Limited evidenceGeneral health

Lingonberry

A Nordic berry rich in polyphenols and, like cranberry, in proanthocyanidins. The human trials are small and mostly about postprandial glucose; the urinary-health reputation is borrowed from cranberry rather than demonstrated for lingonberry.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Blunting of post-meal glucose and insulin Limited evidence
Small randomised crossover studies in healthy women found that lingonberries eaten with sucrose or bread reduced the postprandial insulin response and smoothed the glucose curve. These were acute single-meal experiments in a few dozen people, with no data on longer-term glycaemic control.
Urinary tract health Limited evidence
A randomised trial of cranberry-lingonberry juice in children showed changes in the gut and urinary microbiome, but it was not designed to show fewer infections and lingonberry was not tested on its own. No trial has demonstrated that lingonberry prevents urinary tract infections.
Skin condition Limited evidence
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a lingonberry-plus-amla extract in healthy women reported improved skin measures. The combination prevents attributing the effect to lingonberry, and the study was small.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials fed roughly 100–150 g of whole berries or berry purée with a meal. Capsule extracts are typically labelled at 500 mg per day, a form no trial has tested.

SafetyA food, well tolerated. The berries contain benzoic acid and oxalate; people with a history of calcium-oxalate kidney stones should not take large concentrated doses. Like cranberry, high polyphenol intakes have been discussed as a possible interaction with warfarin, so monitor if anticoagulated.

Scientific references

Postprandial glucose, insulin, and free fatty acid responses to sucrose consumed with blackcurrants and lingonberries in healthy women
Törrönen R, Kolehmainen M, Sarkkinen E — Am J Clin Nutr, 2012
Cranberry-lingonberry juice affects the gut and urinary microbiome in children - a randomized controlled trial
Hakkola M, Vehviläinen P, Muotka J — APMIS, 2023
Oral intake of lingonberry and amla fruit extract improves skin conditions in healthy female subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Uchiyama T, Tsunenaga M, Miyanaga M — Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2019

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