Review Not peer-reviewed version
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)
Health Effects – a Review of In Vitro and
In Vivo Human Studies
Pirjo Pärnänen * , Sari Niikko , Hanna Lähteenmäki , Ismo Tapani Räisänen , Taina Tervahartiala , Timo Sorsa ,
Annamari Ranki
Posted Date: 29 July 2024
doi: 10.20944/preprints202407.2217.v1
Keywords: lingonberries, polyphenols, oral microbiome, Lactobacilli
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Review
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Health Effects
– A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Human Studies
Pirjo Pärnänen 1,*, Sari Niikko 2, Hanna Lähteenmäki 3, Ismo Räisänen 1, Taina Tervahartiala 1,
Timo Sorsa 1,4 and Annamari Ranki 5,†
1 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki/HUS
2 Dental clinic Miun Paikka, Joensuu
3 Dental clinic Kruunu, Tampere
4 Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
5 Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases, University of Helsinki/HUS
* Correspondence: [email protected]
† This author has passed away.
Abstract: This review examines the effects of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) on general and
oral health. The effects of lingonberry are based on the vitamins, minerals, fibers and polyphenolic
compounds it contains. Lingonberry's bioactive substances have a diverse range of antimicrobial,
anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. Research results
suggest that lingonberries can have a positive effect on human health. Berries, lingonberry
juice/lingonberry nectar/fermented lingonberry juice and polyphenol fractions have been used in
clinical studies. Lingonberries balance post-meal blood sugar, free fatty acids and insulin levels.
Fermented lingonberry juice reduces Streptococcus mutans, Candida and periodontal pathogen
counts, but is probiotic because it favors growth of Lactobacilli. In addition, it increases saliva
secretion and thus lowers the risk of oral infections. It lowers the clinical parameters of periodontitis
and the active matrix metalloprotease-8, reducing the low-grade inflammation associated with
periodontal diseases. More studies on humans are needed.
Keywords: lingonberries; polyphenols; oral microbiome; Lactobacilli
Generalized resistance to antibiotics increases the pressure to find new effective and safe
substances from natural plants. Natural substances and their potential molecules for the treatment of
diseases can be effectively mapped with current techniques and the most suitable ones can be selected
for further development. Lingonberries have a versatile spectrum of antimicrobial, anti-
inflammatory, antiproteolytic , anticarcinogenic and antioxidant effects. The effects of lingonberries
are based on the vitamins, minerals, fibers and phenolic compounds they contain. Most of the
lingonberry studies have been done with animal experiments, which only give indications of possible
effects in humans. A problem in interpreting the research results of clinical human trials has been the
fact that berry mixtures have often been used, and thus it has been impossible to determine the effects
of lingonberries alone.
This review presents the effects of lingonberry berries, fractions isolated from them in the
laboratory, lingonberry juice, lingonberry nectar, lingonberry puree and fermented lingonberry juice
on general and oral health and disease prevention, based on the research data accumulated so far on
humans and human cells. The interpretation of the results of the studies is complicated by the
different isolation methods and concentration of the phenolic substances in the berry fractions, which
affect the potency. Web of Science/ Pubmed database searches have been made with the following
keywords and their combinations: > Vaccinium vitis- idaea L.> (910/112) > lingonberry > (501/376) >
lingonberry fruit > cowberry > cowberries > cowberry fruit > lingonberry juice > fermented
lingonberry juice> lingonberry extract > lingonberry fraction > clinical trial> general health > oral >
© 2024 by the author(s). Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY license.
Preprints.org (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 29 July 2024 doi:10.20944/preprints202407.2217.v1
human > cell > in vitro > in vivo > candidiasis , excluding studies with lingonberry leaves or berry
mixtures.
Composition of Lingonberries
The composition of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) berries has been mapped in numerous
studies. The main groups of phenolic substances in lingonberries are flavonoids [anthocyanins,
flavonols (quercetin), flavanols (catechins) and phenolic polymers (proanthocyanidins)], phenolic
acids, lignans, and stilbenes (resveratrol) [1]. In addition, lingonberries contain e.g. A, C and E
vitamins and minerals that participate in antioxidant reactions, as well as plenty of natural sugars
(mainly glucose, fructose and sucrose) 8.2 g/100 g. The profile of lingonberry anthocyanins differs
from its close relatives, such as the blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccus
L., Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) compositions. Lingonberries contain more than 9000 compounds, of
which more than 900 are characteristic to lingonberry, especially cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-
arabinoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside [1]. Lingonberries have approximately four times more
proanthocyanidins than cranberries. Processing of lingonberries, for example by heating or using
different extraction methods of the fractions, causes changes in its composition, which can reduce the
antimicrobial effect.
