Cholesterol may have earned a bad name, and with good reason, but it’s not entirely bad.
A problematic cholesterol level refers to excessive levels of LDL cholesterol.
Table of Contents
1. The Effective Power of Lingonberries on Lowering Blood Cholesterol
1.1. Lingonberries Lower Cholesterol Levels in the Liver
1.2. Lingonberries Reduce Cholesterol That Causes Atherosclerosis
2. 5 Smoothies Recipes to Make on the Go
2.1. Idea 1: Creamy Sweet Potato Smoothie With Lingonberry Juice
2.2. Idea 2: Super-Fruity Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
2.3. Idea 3: Nutritiously Green Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
2.4. Idea 4: Delicious Chia Seed and Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
2.5. Idea 5: Energy-Boosting Oatmeal and Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
3. Promote Your Health With Lingonberry Juice
4. FAQ
4.1.What Does Lingonberry Juice Taste Like?
4.2. Is Lingonberry Juice Good For High Blood Pressure?
4.3. Does Lingonberry Juice Have Side Effects?
Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol around the body:
- LDL (low-density lipoprotein): LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to cells. Cholesterol helps with metabolic processes and the production of hormones. It’s also involved in other processes needed to keep your body functioning well.
- HDL (high-density lipoprotein): HDL transports excess LDL out of your arteries and back to the liver. The liver then flushes the excess out of your body.
High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood can cause problems with your cardiovascular and circulatory systems.
There are several reasons your LDL cholesterol can become high:
- A diet rich in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol-rich food. A few examples are animal fats, processed meat products, fatty meat, and fried foods.
- Physical inactivity.
- Age: As we get older, our cholesterol levels rise.
- Genetic conditions: You can get high cholesterol levels through genes.
- Excessive weight gain: A BMI of 30 and above puts you at risk of high cholesterol.
- Smoking: It reduces HDL levels.
But here’s the good news: lingonberry juice can keep your LDL cholesterol at a safe level.
Wild lingonberries are native to the Arctic tundra and are also known as cowberries, bearberries, or foxberries.
They are small red berries that resemble cranberries.
Lingonberries have a sweet and tart taste made stronger and better by the long days and cool temperatures in the Northern Arctic.
Lingonberry juice, made from wild lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), is rich in nutrients. It also contains compounds like quercetin and resveratrol that act as antioxidants.
Studies have proven lingonberries to be effective in preventing health problems associated with high levels of cholesterol.
The Effective Power of Lingonberries in Lowering Blood Cholesterol
Lingonberries Lower Cholesterol Levels in the Liver
Research conducted on mice showed the positive effects lingonberries have in preventing hepatic lipid accumulation.
Hepatic lipid accumulation is the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver. It can lead to fatty liver disease, which is the build-up of fat in your liver. A fatty liver can lead to more serious problems like inflammation and damage to the organ.
In the study, three groups of mice were fed three different diets:
- Low-fat diet
- High-fat diet
- A high-fat diet with 20% of the diet supplemented with lingonberries
Results indicated that the mice fed high-fat food and lingonberries had less liver cholesterol content than mice fed high-fat only.
Lingonberries Reduce Cholesterol That Causes Atherosclerosis
Another study indicated lingonberries reduce cholesterol levels caused by a high-fat diet.
Researchers fed three types of diets to three groups of mice for 8 weeks:
- A low-fat diet
- A high-fat diet
- A high-fat diet supplemented with 44% lingonberries
Compared to mice that were fed a high-fat diet only, mice that ate a diet high in fat with lingonberries had:
- Lower levels of cholesterol
- Less plaque on their artery walls
Plaque is the build-up of fats and cholesterol that cause the arteries to narrow. It blocks blood flow to your body’s organs and tissues.
This condition is known as atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis can affect any arteries in your body. Depending on the arteries affected, moderate to severe atherosclerosis can affect your quality of life.
| Body Arteries Affected | Symptoms |
| Heart arteries | Angina: Chest discomfort or pressure caused by restricted blood flow to the heart muscles. |
| Arms or legs | Discomfort, cold skin, and weak muscles in the affected limbs |
| Kidneys | Can cause kidney failure and high blood pressure |
| Brain | Sudden numbness or weakness in your limbs
Difficulty speaking Temporary blindness in one eye Drooping face muscles |
While it might not be possible to have lingonberries make up 20% or 44% of your daily food intake, lingonberry juice can still be a part of a healthy diet.
Regular consumption can reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol levels and resultant health problems.
5 Smoothies Recipes to Make on the Go
We recommend LOOV Organic Wild Lingonberry Juice.
It’s made with lingonberries handpicked from organic forests in Finland. The berries have a strong flavor that’s sure to give your smoothies a tart punch.
You don’t have to worry about added sugar and additives. The juice is cold-pressed from wild organic lingonberries and contains no sweeteners. It’s only lightly pasteurized to maintain the color and original flavor of the berries.
