Little berry is becoming a promising new ‘super’ food
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OTTAWA – It could be the next rising star in ‘super foods’. It comes in the form of a berry which is well known in parts of Europe, but can also be grown in Canada. Some people may have heard their grandmothers talk about it.
Researchers with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are setting the stage for the introduction of Lingonberries to a broader market and see the berry as being possibly offering healthy benefits.
Small, tart and slightly sweet, lingonberries are closely related to the blueberries and cranberries, which are also high in anti-oxidants. Preliminary studies in Sweden suggest there is potential to help prevent weight gain, and to help prevent high sugar and cholesterol levels.
The little berry’s benefits don’t end there. Dr. Chris Siow, Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and principal investigator with the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM), has done research showing that lingonberries may also contribute to healthy kidneys.
Other research across the country has made other discoveries about the berry:
— Lingonberries contain more anthocyanins, the pigments that give them their red colour, per gram than most commonly consumed berries (i.e., blueberries, cranberries). It is these compounds that may provide health benefits.
— Lingonberries are rich in vitamins and minerals.
— Lingonberries can be found growing wild in the northern regions of Canada. Research shows that the lingonberries grown in Northern Manitoba contain the highest levels of antioxidants.
Researchers across the country are working with growers who are growing lingonberry hybrids under field conditions.
The berry has been popular in Scandinavian countries for decades and are used in sauces for chicken and pork, as well as in muffins and breads. It is native to British Columbia, Manitoba, and Atlantic Canada and has the potential to become a valuable crop for Canadian growers.
