Home Ingredients LingonMax® (Patented Lingonberry Extract for Skin + Antioxidant — BGG World)

LingonMax® (Patented Lingonberry Extract for Skin + Antioxidant — BGG World)

Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Evidence Level
Preliminary
1 Clinical Trial
7 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

LingonMax® is BGG World's extract of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) fruit, made from berries wild harvested in Finland with a patented production process (WO2009003352). A supplier listing gives standardization to 10% resveratrol, 10% anthocyanins and 35% proanthocyanidins and a 150 mg dose; these are the maker's specifications, and no independent analysis has been published. One published study of the product exists: 42 Brazilian women with melasma all used sunscreen, and those who also took 100 mg a day for 60 days had lighter patches than at the start, while sunscreen alone did not change them. There was no placebo capsule and no direct comparison between the groups was reported. The maker's patent describes an 8 week skin test with no control group. No study of LingonMax has measured antioxidant status in people. Trials of other lingonberry products are labeled as such.

Studied Dose 100 mg a day for 60 days in the one published study of LingonMax; 150 mg a day for 8 weeks in the maker's uncontrolled patent test. A supplier listing gives 150 mg.
Active Compound Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) fruit extract by BGG World. Supplier specification: 10% resveratrol, 10% anthocyanins and 35% proanthocyanidins. BGG's patent describes combining an anthocyanin fraction with a resveratrol-rich fraction collected from the fruit residue to give about 10% anthocyanidins, 35% procyanidins and 10% resveratrol.

Benefits

Dark facial patches in women also using sunscreen (the LingonMax study)

In 42 women with melasma who all applied sunscreen, those who also took 100 mg a day of LingonMax for 60 days had lower pigment intensity on standardized photos than at the start, and their quality of life scores improved, while sunscreen alone changed neither significantly. No placebo capsule was used and no direct test between the groups was reported.

Supported by Trial 1

Skin measures in the maker's 8 week patent test

BGG's patent describes 39 women taking 150 mg a day of one of three lingonberry extracts for 8 weeks. With the extract matching LingonMax's stated composition, spot area, wrinkle grade, skin color and water content scores improved from the start. There was no placebo or untreated group, group sizes were not given, and the results were not published in a journal.

Supported by Trial 1

Skin elasticity with a different lingonberry and amla drink

In a 12 week placebo-controlled trial run by researchers at a cosmetics company, 99 healthy women drank 25 or 50 mg of a lingonberry extract combined with amla extract each day. Skin elasticity, thickness, water content and eye wrinkles improved with dose. This was a different product with a second plant, so it does not show what LingonMax does.

Supported by Trial 1

Insulin response to bread or sugar eaten with whole lingonberries

In randomized crossover meal tests in healthy women, 150 g of lingonberry puree eaten with white bread lowered the insulin response, and lingonberries eaten with 35 g of sugar gave a flatter glucose and insulin curve than sugar alone. These were whole berries in food amounts, not a 150 mg extract.

Supported by Trial 1

Antioxidant measures in people eating berries (not LingonMax)

Men aged about 60 who ate 100 g a day of bilberries, lingonberries or blackcurrants for 8 weeks had higher blood vitamin C, but changes in LDL oxidation and blood antioxidant capacity were not significant. A 5 week multi-berry drink with some lingonberry lowered LDL cholesterol versus a control drink but did not change oxidative stress markers.

Supported by Trial 1

Test tube antioxidant scores and pigment enzyme tests

An ORAC score of 16,000 is quoted for the extract, and the maker's patent reports that it slowed the pigment enzyme tyrosinase in mouse pigment cells about as much as arbutin, and more at the highest level tested. These are laboratory results. The USDA withdrew its ORAC database in 2012, saying such values have no relevance to effects on human health.

Supported by Trial 1

Composition note: stated polyphenol levels

This is a composition note, not a health benefit. BGG states levels of resveratrol, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, and its patent describes adding a resveratrol-rich fraction taken from the fruit residue. No independent analysis of the content has been published, and no study has linked these levels to an outcome in people.

Mechanism of action

1

Tyrosinase inhibition (melanin synthesis)

Tyrosinase drives melanin production. In BGG's patent, the extract slowed tyrosinase in mouse B16 pigment cells about as much as arbutin at most concentrations and more at the highest, and at the two highest concentrations tested lowered melanin content in those cells more than arbutin did. These are cell results; whether this explains the skin findings in people is untested.

