Healthy Nordic diet linked to lower risk of death, study finds

A recent study has added evidence to the idea that following a healthy Nordic diet may be associated with a longer life. Researchers analyzed health data from more than 64,000 middle-aged and older adults in Sweden to statistically compare different dietary patterns over a long period.

The analysis estimated that people who closely followed a healthy Nordic diet had a lower risk of dying from any cause over 24 years. The findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The Nordic diet is based on traditional foods from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Like the Mediterranean diet, it emphasizes plant-based foods, but it is adapted to the ingredients and eating habits of Northern Europe. It typically includes vegetables, root vegetables, whole grains and fatty fish.

The approach also favors rapeseed oil over olive oil, oats and rye over wheat and rice, and fruits such as apples and pears. The researchers noted that these foods are widely available and familiar in Northern Europe, which could make the diet easier to maintain in the region.

The study was not a clinical trial. Instead, researchers used statistical modeling to estimate the potential long-term effects of dietary patterns without having to wait decades for outcomes.

Compared with general health recommendations, a healthy Nordic diet was associated with a 4% lower risk of death from any cause over 24 years. However, the analysis did not find a clear reduction in severe liver-related outcomes when the healthy Nordic diet was compared with the 2023 Nordic nutritional recommendations.

The researchers also observed differences among some groups, with the strongest estimated mortality results including somewhat larger proportions of women and adults over 65 with hypertension or diabetes. The authors emphasized that these findings require further study.

Researchers argue that the Nordic approach may offer an additional advantage in Northern Europe because many of its ingredients are locally grown and familiar, potentially making it easier to follow while supporting local food production.