Friday, January 24, 2014

Keep your eye on the Berry. Lingonberry that is #GardenCuizine

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Vaccinium_vitis-idaea_20060824_003.jpg
Lingonberries in the News

Today a report in MNT news highlights the possible obesity prevention benefits by eating Lingonberries. Have you ever heard of them? I didn't. Lingonberries are popular throughout Scandinavia.

Edible Lingonberries - also called cowberries, foxberry, alpine cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) - grow on low (6 to 12-inch) evergreen shrubs throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The plants prefer moist, acidic soil.

People in Sweden eat Lingonberries like we eat blueberries. Tart Lingonberries are often used in sweet jams, scones, pies and berry condiments. Of course, if you want to eat them to possibly prevent weight gain, it is best to enjoy them in protein smoothies or lower sugar culinary creations.

Animal studies have shown Lingonberries to have anti-inflammatory properties. In a recent study published yesterday at Lund University, in Sweden, the berries completely prevented weight gain in mice fed a high fat diet. Their study showed the berries to be high in polyphenols. 

Like most berries, Lingonberries contain vitamin C and antioxidants. With such positive press about Lingonberry health benefits perhaps we'll see more research and maybe even find them in US produce markets in the future. Keep your eyes open for Lingonberries!

Related Links
MNT Lingonberries 
Lingonberries Halt Effect of High-fat Diet
The Mighty Lingonberry
Blog post Copyright (C) Wind. All rights reserved. Photo taken by Bergsten in Sweden, courtesy of Wikipedia

No comments: