Nordic Diet Linked to 23% Lower Mortality,New Research Shows
COPENHAGEN,Denmark – Following the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023 is directly associated with a significantly lower risk of death,according to groundbreaking research published July 3,2025,in the Journal of Nutrition. A study of over 76,000 Swedish adults reveals that adherence to the guidelines - which prioritize vegetables, fruits, berries, cereals, nuts, adn pulses while advocating for reduced meat consumption - correlates with a 23% decrease in mortality.
researchers from Aarhus university, Aarhus University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, and the University of Copenhagen analyzed data from the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men, tracking dietary and lifestyle habits since 1997. The study accounted for factors like education, income, and physical activity, strengthening the link between the Nordic diet and longevity.
“Our study shows that among middle-aged Swedish men and women who follow the guidelines, mortality is 23% lower compared with those who do not,” explained Aarhus University ph.D. student Anne Bak Mørch.
The benefits extend beyond overall survival rates. The research also indicated lower mortality rates from both cancer and cardiovascular disease among participants who most closely followed the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations.
Notably, the 2023 recommendations uniquely integrate environmental sustainability alongside health considerations, factoring in greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, and nutrient utilization. Diet currently accounts for approximately 30% of human-made greenhouse gas emissions.
“The findings are critically important for both human and planetary health,” stated Aarhus University’s Dr. Christina Dahm. “Our results are relevant across the Nordic and Baltic countries, as national dietary guidelines are based on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations.”
Researchers emphasize the diet’s potential as a model for lasting eating patterns globally. “we show that following the guidelines as a whole benefits public health,” Dahm added. “But our results also go further: as the recommendations take into account both nutritional value and climate impact, our research demonstrates that a sustainable nordic diet benefits public health and the climate – and could serve as a model for other regional sustainable diets worldwide.”
While this study focuses on mortality, researchers plan to investigate the diet’s impact on other health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, in future research.
(DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.030)