Lingonberries (also known as cowberry, bearberry or foxberry) are small, red berries that taste like cranberries. Organic Lingonberries have been hailed as a superfood. This is because they are jam-packed with antioxidants and other vital nutrients.
Wild Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) grow best in arid, semi-arid and mesic organic forests. Unlike other cultivated berries, these wild berries benefit from long days in the sun and rich soils that are found in the Arctic tundra.
Table of Contents
1. Lingonberries Reduce Blood Pressure
1.1. The Effects of High Blood Pressure on the Body
1.2. Study 1: The Effect of Lingonberries on High Blood Pressure
2. Lingonberries Reduce Free Radical Cell Damage
2.1. The Effects of Free Radicals on the Heart
2.2. Study 2: The Effect of Lingonberries on Free Radicals
3. Lingonberries Reduce the Amount of Cholesterol in the Body
3.1. Effects of Cholesterol on the Heart
3.2. Study 3: The Effects of Lingonberries on Cholesterol Levels in the Body
4. The Best Wild, Organic Lingonberries
4.1. Freeze-Dried Organic Whole Wild Lingonberries
4.2. Freeze-Dried Organic Wild Lingonberry Powder
Lingonberries are loved all over the world for their tart taste and nutrient profile. They can be added to juice, jams, purées, jellies and porridges.
The cultivation of Lingonberries started in the 1960s in the United States and other regions that have the same climate. Cultivated lingonberries lack a strong flavour and aren’t as rich in nutrients as wild lingonberries.
The health benefits of lingonberries are diverse and much research has been conducted to prove this. Of particular interest has been the effect of lingonberries on the heart and circulatory system.
In this blog, we will look at research that was done on the effect of lingonberries on the heart.
Lingonberries Reduce Blood Pressure
The Effects of High Blood Pressure on the Body
Many high blood pressure sufferers end up with complications related to the long term effects of elevated blood pressures on their organs. If high blood pressure is uncontrolled it can damage the heart, arteries, brain, kidneys, eyes and reproductive system.
Damage to the heart can result in:
- Coronary heart disease — Arteries that supply the heart can become damaged. When the heart fails to receive enough oxygen, it can cause angina (chest discomfort), arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), or a cardiovascular incident.
- An overgrown heart — When the heart has to work harder, the muscle grows, but in so doing it becomes weaker. Thickened heart muscle can lead to a cardiovascular event, heart failure and cardiac arrest.
- Heart failure — Continuous overworking of the muscles of the heart makes the heart weaker. Over time, the heart becomes overwhelmed.
Study 1: The Effect of Lingonberries on High Blood Pressure
For many years it has been known that diet has a big effect on the development and progression of high blood pressure. A recent study showed that continuous intake of lingonberries resulted in a decrease in blood pressure over time.
Lingonberries were administered to rats with a genetic predisposition to high blood pressure. After 8–10 weeks, the rats had significantly reduced blood pressure. Blood vessels that had been damaged by high blood pressures had improved function as well.
Lingonberries are rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols have high antioxidant activity and cause the body to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to expand, leading to a reduction in total blood pressure.
When the blood pressure in the body goes down, this causes less strain on the heart. If the heart doesn’t have to work as much, there will be fewer chances of damage to it in the long run.
In the same study, it was found that lingonberry juice reduced the expression of genes that caused inflammation in the aorta. Other berries that were being studied did not have a comparable effect.
Lingonberry juice cannot be used as a substitute for medication used to manage high blood pressure, but it is a useful supplement that can help improve heart health.Lingonberries Reduce Free Radical Cell Damage
The Effects of Free Radicals on the Heart
Free radicals cause progressive damage to the heart. Uncontrolled free radical damage to the heart can result in:
- Catecholamine induced cardiomyopathy — Catecholamines are produced by the body during times of stress. This study showed that free radicals increased catecholamine-induced stress in patients that resulted in cardiomyopathy.
- Heart overgrowth and heart failure — Free radicals cause extra stress on the heart, which makes the heart overwork. In response to the extra stress, the heart muscle starts to overgrow, but weakens as a result. A chronically weakened heart eventually fails because it cannot meet the demands of the body.