Absorption and Excretion of Lingonberry Polyphenols
The polyphenolic compounds of the lingonberries are fermented by intestinal bacteria (possible
prebiotic effect) and excreted in the urine as metabolites. The cyanidin-3-galactoside and its
metabolites from whole lingonberry berries are excreted in the urine within 4–12 hours [2].
Polyphenols isolated from lingonberries by extraction are metabolized in the large intestine by
intestinal bacteria, but retain their activity [3]. According to a study with CaCo-2 cells, the ethanol
extract of the lingonberry berries do not significantly affect the absorption of well-absorbed drugs
[4].
Effects on General Health and Disease Prevention
Polyphenolic substances have been found to have a protective effect against many aging-related
diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, asthma, damage caused by UV radiation, overweight,
diabetes and neurodegeneration [5]. Wild berries have their characteristic polyphenol composition
[6]. Polyphenols neutralize oxygen radicals and eating enough vegetables and fruits has been found
to prevent the occurrence of aging diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer by preventing
the oxidation of DNA, proteins and lipids in the body [7]. Anthocyanidins play an important role in
protecting cells from damage caused by oxidation.
In Vitro Studies
Antioxidant Effects
Lingonberry cyanidin-3-galactoside acts as the main antioxidant [6,8] and lingonberries have a
better antioxidant effect than blueberries, cranberries, raspberries or strawberries [8]. Lingonberry
catechins and procyanidins inhibit the oxidation of human LDL in vitro [9].
Cancer Cell Studies
The juice squeezed from lingonberries has been found to inhibit the growth of human leukemia
cells HL60 by inducing apoptosis, partly based on the antioxidant effect [8]. Fermented lingonberry
juice inhibits the growth and infiltration of aggressive human tongue epithelial carcinoma cells (HSC-
3, SCC-25) [10]. Lingonberry ethanol extract (anthocyanins) has an inhibitory effect on the growth of
human estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells (MCF-7, ATCC) and human colon cancer cells
(HT29, ATCC) [11]. The proliferation of human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and human colon cancer
cells (CaCo-2) is inhibited by proanthocyanidins type A and B of lingonberry [12]. Lingonberry
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methanol extract inhibits the proliferation of HT-29 and hepatocellular carcinoma cells HEPG2 [13].
The proanthocyanidin fraction of lingonberry induces apoptosis of SW480 (primary) and SW620
(metastatic) colon cancer cells [14]. Human malignant melanoma (IGR39, colon adenocarcinoma (HT-
29), and human renal cell carcinoma (CaKi-1) cells lose their viability with A-type dimers with
proanthocyanidins and quercetin [15}.
Effects on the Liver, Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation, Overweight and Diabetes Risk
Liver α-amylase and α- glucosidase are inhibited and liver glucose uptake is improved by
lingonberry extract in human HepG2 cells [16]. This may be important in preventing overweight and
diabetes. Lingonberry polyphenols prevent inflammation caused by obesity-related hypertrophic fat
cells and endothelial cell dysfunction in human 3T3-L1 fat cells and HUVEC placental endothelial
cells [17]. Glycosylation - end products (Advanced Glycosylation End products, AGE) cause
complications. Lingonberry ethanol extract prevents this [18]. Lingonberry extract inhibits the
pancreatic digestive enzyme lipase, which breaks down triglycerides in the intestines, causing their
absorption into the bloodstream to deteriorate. This prevents the development of excess weight.
Proanthocyanidins, kaempferol and resveratrol change the macrophages of fat cells into an anti-
inflammatory form, reducing the expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha cytokines, reducing the adverse
effects of obesity-related low-grade inflammation, and activating the transcription factor STAT6,
affecting gene expression [19].
Antimicrobial Effects
According to numerous studies, lingonberry has antimicrobial (bacteria, yeasts and viruses)
effects. Most microbes are able to use their enzymes to modify the host's proteins or structures, or to
secrete proteins that modulate the virulence of other microbes, influencing the host's immunological
response against pathogens. A dysbiotic microbiome can predispose to disease. Probiotics may
prevent the course of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases by
improving the dysbiotic gut microbiome [20] and the symptoms of asthma, allergy and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through immunomodulation [21].
