In the past 20 years, the Mediterranean diet has been a top choice among body conscious people. But while this diet may have benefitted a lot of people, scientists have found a new and healthier diet. The Nordic diet is the latest eating plan that could surpass the benefits provided by the famous Mediterranean diet that uses olive oil, vegetables, unrefined cereals, fish, nuts and citrus fruit.
The Nordic diet features the Scandinavian rapeseed oil, elk and berries specifically cloudberries and cowberries. For this new diet, University of Copenhagen scientists launched a project to identify and test other products in Scandinavia that could be used in the diet plan. The research is in response to the rising number of obese people and illnesses linked to unhealthy diets in the region such as cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer and obesity.
Traditional Nordic diets are rich in protein as it makes use of fish particularly trout, cod, salmon and herring. Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
A research from Norway’s University of Agder also confirmed that native berries that can be found in the northern part of Europe notably cowberries, blueberries and cloudberries contain the same omega-3 fatty acid. The berries are high in antioxidants which can help the body fight stroke, heart disease and cancer.
Additionally, rapeseed oil has the same ingredient and contains vitamin E as well. This type of oil is considered a good substitute for olive oil.
Lead researcher of the new Nordic diet project, Professor Arne Astrup who’s also the president of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, added that meat from animals such as elk and reindeer and birds like the grouse, are also a healthier option compared to the livestock.
U.K. expert nutritionists look forward to this new discovery believing that the climate in Great Britain is more suitable in producing foods available in Scandinavia. The findings are good news to them since some ingredients used in the Mediterranean diet don’t grow in areas with cold climates.
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