Lingonberries have Anti‐obesity Effects and Modulate the Gut Microbiota in High‐fat Fed C57BL/6J Mice

This study aimed to investigate if the ability of lingonberries to prevent diet‐induced obesity is associated with an altered gut microbiota. Furthermore, two different batches of lingonberries were tested. C57BL/6J mice were fed high‐fat (HF) diet (control) or HF diet supplemented with lingonberries (20% w/w) from two different batches (Lingon1 and Lingon2) for 11 weeks. The composition of cecal gut microbiota was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (MiSeq, Illumina). Lingonberry intake was found to prevent weight gain, hepatic steatosis and other metabolic parameters associated with obesity. However, these effects were more prominent in mice fed HF diet supplemented with Lingon1, compared to Lingon2. Interestingly, both lingonberry batches reduced the plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide binding protein and the inflammatory marker serum amyloid A (SAA). Lingonberry intake significantly increased beta diversity of cecum microbiota and positively correlated with the abundance of Akkermansia spp. The relative abundance of Parabacteroides spp negatively correlated with SAA, and tended to be reduced in the microbiota of mice receiving Lingon1. We conclude that lingonberries exert anti‐obesity effects when supplemented to a HF diet in mice, but the magnitude varies depending on which batch of berries is used. Regardless of the berry source, lingonberries promote changes of gut microbiota and lower endotoxemia and low‐grade inflammation in mice. Further discerning the microbiota of mice receiving lingonberries may provide additional knowledge to correlate changes in gut microbiota with protection against obesity. Supported by: Lund University Antidiabetic Food Centre, a VINNOVA Excellence Center.