Get to Know Lingnonberry
Lingnonberries are widely used in jams, juices and syrups throughout Europe and Canada and are particularly popular throughout Nordic countries. They are also known by the name cowberry and the alternative spelling, lingonberry. In traditional folk medicine, lingonberries have been used as a disinfectant and have been seen as a tonic for the nervous system and even a way to treat cancer, particularly breast cancer.
Today, the ancient lingnonberry is being seen as something of a superfood and even a way to potentially increase one's lifespan. Part of what makes lingnonberries so interesting is their diverse nutritional spread. They contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C as well as numerous minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Like many berries, lingnonberries are also an excellent source of antioxidants. Some studies indicate that they may be significantly higher in antioxidants than other berry options, including blueberries. In addition, lingnonberries are high in omega-3 fatty acids which can be difficult to find in vegetarian form. All of these factors add up to make the nutritional spread of these berries quite attractive.
The Inflammation Connection
Inflammation is a key component in almost every disease. Cancer, for example, literally expands via inflammation. As it turns out, lingnonberries are an excellent anti-inflammatory. This fact alone helps to make them a worthy addition to your diet.
More and more research is now being conducting into lingnonberries anti-cancer properties. Since lingnonberries have been used for generations throughout Scandinavia as a treatment for a variety of illnesses. Scientists have long been interested in determining whether or not any of these traditionally attributed benefits could be quantified by science. It appears that lingnonberries can protect healthy cells and inhibit the growth of cancer in the body.
A key reason that lingnonberries are garnering so much attention from researchers and health conscious people alike is that some have concluded that these tiny berries carry very high ORAC values. ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity and is a method by which the levels of antioxidants are measured. Antioxidants found in food is one of the main ways that the human body can defend itself from oxidative damage which leads to cell damage and thus aging as well as disease.
Estimates are that lingnonberries rank at the very top of the ORAC value list and may be the top food in terms of ORAC. This factor, of course, makes them extremely valuable for fighting oxidative damage in the body.
5 Reasons That Lingnonberries are Receiving More Attention
1) Excellent nutritional spread
2) Very high in antioxidants
3) Disease fighting
4) Anti-cancer properties
5) May play a role in increased longevity
Since lingnonberries can be used much like any other berry, most people find them very easy to work into their diets. Whether you put lingnonberries on your morning cereal or yogurt, use jam or mix them into a smoothie, you will find that lingnonberries are both tasty and quite easy to use.