A new study from Aarhus University has shown that the updated Nordic nutrition guidelines, designed to support both individual health and environmental sustainability, may help increase life expectancy.

Main Recommendations and Their Impact

The guidelines advise reducing the consumption of meat and added sugars, while increasing the intake of whole grains, legumes, fish, and low-fat dairy products. Introduced in 2023, these recommendations aim to improve nutrition and simultaneously reduce negative impacts on the climate. The new research found that people who strictly follow these guidelines have a significantly lower risk of premature death.

Study Results

Under the leadership of Associate Professor Christina Dam and PhD student Anne Bak Mørch, researchers analyzed data from over 76,000 Swedish adults who participated in two large-scale, long-term studies: the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men. Since 1997, participants have regularly reported their dietary habits and lifestyle, allowing the researchers to thoroughly examine the link between nutrition and long-term health outcomes.

According to Christina Dam, among middle-aged men and women in Sweden who closely adhered to these recommendations, mortality rates were 23% lower compared to those who did not, even after accounting for factors such as education, income, and physical activity. The study also noted a reduction in deaths from cancer and cardiovascular diseases among the most disciplined participants.

Significance for Society and the Environment

Dam emphasizes that these findings are important not only for individuals but also for society as a whole. Since national dietary guidelines in the Nordic and Baltic countries are based on Nordic principles, following these recommendations benefits public health. Moreover, because the guidelines consider both nutritional value and climate impact, sustainable Nordic nutrition could serve as a model for other regional diets worldwide.

The production and consumption of food play a significant role in climate change: about 30% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to the food industry. The Nordic guidelines were developed to balance health promotion with reducing environmental impact. This is the first study to assess the overall health effects of the updated recommendations.

Future Research Prospects

The researchers note that further studies are needed to understand how this dietary pattern may affect other conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Dam and her team plan to explore these questions in future research.

Conclusion

The study confirms that following a Nordic diet contributes to better health and reduces negative climate impacts, at least when it comes to preventing premature death.