Our customers love the LOOV Organic Wild Lingonberry Juice, and hesitate to share their review.
This is a really great juice. I’m a huge fan of healthy foods and I’m happy I found this juice to add to my diet. It’s a little sour and slightly bitter but so refreshing and healthy. It’s just pure juice. I mix my new summer drink with this: Wild Lingonberry Juice, freshly squeezed orange juice and lots of ice cubes! Love it! -Stephanie
Idea 1: Creamy Sweet Potato Smoothie With Lingonberry Juice
This sweet potato smoothie is a nutrient-rich source of carbohydrates. Enjoy it as an excellent post-workout meal or as an energising drinkable breakfast.
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium. Potassium is effective in managing high blood pressure by reducing the effect of sodium on the body.
For this smoothie, you’ll need:
- 1 large mashed sweet potato (cooked)
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of almond butter
- 2 teaspoons of lingonberry juice
- Maple syrup or any sweetener of your choice
For this recipe, it’s best to use steamed sweet potatoes. They blend smoothly, whereas baked or roasted sweet potatoes can have a more fibrous texture.
Blend all the ingredients until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed.
Idea 2: Super-Fruity Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
Looking for a nutritious after-school snack? This smoothie will nourish your family with the wholesome goodness of fruits.
This blend of fruits has anti-inflammatory effects. It also regulates blood pressure and lowers the risk of heart disease.
Get these ingredients ready:
- 1 apple
- 3 plums
- ½ cup of frozen blueberries
- 2 teaspoons of lingonberry juice
- 1 cup of low-fat plain yogurt
- 4 dates
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
In this recipe, the dates are the only sweetener you’ll need.
To make your smoothie:
1. Thaw the frozen blueberries in a bowl of water.
2. Remove the core of the apple and chop.
3. Remove the pits from the plums and dates.
4. Blend all the ingredients until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add crushed ice cubes and continue blending.
Idea 3: Nutritious Green Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
This smoothie is a blend of fats, fruits, spices, and leafy greens. It carries antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting effects.
The avocado is great for your heart and contains monounsaturated fat that lowers cholesterol levels in your body.
Prepare:
- 2 cups of baby spinach
- ½ ripe avocado
- ½ lime, juiced
- 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 mango, diced
- 2 teaspoons of lingonberry juice
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
To make the smoothie:
1. Add the baby spinach, coconut milk, lime juice, and lingonberry juice to the blender. Blend until there are no chewy greens left.
2. Add the avocado, mango, and cinnamon to the mixture and blend until smooth.
Idea 4: Delicious Chia Seed and Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and a complete source of protein. Like lingonberries, their fibre is effective in lowering LDL cholesterol.
The ginger in this smoothie will also promote your heart’s health.
You will need:
- 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk or low-fat dairy milk
- 2 teaspoons of lingonberry juice
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ cup of fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until completely smooth.
Idea 5: Energy-Boosting Oatmeal and Lingonberry Juice Smoothie
Kick start your days with this healthy fibre-filled breakfast smoothie.
Oats are a great source of healthy carbs and contain a fibre known as beta-glucan. Beta-glucan has proven to lower bad cholesterol.
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
- ½ cup of overnight oats
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1 banana to sweeten the smoothie
- 2 teaspoons of lingonberry juice
- 2 tablespoons of ground peanuts
Blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Promote Your Health With Lingonberry Juice
There you have it, five easy smoothies to enjoy lingonberry juice daily and keep your cholesterol levels at a healthy level.
As a plus, you get to enjoy the many health benefits LOOV Food’s Organic Wild Nordic Lingonberries offer:
- A source of vitamin E, potassium, and dietary fiber.
- Fat-free and help with weight management.
- Rich in antioxidants. Lingonberries have a higher antioxidant capacity than cranberries and blueberries.
- Help control blood sugar levels.
Start and end each day with the nourishment of organic wild lingonberry juice. Enjoy it with your mocktails, cocktails, puddings, or sip it diluted or straight.
FAQ
What Does Lingonberry Juice Taste Like?
Organic lingonberry juice is tart with a touch of sweetness, close to the taste of cranberries. LOOV Food’s Organic Wild Lingonberry juice doesn’t contain any added sugar or water. It has a strong, genuine taste. The juice also has a lot of pulp because it’s unfiltered.
Is Lingonberry Juice Good for High Blood Pressure?
Yes. Long-term consumption of lingonberry juice is effective in lowering blood pressure. The high polyphenol content in lingonberries also improves the function of blood vessels.
Does Lingonberry Juice Have Side Effects?
Lingonberry juice is safe when taken by mouth. Even so, lingonberries contain tannins. Tannins are plant polyphenols responsible for the berries’ tart taste. Overconsumption of tannins can have negative side effects on some people. Symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach irritation
These side effects can occur when you drink excessive amounts of lingonberry juice in one serving. But when consumed in moderate amounts, tannins in lingonberries carry antimalignancy and microorganism-fighting activity.
