Hefty ANTIOXIDANT DOSING
Anthocyanins are the pigments that make blueberries, bilberries, and blackcurrants deep blue and purple. The blueberry built its superfood reputation on their antioxidant value, nearly every study behind that reputation traces back to its anthocyanin content. Bilberry, the blueberry's wild European cousin, runs even richer total anthocyanins.
Our Bilberry Anthocyanins concentrate them from the fruit at a 100:1 ratio, so each capsule carries a meaningful 100mg anthocyanin yield in a practical easy dosing form.
Our Bilberry Anthocyanins concentrate them from the fruit at a 100:1 ratio, so each capsule carries a meaningful 100mg anthocyanin yield in a practical easy dosing form.
THE FORMULA
- Each bottle of Bilberry Anthocyanins includes 60 capsules (60 servings). Per capsule:
- Bilberry Extract 100:1 (min 25% Anthocyanins) (400mg)
- of which Anthocyanins (100mg)
Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Quick Facts
- Dosage: 1-2 capsules daily, taken with a fat-containing meal
- Timeline: vascular and antioxidant markers shift over 2-4 weeks; visual and longer-term effects build over 8-12 weeks
- One capsule a day is enough for most people; those with higher oxidative stress burdens will need to dose higher according to their need, as seen in bloodwork
ONE CAPSULE, A HANDFUL OF BLUEBERRIES
Fresh blueberries carry roughly 160mg of anthocyanins per 100g. Each capsule delivers 100mg. That puts a single capsule on par with about 60g of fresh blueberries - a generous handful, or close to half a cup, every day. Two capsules match a full cup.
Consistency is a notable consideration with this. Anthocyanin levels in fruit swing with cultivar, ripeness, storage, and cooking, and the pigments degrade with light and heat. Our standardised 100:1 extract holds a fixed, label-guaranteed dose in a light-stable protected bottle, with none of the sugar.
Consistency is a notable consideration with this. Anthocyanin levels in fruit swing with cultivar, ripeness, storage, and cooking, and the pigments degrade with light and heat. Our standardised 100:1 extract holds a fixed, label-guaranteed dose in a light-stable protected bottle, with none of the sugar.
How bilberry anthocyanins work
Bilberry's value comes from a family of five anthocyanins - delphinidin, malvidin, cyanidin, petunidin, and peonidin glucosides. They act through several overlapping pathways rather than one headline mechanism.
Antioxidant Defence
Anthocyanins scavenge reactive oxygen species directly, and they push your own antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) to work harder. This matters most for the blood vessel lining, where oxidative stress drives early dysfunction and hence why they're often valued for cardiovascular health.
Vascular and Microcirculatory Support
A healthy endothelium relaxes and contracts to move blood through the smallest vessels. Anthocyanins support endothelial function and nitric oxide availability, which helps perfusion in the capillary beds that feed muscle and other tissue. They also gently moderate platelet stickiness, a key priority for our Strom community as we manage higher RBC count.
Anti-Inflammatory Pathways
Laboratory studies map how these pigments calm inflammation. Malvidin-3-glucoside, which generally makes up about a quarter of bilberry anthocyanins, blocks the NF-kB signalling that switches on inflammatory mediators in endothelial cells. The whole anthocyanin family inhibits phospholipase A2 and COX enzymes, the same arachidonic-acid cascade targeted by common anti-inflammatories, and activates AMPK, the cell's metabolic master switch that resveratrol is so well known for.
Eye Health
The retina has a high mitochondria output and takes constant light stress, both contributing to damage risk. Anthocyanins concentrate in eye tissue and help defend it against oxidative damage. This is the traditional reason bilberry has been used to support vision.
Antioxidant Defence
Anthocyanins scavenge reactive oxygen species directly, and they push your own antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) to work harder. This matters most for the blood vessel lining, where oxidative stress drives early dysfunction and hence why they're often valued for cardiovascular health.
Vascular and Microcirculatory Support
A healthy endothelium relaxes and contracts to move blood through the smallest vessels. Anthocyanins support endothelial function and nitric oxide availability, which helps perfusion in the capillary beds that feed muscle and other tissue. They also gently moderate platelet stickiness, a key priority for our Strom community as we manage higher RBC count.
Anti-Inflammatory Pathways
Laboratory studies map how these pigments calm inflammation. Malvidin-3-glucoside, which generally makes up about a quarter of bilberry anthocyanins, blocks the NF-kB signalling that switches on inflammatory mediators in endothelial cells. The whole anthocyanin family inhibits phospholipase A2 and COX enzymes, the same arachidonic-acid cascade targeted by common anti-inflammatories, and activates AMPK, the cell's metabolic master switch that resveratrol is so well known for.
Eye Health
The retina has a high mitochondria output and takes constant light stress, both contributing to damage risk. Anthocyanins concentrate in eye tissue and help defend it against oxidative damage. This is the traditional reason bilberry has been used to support vision.
STACKING WITH OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR PRODUCTS
For us Bilberry slots into a broader as a protective ingredient that acts as a foundation to cardiovascular health management, much in the way managing blood pressure is also. Its antioxidant and vascular support are complimentary to many of the stacks we provide for corrective actions or specific bloodwork concerns.
Common pairings are with our:
Common pairings are with our:
- SupportMAX OCS,
- NAC,
- ThromboMAX,
- LipidMAX,
- and SystolMAX.
F.A.Q.
Q: What is the difference between a 100:1 extract and whole bilberry powder?
A: A 100:1 extract concentrates the anthocyanins through solvent extraction, stripping out water and fibre. Whole fruit is roughly 0.3% anthocyanins by weight; this extract is standardised to minimum 25%. That lets one capsule deliver a research-level dose you could not reach comfortably by eating the bilberries themselves.