Study 2: The Effect of Lingonberries on Free Radicals
Antioxidants essentially ‘mop up’ many types of free radicals that can cause oxidative damage and prevent future damage to the heart.
A study on the antioxidant properties of different berries revealed that lingonberries had the highest antioxidant properties compared to other berries. This was attributed to the high concentration of anthocyanins that are found in lingonberries.
Lingonberries were shown to have a protective effect on the hearts of obese patients. This effect was marked in patients that ate lingonberries throughout the whole year.
There were protective effects regardless of the form of lingonberries. Fresh, frozen, and dried lingonberries have significant antioxidant properties. Dried lingonberries have the highest levels of antioxidants because they are more concentrated.
In comparison to other berries, dried lingonberries had five times higher antioxidant properties when compared to other berry products.
Lingonberries Reduce the Amount of Cholesterol in the Body
Cholesterol is a type of fat that helps the body to insulate nerve cells, produce certain types of hormones, and build new cells. There are two main types of cholesterol, namely HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
Even though it is essential to good health, too much cholesterol can build up in the body and lead to bad effects on the heart.
Effects of Cholesterol on the Heart
It is widely known that cholesterol can build up in the arteries that provide blood to the heart and occlude them. This build-up is called ‘plaque’. LDL, in particular, has been shown to have the highest occlusive effects.
When blood flow to the heart is reduced because of blockage, this can lead to the following:
- Angina — This is a type of chest discomfort that is caused by reduced blood flow to heart muscles. Most patients describe it as a squeezing sensation or heaviness and tightness of the chest. Angina is mostly linked to high levels of LDL cholesterol due to a high-fat diet.
- A cardiovascular event — This is what happens when blood flow to the heart is completely blocked. The muscle is deprived of oxygen, and if this happens for a significant amount of time, parts of the heart muscle die.
Study 3: The Effects of Lingonberries on Cholesterol Levels in the Body
A recent study showed that lingonberries reduced the amount of cholesterol in mice that were given a high-fat diet. The reduction was not limited to cholesterol alone; triglycerides were also reduced, leading to better heart health.
Lingonberries can also prevent excessive weight gain and help people to maintain a healthy weight. Excessive weight leads to an added strain on the heart, and this can lead to other heart-related problems.
The Best Wild Organic Lingonberries
Wild lingonberries are full of unique flavours and packed with nutritious value. If you are looking for the best organic wild lingonberries, search no more. At LOOV Food, we have Freeze-Dried Organic Wild Lingonberries and Freeze-Dried Organic Wild Lingonberry Powder.
Freeze-Dried Organic Whole Wild Lingonberries
These are handpicked organic lingonberries that are sourced from certified forests in Europe. To preserve them in their natural form, these lingonberries are minimally processed. They do not have added sugar, preservatives, fillers or synthetic ingredients.
Our lingonberries are wild, so they have higher levels of procyanidin, quercetin and resveratrol when compared to cultivated lingonberries.
So, when you buy these, you and your family can enjoy all the yummy goodness of lingonberries and benefit from all the nutrients that these lingonberries have.
Did you know that freeze-drying lingonberries is the best way to preserve lingonberries’ taste, colour and nutrients?
You can be assured that you are getting the best. We go a step further to test our lingonberries in the lab and have proven that these lingonberries are high in polyphenols, antioxidants and phytonutrients.
Freeze-Dried Organic Wild Lingonberry Powder
The Freeze-Dried Organic Wild Lingonberry Powder is perfect for people on the go that want to add lingonberry to their diet. This powder is made from organic wild lingonberries that are picked from organic forests in Finland.
These organic forests have long sunny days and cool temperatures that result in our lingonberries having a strong flavour.
Incorporating this powder into your diet is easy. You can add it to your yoghurt, desserts or porridge.
Unlike fresh lingonberries that are only in season for a couple of months, you can enjoy freeze-dried lingonberries all year long, and your heart will be better for it.
Lingonberries protect the heart in so many ways. If you are ready to start having more lingonberries, get some today!
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