Boost your brain and body with a Viking diet 26 31

THE Vikings may be infamous for violence and bloodshed, but there are other Nordic behaviours which a raft of new research has shown are well worth copying.

A study out recently revealed that sticking to a traditional Scandinavian diet can support brain health in old age and could help fight off dementia.

The research carried out by the Swedish Karolinska Institute examined whether the typical diet followed by countries such as Sweden, Norway and Denmark had any positive effect on brain function. It found that people who stick to this customary diet experienced less of a decline in memory and thinking skills as they aged.

These new results, added to earlier research by Sweden’s Lund University, which found that those following a Nordic diet had lower levels of harmful cholesterol, resulting in healthier hearts; reduced odds of developing diabetes and lower rates of obesity. Together, the findings paint a picture of an eating plan healthy enough to rival the more celebrated Mediterranean diet.

The traditional Nordic diet is high in oily fish, green leafy veg, nuts, berries, wholegrains and chicken. And there’s good news if you enjoy the odd tipple – unlike many plans this diet also allows moderate wine drinking.

The Nordic diet is high in foods thought to help keep the brain healthy, including oily fish and antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables. A report at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference last month stated: “There’s increasing evidence that suggests a diet that’s rich in oily fish, fresh vegetables and nuts can help to maintain your memory as you get older.”

Scandinavians have long enjoyed one of the lowest obesity rates in Europe.

And nutritionists now believe that the protein-tocarb ratio of their diet might be key.

The Nordic diet is high in protein, with oily fish and lean red meat the standard sources. Studies show this diet compares favourably against the low-fat, higher-carb diets often followed for weight loss in the UK. One longer-term study of dieters found that the high protein content of a Nordic diet increased their metabolism and left them feeling fuller for longer – making it more effective in helping them lose weight and keep it off.