Lingonberries inhibit the growth of Salmonella, Escherichia coli and staphylococcal bacteria
[22,23]. Anthocyanin and anthocyanidin fractions inhibit Neisseria meningitis - adhesion of
meningococcal bacteria to human HEC-1B epithelial cells [24]. Lingonberry fractions inhibit biofilm
formation of S. mutans, S. sobrinus and S. sanguinis bacteria [25]. The effects of fermented lingonberry
juice have been studied on oral microbes: C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C.
tropicalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, S. mutans, S.
sanguinis, S. salivarius and lactobacilli. Fermented lingonberry juice inhibits the growth of yeasts,
periodontal pathogens and streptococci [26], but not lactobacilli. Lactobacilli are considered to be
probiotic and health promoting. Laboratory experiments have shown the ability of C. glabrata cell
wall-bound proteases to activate and process pro- matrix metalloprotease-8 (pro-MMP-8) to its active
form (aMMP-8) – this MMP-8 activation is inhibited by fermented lingonberry juice [26]. Lingonberry
phenolic compounds have also been found to have antiviral properties and inhibit the replication of
influenza A and Coxsackie B1 enteroviruses [27].
Clinical Trials
General Health and Disease Prevention
When consumed together with sucrose, lingonberries or lingonberry nectar prevent the rise in
postprandial glucose and insulin levels and hypoglycemia, as well as the rise in free fatty acids [28].
The effects are due to the slower breakdown and absorption of sucrose. With light or dark bread, the
glucose response was weaker [29]. This is thought to be due to the weaker inhibition of pancreatic
alpha-amylase by phenols compared to alpha- glucose oxidase (specific for sucrose).
There is no clinical evidence of the effects of lingonberry in the prevention of urinary tract
infection, but lingonberries contain more dimeric and trimeric proanthocyanidins of type A than
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cranberry [V. oxycoccus (European variety)] or V. macrocarpon [North American variety] [30]. These
A-type proanthocyanidins are thought to be the most important inhibitors of bacterial adhesion.
Oral Effects
Dry mouth caused by drugs, cytostatic and radiation therapy, broad-spectrum antibiotics, aging,
ill-fitting prostheses or weakened immunity caused by disease exposes the oral microbiome to
changes, such as yeast infection. Reduced salivation weakens the protective effect on the teeth, gums
and mucous membranes, which also changes the thickness and composition of the biofilm. Although
natural berries are beneficial for health, in addition to active substances, they also contain a lot of
natural sugars, such as glucose, fructose and sucrose.
The effect of lingonberry on the mouth has been studied very little. There are six oral clinical
studies on humans in the literature [31–36], one of which was conducted with lingonberry juice and
five with fermented lingonberry juice.
Chronic mucocutaneous 2 ½-year remission of yeast symptoms in an APECED patient with
candidiasis without yeast medication was achieved using a fermented lingonberry juice as a
mouthwash supplement in oral self-care [31]. Pale, thick deposits on the mucous membrane of the
mouth, which resembled a Candida infection, have been studied in infants under 12 months of age
[32]. Four children out of 32 had mucosal changes, one of which was confirmed to have C. parapsilosis
by cultivation. Lingonberry juice was compared to lemon juice and soda water administered as drops
in the mouth when a change appeared, and follow-up took place after two weeks by calling nursing
mothers from the clinic. It was found that acidity alone did not remove the appearance of oral thrush
in three children, and their etiology remained unclear.
Fermented lingonberry juice increases saliva secretion, lowers Streptococcus mutans and Candida
- yeasts, is prebiotic by increasing the amount of lactic acid bacteria, lowers the risk of caries, reduces
the amount of plaque and gingivitis. It has a positive effect on the clinical parameters of periodontitis,
lowering the levels of active matrix metalloprotease-8 (aMMP-8) in the oral fluid, as well as reducing
the low-grade inflammation associated with periodontal diseases, and due to its safety, it is well
suited to support oral self-care. Lingonberry mouthwash enhances tooth brushing, maintenance of
oral hygiene and contributes to the control of plaque [33–36,38]. Fermented lingonberry mouthwash
has been developed for safe oral use: the sugars have been reduced to a fraction using a patented
method. Reducing sugars is essential because oral microbes such as Candida yeasts and streptococci
use sugars for food.
Effects of Fermented Lingonberry Juice on Oral Microbes
Old age and mouth-drying drugs affect the number of oral microbes: a dry mouth predisposes
to caries, which can be seen in the results of S. mutans smears as high values (Figure 1A). After using
the mouthwash, the levels of S. mutans decrease significantly and the effect remains even afterwards
(6 months) after the use of the mouthwash is stopped [33]. Oral Candida -yeast levels decrease
significantly during the use of fermented lingonberry mouthwash (Figure 1B) and it is also effective
against non- Candida albicans species such as C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. The number of lactobacilli
increase during mouthwash use (Figure 1C). The changes in the amounts of S. mutans, Candida yeasts
and lactobacilli remain long after the use of the mouthwash is stopped (36). The development of
gingivitis, periodontitis, implant mucositis and peri- implantitis is a multifaceted process, in which
home care of the mouth and regular professional cleaning of the mouth are of central importance,
especially in the prevention and maintenance of the diseases concerned. Fermented lingonberry
mouthwash significantly reduces periodontitis- related bleeding -on- probing (BOP) - and visible
plaque index (VPI) indices [33,35,36]. Figure 1D shows the clear growth-limiting effect of mouthwash
on anaerobic bacteria in a clinical trial [33].
