The Nordic Nutrition 2023 recommendations emphasize the reduction in meat consumption and an increase in the consumption of vegetables, fruits and berries, cereals, nuts and legumes. A new study by the University of Aarhus, the University Hospital of Aarhus, the Carolinskaya and the University of Copenhagen shows that following them are directly related to lower mortality.
The recommendations on the Scandal nutrition based on food products of 2023 also take into account the impact of the environmental diet, measured by greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use and the use of nitrogen and phosphorus. The image is provided: Serp Pae.
Diet is the main factor in climate change: about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions made by humans come from our current consumption and food production.
The Nordic Nutrition 2023 recommendations are designed to balance human health with stability.
“Our study shows that among Swedish men and middle-aged women who follow guidelines, mortality is 23% lower than those who do not do this, even when factors such as education, income and physical activity,” said Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Aarhus. Student Ann Buck Morch.
“The study also reveals lower mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases among those who are best adhered to guiding principles.”
In the study, researchers studied the data of more than 76,000 Swedish men and women in two large population studies: the Swedish cohort of mammography and cohorts of Swedish men.
Since 1997, participants have reported their habits of food and lifestyle, providing a unique basis for studying the connection between diet and health.
“The results are important for both human and planetary health,” said Dr. Christina Dam from the University of Aarhus.
“Our results are relevant in all North and Baltic countries, since national nutrition recommendations are based on recommendations with Scandice for nutrition.”
“We show that following the leading principles as a whole to the advantages of public health.”
“But our results are also further: since the recommendations take into account both nutritional value and climatic impact, our study demonstrates that the stable northern diet benefits public health and climate – and can serve as a model for other regional stable diets around the world.”
“The study confirms that we can follow the northern diet in order to improve both our health and climate.”
“Regardless of whether the diet affects other results in relation to health, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or cancer, has yet to be seen.”
“We hope to explore this further in the upcoming study.”
A Conclusions were published in Food magazineField
_____
Ann B. Morch and othersThe field development of the recommendations of the Nordic Nutrition 2023 Evaluation of the diet based on food and its relationship with mortality from all causes in two Swedish cohorts. Food magazinePublished online July 3, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/J.tjnut.2025.06.030
