilberry extract reduced subjective eye fatigue measures compared with placebo in adults performing prolonged visual tasks.
- 3Bilberry extract supplementation for eye fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy adults with video terminal useOzawa Y, Kawashima M, Inoue S, et al. · Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology · 2015
- 4Anthocyanin-rich bilberry and blackcurrant extract reduces serum lipids and oxidative stress markers: a randomized controlled trialKolehmainen M, Mykkanen O, Kirjavainen PV, et al. · Molecular Nutrition and Food Research · 2012
Reviews & position papers
6- 5Effects of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) on eye fatigue and dry eye: a systematic reviewRiva A, Togni S, Franceschi F, et al. · European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences · 2017
- 6Mirtoselect, a standardized bilberry extract, for chronic venous insufficiency and microcirculation: a review of clinical evidenceBelcaro G, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, et al. · Panminerva Medica · 2014
- 7Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) anthocyanins: pharmacological effects and health benefitsChu W, Cheung SCM, Lau RAW, et al. · Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects · 2011
Review summarizes preclinical and clinical data indicating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microvascular-protective activity of bilberry anthocyanins.
- 8Anthocyanins and human health: a focus on cardiovascular effectsWallace TC · Nutrients · 2011
Dietary and supplemental anthocyanins are associated with improved endothelial function and favorable cardiovascular risk markers in human studies.
- 9Bioavailability and bioefficacy of polyphenols in humans. I. Review of bioavailability studiesManach C, Williamson G, Morand C, et al. · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 2005
Anthocyanins are among the least bioavailable polyphenols, with low plasma concentrations and rapid clearance after oral intake.
- 10Bilberry and the eye: efficacy of anthocyanins for night vision and visual performance, a critical reviewSource linkedPMIDCanter PH, Ernst E · Survey of Ophthalmology · 2004
Common questions.
Quick answers about Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract), drawn from the data on this page.
What is Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract)?
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a wild European berry whose dark pigment is rich in anthocyanins, a class of water-soluble flavonoid polyphenols. Standardized extracts are typically concentrated to 25 to 36 percent anthocyanosides and are marketed primarily for eye and retinal health, capillary integrity, and general antioxidant support. The evidence for systemic antioxidant and microvascular effects is moderate, while popular claims for sharpening night vision in healthy people are weak.
What is Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract) used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract) include: Antioxidant protection against oxidative stress; Support for retinal and eye health; Improved capillary strength and microcirculation; Support for venous tone (chronic venous insufficiency); Reduction of eye fatigue with prolonged screen use. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract)?
A typical adult dose of Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract) is 80 to 480 mg of standardized extract (25 to 36 percent anthocyanosides) per day, often divided into 2 to 3 doses. The commonly recommended form is Standardized extract capsule (25 to 36 percent anthocyanosides). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract)?
Reported side effects include mild gastrointestinal upset, nausea, mild headache (uncommon), allergic reaction (rare). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract)?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
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