Bilberry Extract and Lutein benefits for Skin
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
Recent studies begin to realize the effects of bilberry extract for skincare due to its amazing nutrient profile. While British fighter pilots during World War 11 employed this fruit to support eye health, bilberry extract benefits for skin have just recently come to light. Lutein, an organic pigment with powerful antioxidant properties is highly beneficial for skin health. Bilberry extract and lutein protect the skin from oxidative damage and slow the process of aging.
This article details bilberry extract and lutein benefits for the skin and possible risks or side effects associated with overconsumption.
What is Bilberry?
The bilberry plant also known as “whortleberry” or “European blueberry” is a fruit-bearing plant grown in northern and central Europe. Although its fruit resembles that of blueberry and has a citrus flavor and bright yellow color and its extract and juices are more potent.
Bilberries have long been used medicinally since the Middle Ages, and their juice has long been used to color paper and linen. They are now associated with a number of health advantages, from better vision to reduced blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Bilberries are an excellent source of antioxidants, which are healthy plant chemicals that protect your body from diseases. Berries, particularly blueberries, are among the foods with the greatest antioxidant content, according to research. Bilberries probably possess the same qualities as blueberries because of their close resemblance.
Bilberries also include anthocyanins, vitamin C, phenolic acids, and other nutrients and the majority of these berries' beneficial properties are considered to be caused by anthocyanins.
Is Bilberry Extract Effective for Skin Health?
Bilberry extract is a more powerful liquid with potent antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that neutralize the harmful effect of free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, prevent cellular damage, and delay the onset of aging.
Various studies revealed that berries extract protects the body from oxidative damage and prevents various skin diseases. According to an animal study, bilberry extract was applied twice daily for 28 days. Results revealed that bilberry extract was an excellent source of anthocyanin and proanthocyanin. Bioactive compounds like alpha-linoleic acid, chlorogenic acid, and iso-quercetin are responsible for these results.
Another study revealed that berries possess powerful chemo-preventive properties. The study aimed to examine the impact of several berry extracts on human HaCaT keratinocytes' inducible VEGF expression. A grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) and six fruit extracts (wild blueberry, bilberry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry seed, and strawberry) were investigated. Results showed that all these berries samples remarkably restricted H2O2 and VEGF expression by human keratinocytes.
Other Benefits
Support Healthy Vision
Bilberries are known to have the potential to boost eye health and improve night vision. According to a study, people with glaucoma were given 120 mg of bilberry anthocyanins and results suggested a 30% improvement in visual functions.
Relieve Inflammation
Anthocyanins present in bilberries contain powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve inflammation. In a research, people were given 300 mg of bilberry anthocyanin and a 38-60% reduction in inflammatory markers was reported.
Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
Studies revealed that bilberries may lower blood sugar levels by preventing the absorption of carbohydrates and stimulating the secretion of insulin.
Prevent Heart Diseases
Research showed that bilberry extract is high in vitamin K which prevents clot formation and reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Support Brain Health
Bilberry supplements are associated with improved memory and increased learning ability in older people.
Have Anti-microbial Properties
Various animal and test tube studies showed that bilberries exert antimicrobial properties against various strains of bacteria like Salmonella and Staphylococcus.
What is Lutein?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the organic pigments called carotenoids which are produced by plants imparting a reddish hue to fruits and vegetables. They are powerful antioxidants and offer a wide range of benefits to the body. Lutein helps protect eye health and is known as eye pigment. It also protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals and prevents cellular damage.
Is Lutein Effective for Skin?
Being high in antioxidants, lutein boost skin health by reducing oxidative stress and slowing the aging process. Lutein can filter blue light and shield the skin from other environmental dangers including high energy sources. These carotenoids could be able to reduce cytokines, boost antioxidants, and prevent the development of melanin pathways.
According to a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 50 healthy individuals with dry skin were given either lutein supplements 10 mg or a placebo daily for 3 months. Results revealed that there was a significant improvement in skin tone in the lutein group compared to the placebo.
Increased exposure to the sun can cause inflammation, damage the skin, and speed up the aging process. Lutein can improve skin hydration and maintain skin elasticity hence improving the skin tone. In addition, it can also protect the skin from the UV rays of the sun and prevent damage. According to another study, lutein supplements were tested for their ability to reduce UV damage to the skin. And results revealed that lutein supplements showed less UV damage than placebo.
Lutein and zeaxanthin have been found in human skin in research, and animal studies have shown that they are highly effective in protecting against light-induced skin damage, particularly from UV rays.
Other Benefits
Studies concluded that lutein has the potential to prevent eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment due to its high antioxidant levels.
Lutein and zeaxanthin also help relieve inflammation and inflammatory processes. It has the potential to reduce the symptoms of uveitis, a condition in which there is inflammation in the middle layer of the eye.
How to Protect Your Skin?
- Avoid sun exposure or protect your skin from UV rays (via sunscreens and protective clothing)
- Take in lots of water to stay hydrated.
- Reduce your stress levels and get enough rest.
- Don't drink too much and don't smoke
- Eat a balanced diet to encourage the production of new skin cells.
Bottom Line
Bilberry extract is obtained from bilberry fruit and is a powerful antioxidant. It is associated with a range of benefits including skin, eye, heart, and brain health. Bilberry extract and lutein protect the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, prevent oxidative damage and slow the aging process. They keep the skin hydrated, make it elastic and maintain the structural integrity and tone of the skin.
Here you can check out Vorst’s Bilberry Supplements Bilberry Extracts 8000mg 90 Capsules, OPC-8 50mg 90 Vegan Capsules, Eye Care Complex 90 Vegan Capsules, and Lutein 18 mg with Zeaxanthin 60 Capsules.
References
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/3/465/htm
https://europepmc.org/article/med/19702172/reload=0
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17634269/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841576/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12323088/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20089785/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminK-HealthProfessional/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjd.15080