2

Inflammatory and reactive oxygen signals in cultured cells

In a test tube study, lingonberry polyphenol fractions lowered reactive oxygen species in fat cells and reduced expression of inflammatory genes such as IL-6 and IL-1 beta in human blood vessel lining cells. No people and no skin cells were involved.

3

Slower sugar digestion with whole berries

When lingonberries were eaten with sugar, glucose and insulin rose less in the first 30 minutes and declined more slowly later, which the researchers read as slower digestion and absorption of the sugar. That was shown with 150 g of whole berries, not with a concentrated extract.

Clinical trials

1
LingonMax with sunscreen versus sunscreen alone for dark facial patches
PubMed

Randomized, comparative, single-center study described as double-blind; the comparison group used sunscreen only and took no placebo capsule; the paper names LingonMax in its discussion and gives a dose of 100 mg a day; each group was compared with its own baseline and no direct between-group test was reported; no funding and no conflicts declared; journal not PubMed-indexed (Moura et al. 2016, Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology)

42 Brazilian women aged 30 to 55 with facial melasma, 21 per group, of whom 38 finished (20 lingonberry, 18 sunscreen only). All applied SPF 100 sunscreen three times a day, and one group also took the extract for 60 days.

Pigment intensity on standardized dermatoscope photos fell from baseline in the lingonberry group (p = 0.01) and did not change with sunscreen alone. Quality of life scores improved from 40.6 to 33.2 with lingonberry (p = 0.002) and went from 39.5 to 38.4 with sunscreen alone (p = 0.058). Dermatologists rated 80% versus 30% as improved. No adverse effects were observed.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

No adverse effects were observed in the 60 day study of 100 mg a day of LingonMax, in which 38 women finished; longer use and higher doses have not been reported.
Allergy to lingonberry can occur: a published case report describes an allergic reaction in which skin testing and IgE testing supported lingonberry as the cause.
No study cited here tested the extract in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and the LingonMax study excluded pregnant and breastfeeding women. Ask your doctor before use.
Wild harvesting does not by itself guarantee purity. Look for a certificate of analysis showing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants.

Important Drug interactions

Medicines broken down by liver CYP enzymes: in 11 healthy volunteers, lingonberry powder taken three times a day for 9 days did not change the activity of any of the CYP enzymes tested with index drugs. That was a berry powder, not LingonMax.
Diabetes medicines: lingonberries eaten with bread or sugar lowered the insulin response in meal tests in healthy women. Whether a 150 mg extract does this has not been tested, but checking blood sugar is sensible if you combine them.
Blood pressure medicines: in a 5 week trial of a multi-berry drink that included lingonberry, blood pressure did not change compared with a control drink, so any added effect is theoretical.

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Frequently asked questions about LingonMax® (Patented Lingonberry Extract for Skin + Antioxidant — BGG World)

Is LingonMax safe, and does it have side effects?

Safety data are thin. In the one published study of LingonMax, 38 women finished 60 days at 100 mg a day and no adverse effects were observed. Longer use and higher doses have not been studied. Lingonberry allergy has been reported, and the study excluded pregnant and breastfeeding women, so ask your doctor first in those cases.

Has LingonMax been tested in people?

Once in a published study: Brazilian women using sunscreen who also took 100 mg a day for 60 days had lighter dark patches than at the start, while sunscreen alone did not change them, but there was no placebo capsule and no direct comparison between groups. BGG's patent also describes an 8 week skin test in 39 women without a control group.

How is LingonMax different from eating lingonberries?

LingonMax is a concentrated extract with stated levels of resveratrol, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, given at 100 to 150 mg. The human meal studies used 150 g of whole lingonberries, which lowered the insulin response to bread or sugar. Those results come from food amounts of berries and have not been tested with the extract.

What does the ORAC score of LingonMax tell me?

ORAC is a test tube measure of antioxidant capacity. An ORAC score of 16,000 is quoted for the extract, but the USDA withdrew its ORAC database in 2012, saying such values have no relevance to effects on human health. No study has measured antioxidant status in people taking LingonMax.

What is LingonMax?

LingonMax® is BGG World's extract of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) fruit, made from berries wild harvested in Finland with a patented production process (WO2009003352).

