← All supplements
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.

Where to buy

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

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.

How to take it

TimingThe trials fed the berries with a meal, which is where the post-meal glucose effect shows up.
With food?Eat them with a meal rather than alone.
Worth knowingThe trial evidence is for whole berries or purée in 100 g portions — the 500 mg capsule extracts on shelves are a different product with no trial behind them.

Interactions

With medications

  • warfarin

    As with cranberry, high polyphenol intakes have been linked to shifts in INR, though the evidence is inconsistent. keep intake steady and ask for an extra INR check when you start

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does lingonberry prevent urinary tract infections?

No trial has shown that lingonberry prevents urinary tract infections; that reputation is borrowed from cranberry, and lingonberry has not been tested on its own. The evidence is limited.

Does lingonberry lower blood sugar?

Small crossover studies in healthy women found lingonberries eaten with sucrose or bread smoothed the post-meal glucose and insulin response, but these were single-meal experiments with no data on long-term glycaemic control. The evidence is limited.

Are lingonberry capsules as good as the berries?

The trial evidence is for about 100–150 g of whole lingonberries or purée eaten with a meal; the 500 mg capsule extracts on shelves have never been tested in a trial.

Is lingonberry safe with warfarin?

As with cranberry, high polyphenol intakes from lingonberry have been linked to shifts in INR, though the evidence is inconsistent. Keep your intake steady and ask for an extra INR check when you start.

Scientific references

Related in General health