The lingonberry is a member of the Ericaceae family in which belongs to blueberries and cranberries. Vaccinium Vitis – the idea is the scientific name of this type of berry. There are wild and American lingonberries and European lingonberry. The wild or American lingonberry typically produces one crop per year in the summer, while the European lingonberry produces two and ranges from 2 – 16 inches in height with branches 3 – 4 inches long. The lingonberry has Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fiber, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and calories.
The lingonberry is a delicious fruit. It is filled with antioxidants and they can help to stave off disease and inflammation. There are different ways of using lingonberry in your diet, you can try the lingonberry in your morning smoothie or as a topping on your favorite pancakes or as a lingonberry sauce on baked turkey breast. When you consume lingonberry, then you can help treat urinary tract infections, keep your mouth healthy and potentially even prevent cancer cell growth. The lingonberry can be used as cough syrup, pickles, candy, ice cream, sherbet, soufflé, cocktails, cheesecakes, jam and jelly, syrup, liqueur, and wine.
When the lingonberry concentrate is taken orally as directed is considered safe. But, it may not be safe to use lingonberry leaves for long periods of time. The leaves can cause vomiting and nausea. Talk with your doctor if you are breastfeeding or pregnant before you take lingonberry as part of your diet. Here are some health benefits of lingonberry:
Can help keep a healthy mouth
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Bacteria can easily form in the mouth which is causing plaque to develop. If this is not managed properly, then it can lead to bigger problems. In some studies are said that the antimicrobial characteristics of lingonberry can help to reduce the risk of bacteria forming in the mouth. It is known that the accumulation of dental plaque can trigger health problems, like gum disease. When you take lingonberry on a regular basis and in a combination with good oral hygiene, then you can actually eliminate problems altogether. The antimicrobial effects of lingonberry can inhibit bacterial growth in the mouth.
Reduces the occurrence of urinary tract infections in women
The lingonberry can be used as a natural treatment for getting relief from urinary tract infections. In one study were participating women who suffer from E. coli and they were randomly allocated into 3 groups. They were asked to consume 50 ml of cranberry – lingonberry juice concentrate on a daily basis in a period of six months, 100 ml of lactobacillus and they drink it five days a week for one year or they had no intervention at all.
In this study was noticed that there was a 20% reduction in the risk of urinary tract infections in the berry group compared with the control group. This has shown that consuming the juice as part of your regular diet can help to reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infections.
May prevent cancer cell growth
In one study were studied the effect of the extracts from 10 different fruits and berries, and the lingonberry has taken a part of it. It has been noticed that the extracts have decreased the proliferation of colon cancer cells, as well as breast cancer cells. It is possible that when Vitamin C is combined with antioxidant-filled anthocyanins to contribute to the inhibition of the growth of cancer cells, so there is a potential for berries like lingonberry to be used as a cancer-fighting food.
Helps reduce inflammation in the body
In one study were participating 40 healthy men, aged 60 and it was studied the effect of lingonberry, bilberry, and black currants, specifically looking for an increase in quercetin. Twenty people have consumed 100 g of berries per day, including the lingonberry in a period of 8 weeks. The other group in this study continued to consume a usual diet. It has been noticed that people who consumed berries had a significantly larger amount of quercetin. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help anyone to deal with chronic inflammation problems, such as arthritis.
