Inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine are agonizing ailments that can reduce the quality of life and even lead to long term complications if not managed properly. Fortunately, a recent Swiss study shines a new ray of hope for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) sufferers. The researchers at the University Hospital of Zurich have obtained data showing that bilberries can fight bowel inflammation and colitis when consumed regularly.
Active Compounds in Bilberries
Previous studies have shown that berries in general have a natural ability to help the human body fight a range of diseases by reducing the number of risk factors associated with them. Bilberries in particular have been known to have important effects in preventing and reversing bowel disorders like acute and chronic diarrhea or inflammations of the digestive tract.
Bilberries are the fruits of a shrub that can be found in subarctic and temperate regions of Europe. They are closely related to North American blueberries, but are smaller and more flavored. They are usually eaten fresh, as jams or combined with various dishes. Raw bilberry juice will preserve all of the qualities of the fruit itself and offer the same benefits when consumed.
Among berries, bilberries are known to have the highest concentration of anthocyanins, a group of flavonoids responsible for giving certain fruits their natural red, blue or purple color. These active substances are found in both skin and pulp. Their powerful free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties give them the ability to combat the effects of various lifestyle-related diseases and contribute to maintaining overall health.
Tests Show Promising Results in Reducing Bowel Inflammation
The team of researchers led by Professor Gerhard Rogler wanted to obtain more conclusive results regarding the impact that bilberries have on experimental colitis. The scientists used a group of laboratory mice for their research. They chemically treated the mice to induce an inflammation of the gut that eventually led to colitis by using a substance called dextrane sodium sulphate (DSS). This chemical compound is used for experimental purposes in duplicating the natural onset of colitis or inflammations of the gut.
The mice were then divided into three groups, with each group being fed meals supplemented with dried bilberries or anthocyanins extracts. The first group received a supplementation of 10% dried fruits, while the second and third group were given only 1% bilberries and 10% extracts.
The results show that eating bilberries has led to a decrease in disease severity. It has also led to a decline in the production of interferon-gamma, a chemical compound known to have inflammatory boosting characteristics in specific contexts. “Our data show considerably positive effects of bilberries, in particular in colitis. Furthermore, a significant improvement of acute as well as chronic colitis was induced” explained the scientists.
The necessity for further clinical trials in order to confirm these promising results has been underlined in the study, as blueberries might prove to be a viable alternative to steroids in treating colitis. “Taken together, ingestion of dried bilberries had positive effects on various parameters especially in acute DSS-colitis. Oral administration of ACs resulted in an amelioration of acute colitis as well as chronic colitis. These promising results justify a clinical study on their therapeutic effect in inflammatory bowel disease patients”, the researchers concluded.
While some critics continue to contest the popular superfood status that berries have enjoyed for many years, more and more scientific evidence amounts in their favor. What seems to permeate from all of this scientific data is that berries can support health in a multitude of ways, and consuming them regularly may reduce risk factors for common health conditions.
Michelle Bosmier - Michelle Bosmier is a passionate nutrition expert, author and health journalist with a vast experience in dieting and wellness.
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