Bilberry extract side effects

Information on Bilberry Extract

Bilberry extract usually comes in the form of tablets. It is a health supplement which gets derived from ripe bilberries. Sometimes overconsumption of bilberry extract in any form may lead to occurrence of certain side effects. Bilberry comes from the genus of Vaccinium which contains numerous different species and all of them are related.

All the related plants which belong to the genus of Vaccinium bear edible fruits. Bilberry extract usually comes from the one which is botanically referred to as vaccinium myrtillus. Bilberries can be compared to blueberries, although they are usually a little smaller and their color is slightly darker. Billberries develop in a singular form or in pairs, while blueberries are borne in clusters. Bilberry fruit can be consumed in its raw form or it can be dried first. It can also be used to prepare different types of teas, flavored drinks, juices, pies and jams. The bilberry extract can be obtained in the form of tablets but there are usually different concentrations available on the market.

The supplements are very popular because bilberry contains anthocyanidin and tannin which can be of great help in improving the blood circulation and night vision. The content of these substances is standardized to a certain value of concentration so the supplement contains them in a larger amount than the actual fruit. Supplement overdose may sometimes lead to certain side effects.

Bilberry Extract Side Effects

The prescribed daily dose for bilberry extracts is between 60 and 160 milligrams while the suggested daily intake of bilberry fruits in their raw form is no more than 60 g.

Individual dosage may also be affected by numerous other factors and certain medical problems. Different brands of extracts may also recommended different dosages for their respective products. Side effects only occur in rare cases and they are usually triggered by overconsumption. Sometimes they can be triggered by medicine interactions or contaminated products as well. The most common side effect of bilberry extract is diarrhea. It usually resolves all by itself in a couple of days.

These herbal supplements may sometimes cause rashes and other skin conditions as a part of an allergic reaction. Bilberry extracts may also sometimes interact with certain medicaments which are used for the blood thinning. They may also be affiliated with low levels of sugar in the blood and certain hypoglycemia complications. Bilberry extracts may also be the cause of weight loss when consumed for prolonged periods of time.