‘Viking’ diet could keep cancer at bay

While a Mediterranean diet’s benefits are accepted, a Nordic diet offers many of the same advantages and more.

Eating like a Viking could cut the risk of developing cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s, according to the World Health Organization.

A traditional Mediterranean diet is rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts and olive oil, with moderate amounts of fish and poultry and very little dairy foods, red and processed meats or sweets.

The Nordic diet is similar, with seasonal fruit and vegetables, pulses, wholegrain cereals and fatty fish playing a key role. Rapeseed oil replaces olive oil.

Nutrition programme manager Joao Breda said rising rates of obesity and diabetes constituted an emergency, adding: “Expanding our understanding of how to promote healthy dietary patterns is an urgent priority.”

Researchers looked at published studies on the health impacts of both diets, and national guidelines on healthy eating.

Jessica Renzella, from Oxford University, one of the report’s authors, said: “The evidence is there and it shows that a Nordic and Mediterranean diet are good for you.

“We would urge governments to add these or other evidence-based healthy diets into policy.”

Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: “The Mediterranean and Nordic diets are consistent with our Eatwell Guide, which reflects the latest evidence.”