Lingonberries may be good for both the gut and the mouth, according to Finnish and Swedish researchers. Research shows that fermented lingonberry juice works well as a mouthwash and can also relieve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Studies have shown that lingonberries are packed with goodness. They are full of antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, manganese and fibre. Studies have shown that cranberries can counteract the effects of fatty foods, helping to fight obesity. They are also said to be effective against urinary tract infections.
For the past 15 years, Finnish researcher Pirjo Pärnänen of the University of Helsinki has been studying the effects on oral health of using fermented lingonberry juice as a mouthwash. Clinical trials have shown that it can help with both gum bleeding and inflammation, as well as being effective against plaque.
Based on this research, Pärnänen has developed a special product that uses fermented lingonberry juice as a mouthwash. The mouthwash is completely free of additives and the fermentation process has reduced the amount of sugar in the lingonberries. Swallowing the mouthwash is also completely safe and beneficial to intestinal health.
Fermentation, in a nutshell, is the fermentation of food using lactic acid, for example. It has long been a natural way of preserving food, but some believe that fermenting food makes it healthier and easier for the body to absorb because of the probiotics that are produced.
Fermentation, in a nutshell, is the fermentation of food using lactic acid, for example. It has long been a natural way of preserving food, but some believe that fermenting food makes it healthier and easier for the body to absorb because of the probiotics that are produced.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterised by excessive inflammation of the bowel lining. It includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both of which cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and blood in the stools. Both diseases can also cause oral symptoms, such as mouth ulcers or mucogingivitis, an inflammation of the lining of the mouth.
IBD is considered a chronic condition and the underlying causes are unclear.
In a study published in Nutrients, Pärnänen, together with researchers from Helsinki University Central Hospital, the University of Helsinki and Karolinska Institutet, reviewed existing studies on the prebiotic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of fermented lingonberry juice and whether it can alleviate IBS.
The study looked at the relationship between the bacterial flora of the mouth and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers suggest that oral health, which may benefit from the use of fermented cranberry juice, may indirectly benefit gut health by modifying the oral microbiome. This means that by improving oral health, fermented lingonberry juice may also help to balance the gut microbiota and reduce inflammation there.
At the same time, the researchers stress that more research is needed to investigate how the effects of lingonberries could potentially reduce inflammation in the gut and alleviate symptoms of IBD.