What is LingonMax used for?

NutraSmarts does not list LingonMax under a health category. What the research covers: In 42 women with melasma who all applied sunscreen, those who also took 100 mg a day of LingonMax for 60 days had lower pigment intensity on standardized photos than at the start, and their quality of life scores improved, while sunscreen a…

What is the recommended dosage of LingonMax?

The clinically studied dose is 100 mg a day for 60 days in the one published study of LingonMax; 150 mg a day for 8 weeks in the maker's uncontrolled patent test. A supplier listing gives 150 mg. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Does LingonMax interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Medicines broken down by liver CYP enzymes: in 11 healthy volunteers, lingonberry powder taken three times a day for 9 days did not change the activity of any of the CYP enzymes tested with index drugs. That was a berry powder, not LingonMax. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for LingonMax?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for LingonMax as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 12 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(12 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Moura LAP, Pinto JMN, Teixeira MS. Oral use of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis idaea L.) as an alternative for the treatment of melasma in adult women Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology. 2016;8(4 Suppl 1):S34-9. doi: 10.5935/scd1984-8773.2016677.SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed (full text read on the journal site and Redalyc). The one published study of LingonMax, which the paper names in its discussion, at 100 mg a day. 42 Brazilian women aged 30 to 55 with facial melasma were randomized to sunscreen alone or sunscreen plus the extract for 60 days; 38 finished. Pigment intensity on dermatoscope photos fell from baseline with the extract (p = 0.01) and did not change with sunscreen alone; quality of life scores improved with the extract (p = 0.002) but not significantly with sunscreen alone (p = 0.058). There was no placebo capsule and no direct between-group test was reported. No adverse effects; no funding and no conflicts declared. The paper also quotes an ORAC value of 16,000 for the extract, citing a patent.
  2. Li C, Li Y. Cosmetic composition containing lingonberry extract and its uses US Patent US8501246B2, assigned to Beijing Gingko Group Biological Tech Co Ltd. 2013;Granted 2013-08-06; same patent family as WO2009003352A1..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; BGG's own patent, read in full. Example 3 describes an extract of about 10% anthocyanidins, 35% procyanidins and 10% resveratrol. In B16 mouse pigment cells it slowed tyrosinase about as much as arbutin, and more at 30 mg/L (61% versus 53% inhibition), and at 20 and 30 mg/L lowered melanin content more than arbutin. Example 11 describes 39 women taking 150 mg a day of one of three extracts for 8 weeks with before and after measures only: with this extract, wrinkle grade, spot area, sensitivity, smoothness, skin color and water content improved from baseline. There was no placebo or untreated group and group sizes were not reported.
  3. NXT Ingredients (accessed 2026). LingonMax® by BGG World NXT Ingredients supplier listing. 2026;Supplier ingredient listing, accessed October 2026..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; a supplier listing, not evidence of effect. States standardization to 10% resveratrol, 10% anthocyanins and 35% proanthocyanidins, a 150 mg dose, wild harvesting in Finland and the patented production process WO2009003352. It calls the ingredient clinically supported but names no study.
  4. Daniells S. ORAC has ‘ongoing value’, says expert, as USDA removes online database NutraIngredients. 2012;Published 13 June 2012..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed-indexed; trade press report. Reports that the USDA removed its online ORAC database in 2012, stating that antioxidant capacity values have no relevance to the effects of specific bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, on human health, and that ORAC values were routinely misused by food and supplement companies.
  5. Uchiyama T, Tsunenaga M, Miyanaga M, Ueda O, Ogo M. Oral intake of lingonberry and amla fruit extract improves skin conditions in healthy female subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2019;66(5):870-879. doi: 10.1002/bab.1800.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 99 healthy women: a daily drink with 25 mg lingonberry extract and 30 mg amla fruit extract, double that amount, or placebo, for 12 weeks. Skin elasticity (the primary outcome), skin thickness, stratum corneum water content and eye wrinkles improved in a dose-dependent manner. All authors are from the Shiseido Global Innovation Center. This is a different product, combined with amla, not LingonMax.
