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Wild berries: a good source of omega-3

Abstract

It has been reported that some wild green vegetables are good sources of α-linolenic acid (ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid). Using available data from the Norwegian food composition table, the present study shows that three common Nordic berries (blueberry, cloudberry and cowberry) on average contain 0.7 g of fat (=21% of total energy) and 0.25 g ALA (=36% of total fat) per 100 g, which is quite similar to what has been reported for the ALA-rich wild green vegetables. In addition, this study shows that a hypothetical replacement of 5% of Norwegian 8th grade girls’ diet, with a similar energy amount of wild berries, would significantly improve the diet – also improve intake of nutrients not commonly associated with berries.

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Correspondence to E Bere.

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Bere, E. Wild berries: a good source of omega-3. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 431–433 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602512

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