Lingonberry Extract Demonstrates Antioxidant Capacity

The red Nordic lingonberry is closely related to the European cranberry, and previous studies have shown it is a potent source of phytonutrients such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Lingonberry extract contains procyanidins B1, B2, and A2, other flavanol oligomers, as well as large concentrations of aglycones for ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin. French researchers administered of 23 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of lingonberry extract to laboratory rats.  Observing that the extract prevented a decrease in levels of glutathione, an important co-factor in glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme, the team reported that:  “Supplementation with lingonberry extract significantly decreased the total oxidant status and favorably affected antioxidant defense enzymes in red blood cells and liver.”