Lingonberry Extract Is Impressive Antioxidant

Lingonberry Extract Demonstrates Impressive Antioxidant Activity

High-Potency Antioxidants, Carotenoids and
Phytonutrients From Superfruits & Berries Are
Now Recognized For Building The Immune System,
Weight Management, According To New Research

An extract from the red Nordic lingonberry may
increase the body's total antioxidant status and boost
antioxidant defense enzymes, says new data.

According to data from experiments with laboratory
subjects, a dose of 23 milligrams per kilogram of body
weight was sufficient to prevent a decrease in levels of

beneficial glutathione, a non-essential nutrient and
co-factor in the antioxidant enzyme glutathione
peroxidase.

The study, using Chr Hansen's food-grade lingonberry
extract (Vaccinium vitisidaea), provides scientific support
to the ingredient.

Researchers from Chr Hansen, UMR408 INRA
(University of Avignon) France and Avantage Nutrition in

Marseilles report their fidings in a paper published online

ahead of print in the Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry.

Chr Hansen introduced the nutrititive ingredient globally
in 2008 of the Nordic red berry as part of its berry extract
range that includes cranberry, bilberry, blackberry,

blackcurrant, lutein and lycopene.

The lingonberry is commonly consumed in Nordic
countries in the format of a juice or a food ingredient,
but is relatively used of outside of Scandinavia.

Like most superfruits, the lingonberry has elevated levels
of phytonutrients such as flavonoids and phenolic acids.
It is being marketed on its heart health, immunity and

anti-aging benefits as well as urinary tract infection (UTI).

Study Details

Before testing the ingredient, the researchers
characterized the polyphenolic content. Results showed
that the extract contained procyanidins B1, B2, and A2,

along with other flavanol oligomers. The researchers
also noted large concentrations of aglycones for ferulic
acid, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin.

The main anthocyanin was confirmed as cyanidin-
3-O-galactoside, while "ten anthocyanins detected in
the processed extract were characterized for the first
time in lingonberry", they added. These included
"3-O-Galactoside derivatives of peonidin and malvidin,

respectively", they said.

For the study, the researchers divided subjects into
five groups: The first group received a cholesterol-free,
low-fat diet (control group); the second group received
a diet high in fat and cholesterol only, while the other
groups received the same high-fat, cholesterol diet
with supplemental doses of lingonberry of 41.7, 83.3,
and 250 mg per 100 grams of diet.

"As compared with high-fat and cholesterol only diet,
the diets enriched with lingonberry extract exhibit a
significant antioxidant protective effect and total

antioxidant status is lowered by 25 percent whatever
the dosage," reported the researchers.

"Although not statistically different, the total oxidant
status is 13 percent lower in the subjects consuming
diets the lingonberry-supplemented diets compared
to the low-fat control diet," they added.

In terms of antioxidant effect in vivo, the researchers
noted that all the doses of lingonberry used promoted
the apparent antioxidant protective effects, with the

optimal promotion observed for the intermediate dose.

"From this study, the use of lingonberry extract as a
dietary supplement may be considered in the future to

improve the antioxidant activity in human health while

minimizing the active volume to be ingested compared
to berries," they concluded.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

(Published online)

"Food Grade Lingonberry Extract: Polyphenolic
Composition and In Vivo Protective Effect Against
Oxidative Stress"

Editor's Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice,

diagnosis or treatment.