Q: How long does it take to work?
A: Antioxidant and vascular markers respond within 2-4 weeks of consistent use. Eye-health benefits build more slowly, usually over 8-12 weeks, as anthocyanins accumulate in tissue.
Q: What is the best way to take it?
A: One to two capsules daily, with a meal containing some fat. Fat improves absorption, and a single daily dose is enough given the long half-life of the active metabolites.
Q: Can I stack it with other antioxidants?
A: Yes. Bilberry works well alongside vitamin C and other polyphenols. If you take pharmaceutical vasodilators or blood-pressure medication, monitor for additive effects.
Q: Any concern with blood thinners or antiplatelet medication?
A: Bilberry anthocyanins have mild antiplatelet activity. If you use pharmaceutical anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, speak to your healthcare provider, as the effects may add up.
A: A 100:1 extract concentrates the anthocyanins through solvent extraction, stripping out water and fibre. Whole fruit is roughly 0.3% anthocyanins by weight; this extract is standardised to minimum 25%. That lets one capsule deliver a research-level dose you could not reach comfortably by eating the bilberries themselves.
Q: How long does it take to work?
A: Antioxidant and vascular markers respond within 2-4 weeks of consistent use. Eye-health benefits build more slowly, usually over 8-12 weeks, as anthocyanins accumulate in tissue.
Q: What is the best way to take it?
A: One to two capsules daily, with a meal containing some fat. Fat improves absorption, and a single daily dose is enough given the long half-life of the active metabolites.
Q: Can I stack it with other antioxidants?
A: Yes. Bilberry works well alongside vitamin C and other polyphenols. If you take pharmaceutical vasodilators or blood-pressure medication, monitor for additive effects.
Q: Any concern with blood thinners or antiplatelet medication?
A: Bilberry anthocyanins have mild antiplatelet activity. If you use pharmaceutical anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents, speak to your healthcare provider, as the effects may add up.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
[1] Kalt, W., Cassidy, A., Howard, L. R., & Krikorian, R. (2016). Recent research on the health benefits of blueberries and their anthocyanins. Advances in Nutrition, 7(2), 247-256. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.115.009148
[2] Zafra-Stone, S., Yasmin, T., Bagchi, M., Chatterjee, A., Vaya, J., & Bagchi, D. (2007). Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health and disease prevention. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 51(6), 675-683. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700002
[3] Keane, K. M., George, T. W., Constantinou, C. L., Brown, M. A., & Clifford, T. (2016). Effects of anthocyanin-rich blueberry supplementation on recovery of muscle function and soreness after eccentric exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 26(6), 510-517. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2016-0040
[4] Tian, Z., Li, K., Fan, D., Zhao, Y., Gao, X., Ma, X., et al. (2021). Dose-dependent effects of anthocyanin supplementation on platelet function in subjects with dyslipidemia: A randomized clinical trial. EBioMedicine, 70, 103533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103533
[5] Thompson, K., Hosking, H., Pederick, W., Singh, I., & Santhakumar, A. B. (2017). The effect of anthocyanin supplementation in modulating platelet function in sedentary population: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 118(5), 368-374. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114517002124
[6] Krga, I., Vidovic, N., Milenkovic, D., Konic-Ristic, A., Stojanovic, F., Morand, C., & Glibetic, M. (2018). Effects of anthocyanins and their gut metabolites on adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation and their aggregation with monocytes and neutrophils. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 645, 34-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2018.03.016
[7] Wu, X., Beecher, G. R., Holden, J. M., Haytowitz, D. B., Gebhardt, S. E., & Prior, R. L. (2006). Concentrations of anthocyanins in common foods in the United States and estimation of normal consumption. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(11), 4069-4075. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf060300l
[8] Miyazawa, T., Nakagawa, K., Kamisaki, Y., & Hashimoto, K. (1999). Antiatherogenic effect of anthocyanins in low-density lipoprotein. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 264(3), 696-700. https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1999.1575
[2] Zafra-Stone, S., Yasmin, T., Bagchi, M., Chatterjee, A., Vaya, J., & Bagchi, D. (2007). Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health and disease prevention. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 51(6), 675-683. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700002
[3] Keane, K. M., George, T. W., Constantinou, C. L., Brown, M. A., & Clifford, T. (2016). Effects of anthocyanin-rich blueberry supplementation on recovery of muscle function and soreness after eccentric exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 26(6), 510-517. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2016-0040
[4] Tian, Z., Li, K., Fan, D., Zhao, Y., Gao, X., Ma, X., et al. (2021). Dose-dependent effects of anthocyanin supplementation on platelet function in subjects with dyslipidemia: A randomized clinical trial. EBioMedicine, 70, 103533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103533
[5] Thompson, K., Hosking, H., Pederick, W., Singh, I., & Santhakumar, A. B. (2017). The effect of anthocyanin supplementation in modulating platelet function in sedentary population: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 118(5), 368-374. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114517002124
[6] Krga, I., Vidovic, N., Milenkovic, D., Konic-Ristic, A., Stojanovic, F., Morand, C., & Glibetic, M. (2018). Effects of anthocyanins and their gut metabolites on adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet activation and their aggregation with monocytes and neutrophils. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 645, 34-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2018.03.016
[7] Wu, X., Beecher, G. R., Holden, J. M., Haytowitz, D. B., Gebhardt, S. E., & Prior, R. L. (2006). Concentrations of anthocyanins in common foods in the United States and estimation of normal consumption. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(11), 4069-4075. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf060300l
[8] Miyazawa, T., Nakagawa, K., Kamisaki, Y., & Hashimoto, K. (1999). Antiatherogenic effect of anthocyanins in low-density lipoprotein. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 264(3), 696-700. https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1999.1575