How to live longer: The little-known diet rivalling the Mediterranean for longevity

Scientists at Aarhus University have discovered adhering to the revised Nordic dietary guidelines could significantly extend lifespan.

The research, examining data from 76,000 Swedish adults, found those who closely followed the updated nutritional recommendations experienced a 23 per cent reduction in mortality risk.

The guidelines, introduced in 2023, were developed with dual objectives: improving individual health while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns.

Beyond overall mortality, the study revealed participants who best adhered to the dietary advice also showed decreased death rates from both cancer and cardiovascular disease.

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Associate Professor Christina Dahm led the investigation alongside PhD student Anne Bak Mørch.

The dietary framework advises people to cut back on meat consumption and added sugars while boosting their intake of whole grains, pulses, fish, and low-fat dairy products.

These recommendations were crafted to enhance nutrition while reducing climate impact.

"Our study shows that among middle-aged Swedish men and women who follow the guidelines, mortality is 23 per cent lower compared with those who do not -- even when factors such as education, income, and physical activity are taken into account," Professor Dahm explained.

"The study also reveals lower mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease among those who are best at adhering to the guidelines," she added.

The researchers drew their conclusions from an extensive dataset involving more than 76,000 Swedish participants enrolled in two major longitudinal studies: the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men.

Since 1997, those taking part have consistently provided information about their eating patterns and lifestyle habits.

This wealth of data spanning nearly three decades enabled the scientific team to thoroughly investigate the relationship between dietary choices and long-term health outcomes.

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The comprehensive nature of the cohorts allowed researchers to account for various factors, including education levels, income, and physical activity, when assessing the impact of dietary adherence.

The findings carry significance well beyond Sweden's borders, according to Associate Professor Dahm.

"Our results are relevant across the Nordic and Baltic countries, since national dietary guidelines are based on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations," she stated.

Food production and consumption account for approximately 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans.

This marks the first study to assess the overall health effects of the updated recommendations.

"The study confirms that we can follow a Nordic diet to improve both our health and the climate -- at least when it comes to preventing premature death," Professor Dahm noted.

Further research is planned to examine how this eating pattern might affect conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

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