Bilberry vs. Blueberry Supplements: Which is Better for Your Health?

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

While both are heralded as antioxidant powerhouses, wild European bilberries are known to contain up to four times more potent anthocyanin compounds than their cultivated blueberry cousins. Understanding this difference is crucial when deciding which is better bilberry or blueberry supplements for your specific health needs.

Quick Summary

Bilberry supplements are often superior for specific benefits like vision support due to higher anthocyanin concentrations. Blueberry supplements provide robust general antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with variations depending on the species. The optimal choice depends on whether a broad-spectrum antioxidant is desired or if targeted benefits are the priority.

Key Points

Anthocyanin Potency: Bilberry supplements generally contain significantly higher concentrations of anthocyanins, making them more potent for specific health targets.
Eye Health Specialty: Bilberry is superior for vision support, protecting the retina and improving microcirculation due to its concentrated anthocyanin profile.
General Antioxidant Support: Blueberry supplements provide excellent, broad-spectrum antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, supporting overall cellular health.
Targeted vs. Broad Benefits: Choose bilberry for targeted benefits like vision and circulation; choose blueberry for general wellness and cognitive support.
Quality and Standardization: Always opt for supplements from reputable brands, especially standardized bilberry extracts, to ensure consistent potency.

Bilberry vs. Blueberry: Understanding the Key Differences

Bilberry ($Vaccinium myrtillus$) and blueberry ($Vaccinium corymbosum$ and other species) are both small, dark berries with impressive health profiles, but they are not identical. The primary distinction lies in their anthocyanin content, distribution, and cultivation. Bilberries are wild-grown in Northern Europe and are dark purple or red all the way through, staining anything they touch. Cultivated American blueberries, by contrast, have light green flesh and a blue skin. This deep, consistent color in bilberries is a direct result of their significantly higher anthocyanin concentration, a key factor in their therapeutic value.

The Power of Anthocyanins: Why Concentration Matters

Anthocyanins are the powerful flavonoid antioxidants responsible for the blue, red, and purple colors in berries. These compounds protect cells from oxidative stress, a process that can contribute to aging and disease. While both berries contain anthocyanins, the concentration and profile vary significantly.

Anthocyanin Content

Bilberry: Extremely rich in anthocyanins, with average concentrations notably higher than most cultivated blueberries. Bilberry supplements are often standardized to contain 25-36% anthocyanins to ensure consistent potency.
Blueberry: Contains a varied amount of anthocyanins, depending on the species and growing conditions. Wild lowbush blueberries ($Vaccinium angustifolium$) generally have a higher concentration than cultivated highbush ($Vaccinium corymbosum$), but still less than bilberries.

Anthocyanin Distribution

Bilberry: The anthocyanins are distributed throughout the berry, from the skin to the flesh.
Blueberry: The majority of anthocyanins are concentrated in the skin.

Health Benefits Comparison

Bilberry Supplement Benefits:

Superior Eye Health Support: Bilberry's potent anthocyanins are particularly noted for their benefits to eye health. They help protect the retina, improve microcirculation in the eyes, and have traditionally been used to support night vision.
Improved Blood Circulation: The anthocyanins help strengthen capillary walls and improve peripheral blood flow, which can benefit individuals with venous insufficiency.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: The high antioxidant content provides strong anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body.

Blueberry Supplement Benefits:

Broad Antioxidant Protection: Offers a wide range of antioxidant benefits that support overall cellular health and reduce oxidative stress.
Cognitive Function: Research suggests that blueberry consumption may offer neuroprotective effects, potentially improving memory and other cognitive functions, particularly in older adults.
Cardiovascular Health: Blueberries are linked to reduced inflammation and improved cardiovascular function.

Comparison Table: Bilberry vs. Blueberry Supplements


Feature	Bilberry Supplements	Blueberry Supplements
Anthocyanin Content	High concentration, often standardized to 36%.	Lower and more variable concentration, dependent on species.
Primary Health Focus	Primarily targeted for eye health, vision support, and circulation.	Broad-spectrum antioxidant support for brain and heart health.
Antioxidant Potency	Often higher due to wild growth and denser anthocyanin profile.	Effective antioxidant properties, but generally less potent than bilberry.
Cost	Typically more expensive due to wild harvesting and rarity.	More widely available and usually more affordable.
Extraction Source	European wild bilberries ($Vaccinium myrtillus$).	Cultivated American blueberries ($Vaccinium corymbosum$) or wild lowbush ($Vaccinium angustifolium$).

How to Choose the Right Supplement

When selecting a supplement, your specific health goals should guide your decision. For individuals seeking targeted support for their vision or microcirculation, a high-quality bilberry extract is often the superior choice. Its high concentration of potent anthocyanins has been extensively studied for these benefits. Look for standardized bilberry extracts (e.g., 36% anthocyanins) to ensure potency.

For those interested in general antioxidant support, a blueberry supplement is an excellent option. It offers a well-rounded nutritional profile and is a more budget-friendly way to increase antioxidant intake. Research also highlights the cognitive benefits associated with blueberry consumption, making it a good choice for brain health. Quality brands will often specify the blueberry species used, with wild varieties offering more potency than cultivated ones.

Ultimately, both supplements are valuable additions to a healthy lifestyle. The key is to select a product from a reputable manufacturer that practices quality control and provides transparent information about its sourcing and standardization. For those with specific concerns or health conditions, consulting a healthcare provider is always recommended.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

In the competition of which is better bilberry or blueberry supplements, bilberry emerges as the more potent, specialized option for eye health and circulation due to its naturally higher anthocyanin content. Blueberry supplements, while containing less concentrated anthocyanins, offer excellent broad-spectrum antioxidant protection at a more accessible price point. Your decision should be based on your health priorities. Regardless of your choice, selecting a quality, standardized extract is the most important factor to ensure you receive the intended benefits. More research on the neuroprotective effects of blueberry supplementation can be found in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) archives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bilberry is generally considered superior for vision and night sight. Its higher concentration of anthocyanins has a more targeted effect on eye health, protecting the retina and improving microcirculation.

The main difference is the concentration and distribution of anthocyanins. Bilberries are richer in these antioxidants, with the color and compounds distributed throughout the berry, whereas in blueberries, they are mainly concentrated in the skin.

Bilberries are wild-harvested and harder to cultivate than blueberries, which are widely farmed. This scarcity and more difficult sourcing process contribute to the higher cost of bilberry supplements.

Yes, it is generally safe to take both. Many people combine them to get the targeted benefits of bilberry for eyes along with the broader antioxidant support of blueberry. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.

While bilberry is a potent antioxidant, blueberry is a great source for overall, broad-spectrum antioxidant protection, often at a more affordable price point. The 'better' choice depends on whether you seek targeted or general benefits.

Look for supplements made from European bilberry ($Vaccinium myrtillus$) and, most importantly, check if the extract is standardized to contain a specific percentage of anthocyanins, such as 36%.

Blueberry supplements are particularly noted for their potential cognitive benefits, including improving memory and protecting brain health. While bilberry offers these benefits too, extensive research supports the specific cognitive advantages of blueberry.