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Figure 1. A. Streptococcus mutans - cultivation on MSB plate. Initial sample (left) and growth inhibition
after 2 weeks of using fermented lingonberry mouthwash (10 ml burst 2 times a day), and final sample
2 weeks after the end of use (right). B. Candida - cultures on SDA plates. Initial sample (left), growth
inhibition after 2 weeks of using fermented lingonberry mouthwash (middle, 10 ml ½ min burst 2
times a day) and final sample 2 weeks after the end of use (right). C. Plating of lactobacilli. The initial
sample (left) and the increase in growth after 2 weeks of using fermented lingonberry mouthwash (10
ml ½ min burst 2 times a day), and the final sample 2 weeks after the end of use (right). D. Growth of
anaerobic oral bacteria on Brucella blood agar (initial sample on the left) and inhibition of growth
after 2 weeks of lingonberry mouthwash (10 ml mouthwash 2 times a day, right image) (33).
Fermented lingonberry juice significantly increases saliva secretion and improves the buffer
capacity of saliva, but does not lower saliva pH, reduces the sensation of dry mouth, and significantly
reduces Candida - yeasts and Streptococcus mutans bacteria. The amount of caries, low-grade
inflammation of attachment tissues, gingival bleeding and the amount of plaque also decreases
significantly [33,35,36]. Caries risk can be assessed using a cariogram (Cariogram, Version 3.00) [37].
The effect of different components on caries risk (36) can be seen in Figure 2. The average data of the
patient material (n= 25) on different parameters from the time points 0, 6 and 12 months have been
entered into the cariogram program; the effect of the fermented lingonberry mouthwash can be seen
in the reduction of caries risk (0–6 months) and the preservation of this caries protection for 6–12
months. Low-grade inflammation of the attachment tissues can be monitored by measuring the
concentration of active matrix metalloprotease-8 (aMMP-8) in a mouthwash sample [38]. Fermented
lingonberry juice reduces low-grade inflammation and is anti-inflammatory [35,36,39]. aMMP-8
levels can also be measured when investigating the level of low-grade inflammation in common
diseases, such as pre-diabetes screenings at the dentist's office [40], and COVID-19 as a risk disease
[41].
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Figure 2. Cariograms of the participants (n= 25) in the study (36) at 0, 6 and 12 months. The average
values of the oral variables have been used in the caries risk analysis of the kariogram program (33)
(the picture is a combination of the results given by the program at 0, 6 and 12 months). The green
sector reflects the possibility of avoiding new caries. Dental fluoridation was performed at the
reception at 0, 6 and 12 months. The participants were classified into a high caries risk group due to
their high average age, medications and illnesses. Their diet or oral self-care was not addressed in the
studies.
Summary
Based on the literature, lingonberries have a versatile, beneficial effect on general health and oral
health. Particularly fermented foods have been found to be anti-inflammatory. Based on various
studies, lingonberries may have a beneficial antioxidant effect in cardiovascular disease, chronic
inflammation, obesity and diabetes, as well as inhibition of the growth of oral and intestinal microbes.
They may also prevent the growth or invasion of cancer cells. Based on in vivo studies, lingonberries
have been found to have a stabilizing effect on blood sugar, insulin secretion and post-meal levels of
free fatty acids. In the oral area, the increase in saliva secretion and the buffer capacity of saliva, the
inhibition of the growth of opportunistic microbes, the reduction of low-grade inflammation and the
reduction of plaque and gingival bleeding with fermented lingonberry juice have been found to
reduce the risk of gum disease and caries. However, more clinical studies are needed to provide
evidence of the versatile, beneficial effects of lingonberry phenolic substances on health.
Author Contributions: All authors contributed to the writing and reviewing of this manuscript.
Funding: This research has been funded by Helsinki Research Foundation TYH2022225.
Acknowledgments: We dedicate this article to the memory of professor, senior physician Annamari Ranki, who
passed away during our study of fermented lingonberry juice mouthwash in APECED patients (31).
Conflicts of Interest: The funder had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or
interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.
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