Berry, vegetables, fish, whole grains, canola oil. These are key components of the Nordic dietary concept, which has been recognized as very healthy, delicious and sustainable for the past decade. Diet can prevent obesity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
So far, research on the Nordic diet has been primarily related to the positive health effects of the post-weight loss diet. But new analysis, especially by researchers at the University of Copenhagen, reveals that a Scandinavian diet has health benefits, whether or not you lose weight.
“It’s amazing because most people believe that the positive effects on blood sugar and cholesterol are simply due to weight loss. Here it turns out that it isn’t. Other mechanisms are working as well. “Researcher Lars Orb Dragstead explains. Chief of the Faculty of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen.
Dragsted worked with researchers in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland to examine blood and urine samples from 200 people over the age of 50. All of these have a high BMI and an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Participants were divided into two groups. One is to serve meals according to Scandinavian dietary recommendations, and the other is a control group for habitual diets. After 6 months of monitoring, the results were clear.
“The group who had been on the Scandinavian diet for 6 months had lower cholesterol levels, lower overall levels of both saturated and unsaturated fats in the blood, and less glucose regulation than the control group. Good and significantly healthier. The Nordic diet’s weight-stable group means that if you lose weight, you ask to eat more. Even if you don’t lose weight, you’re in good health. We’ve seen improvements, “explains Lars Ove Dragsted.
Fat makes us healthy
In addition to weight loss, researchers point to the unique composition of fat in the Nordic diet as a possible explanation for important health benefits.
“Analysis of the participants’ blood revealed that those who most benefited from dietary changes had different fat-soluble substances than the controls. These were from Scandinavian dietary oils. A substance that appears to be related to unsaturated fatty acids, which shows that Scandinavian dietary fats probably play the most important role in the health effects seen here. Was unexpected, “says Lars Ove Dragsted.
The fat in the Nordic diet comes from fish, flaxseed, sunflower and rapeseed (canola). Overall, these make up a very beneficial mixture for the body, but researchers have not yet explained exactly why these fats appear to lower both blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
“We can only speculate why changes in fat composition bring great benefits to our health. However, the lack of highly processed foods and the low levels of saturated fat from animals is very important to us. It can be confirmed that it has a positive effect. Omega-3 and Omega-6 The composition of the Nordic diet high in unsaturated fats leads to the health gained from the Nordic diet even if the participants’ weight remains constant. It can be a significant part of the explanation of the impact of. ” Lars Ove Dragsted.
Facts about Nordic nutritional recommendations
Scandinavian nutrition recommendations were adopted by dietary experts in 2012 and will be updated this year.
The diet is adapted to Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Iceland. Meals are locally produced and thereby based on sustainable ingredients.
Recommended foods include vegetables such as pea, beans, cabbage, onions and root vegetables, as well as fruits such as apples, pears, plums and berries. We also recommend vegetable oils made from nuts, seeds, whole grains, fish and shellfish, rapeseed, sunflowers and flaxseed. Finally, low-fat dairy products are also recommended, with significantly less meat than the meat currently consumed.
Diet has a positive effect on our health, especially contributing to important fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and plant materials that reduce the risk of blood clots, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Common cardiovascular disease.
Weight loss related to the Scandinavian diet
Researchers emphasize that weight loss, which is often due to Scandinavian dietary patterns, remains very important to the overall health benefits of the diet.
“This study simply shows that this is not the case. that’s all Weight loss that leads to the benefits of this diet. The unique composition of fat also plays an important role, “says Lars Ove Dragsted.
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