LDL cholesterol level and cardiovascular disease risk may be lowered with a healthy Nordic diet. The researchers found that participants who consumed a Nordic diet had higher levels of HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL cholesterol, which are important prerequisites for a healthy heart.
The healthy Nordic diet in the study consisted of berries, root vegetables, legumes, cabbage, nuts, fish, whole grains, poultry, and game.
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Participants who were not on the Nordic diet consumed butter, had less berries and vegetables, and did not have any regulations on their meat or grain intake.
Further studies will look at the possibility of weight loss with the Nordic diet.
Nordic diet: Foods to eat and avoid
The Nordic diet focuses on foods commonly consumed in Nordic countries: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The diet was first developed in 2004 by nutritionists, scientists, and chefs. Compared to the typical Western diet, it contains less sugar, less fat, double the fiber, and double the fish and poultry.
Based on the Nordic diet guidelines, you should eat plenty of fruits, berries, vegetables, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, rye bread, fish, low-fat dairy, herbs, spices, and canola oil.
Foods that should be consumed in moderation include game meat, free-range eggs, and cheese and yogurt.
Foods which should be consumed rarely or never are red meat, animal fats, sugar-sweetened beverages, added sugars, processed meats, food additives, and refined fast foods.
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As you can see, the Nordic diet is actually quite similar to the Mediterranean diet, but the biggest difference is the choice of oil. The Mediterranean diet strongly favors olive oil, while the Nordic diet prefers rapeseed (canola) oil.
Health benefits of the Nordic diet
The health benefits of the Nordic diet are quite similar to those of the Mediterranean diet, as they share many common foods. Studies have shown the Nordic diet can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, maintain better blood sugar control, control inflammation, and aid in weight loss.
On a larger scale, the Nordic diet has also been shown to benefit the environment, as it focuses on the locally grown, sustainable produce. The diet gives its preference to pesticide-free organic food, which is also beneficial to consumers and the environment alike.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