  6. Törrönen R, Kolehmainen M, Sarkkinen E, Poutanen K, Mykkänen H, Niskanen L. Berries reduce postprandial insulin responses to wheat and rye breads in healthy women. J Nutr. 2013;143(4):430-6. doi: 10.3945/jn.112.169771.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized controlled crossover meal studies in healthy women (13 to 20 per study). White bread eaten with 150 g of lingonberry puree significantly reduced the insulin response compared with bread alone, but lingonberries did not significantly improve the glycemic profile; only strawberries and a berry blend did. Whole berries, not an extract.
  7. Törrönen R, Kolehmainen M, Sarkkinen E, Mykkänen H, Niskanen L. Postprandial glucose, insulin, and free fatty acid responses to sucrose consumed with blackcurrants and lingonberries in healthy women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;96(3):527-33. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.042184.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized controlled crossover meal study in 20 healthy women. Compared with 35 g of sucrose alone, sucrose eaten with 150 g of whole blackcurrants or lingonberries lowered glucose and insulin in the first 30 minutes, slowed the later decline and gave a significantly improved glycemic profile; berry nectars gave nearly similar effects. The authors attribute this to slower digestion of sucrose. Whole berries and nectars, not an extract.
  8. Marniemi J, Hakala P, Mäki J, Ahotupa M. Partial resistance of low density lipoprotein to oxidation in vivo after increased intake of berries. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2000;10(6):331-7..PubMedUsed to support: Randomized trial in healthy 60-year-old men, 20 per group: 100 g a day of frozen bilberries, lingonberries or blackcurrants, a vitamin E plus vitamin C supplement, or a calcium control, for 8 weeks. Serum vitamin C rose with berries, but LDL diene conjugation (p = 0.074) and total serum antioxidant capacity (p = 0.084) changes were not significant. The authors conclude effects of berries on these measures appear small. Whole berries, not LingonMax.
  9. Nilsson A, Salo I, Plaza M, Björck I. Effects of a mixed berry beverage on cognitive functions and cardiometabolic risk markers; A randomized cross-over study in healthy older adults. PLoS One. 2017;12(11):e0188173. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188173.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized crossover trial in 40 healthy adults aged 50 to 70 who drank, for 5 weeks each, a beverage made from 150 g blueberries, 50 g blackcurrant, 50 g elderberry, 50 g lingonberries, 50 g strawberry and 100 g tomatoes, or a matched control drink. Total and LDL cholesterol fell versus control and working memory was better, but blood pressure, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress markers did not change significantly. Lingonberry was about one ninth of the mixture, so no result can be credited to it.
  10. Aurinsalo L, Lapatto-Reiniluoto O, Kurkela M, Neuvonen M, Moilanen E, Niemi M, Tornio A, Backman JT. Repeated Intake of Grapefruit Juice Inhibits CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 while Lingonberry Powder Does Not Induce Major CYP Enzymes in Humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2026;119(4):953-963. doi: 10.1002/cpt.70165.PubMedUsed to support: Crossover study in 11 healthy volunteers who took lingonberry powder three times a day for 9 days, grapefruit juice for 3 days, or water. Lingonberry pretreatment did not change any CYP enzyme index (CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4) or OATP biomarkers, while grapefruit juice inhibited several. The authors conclude lingonberry powder is unlikely to induce CYP enzymes in humans. A berry powder, not LingonMax; no competing interests declared.
  11. Matheu V, Baeza ML, Zubeldia JM, Barrios Y. Allergy to lingonberry: A case report. Clin Mol Allergy. 2004;2(1):2. doi: 10.1186/1476-7961-2-2.PubMedUsed to support: Single case report, described by the authors as the first case of lingonberry allergy. Symptoms, timing, a positive skin test, IgE-ELISA and western blot supported lingonberry as the cause. One case, so it shows that allergy can occur, not how often.
  12. Kowalska K, Dembczyński R, Gołąbek A, Olkowicz M, Olejnik A. ROS Modulating Effects of Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Polyphenols on Obese Adipocyte Hypertrophy and Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):885. doi: 10.3390/nu13030885.PubMedUsed to support: Cell study in mouse 3T3-L1 fat cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. A lingonberry non-anthocyanin polyphenol fraction lowered reactive oxygen species in enlarged fat cells, and both fractions reduced expression of inflammatory genes (IL-6, IL-1 beta) and adhesion molecules in blood vessel lining cells. No people and no skin cells were involved, so it supports a possible mechanism only.