No evidence Nordic diet prevents heart disease

Conclusion This was a well-designed randomised controlled trial that took place across several Nordic locations. The study took careful clinical measures of elements of metabolic syndrome at several points during the trial, and used food diaries at regular intervals to check compliance to the assigned diet. However, it provides no reliable proof that the ‘healthy’ Nordic diet is any better than the ‘average’ Nordic diet at improving components of metabolic syndrome and, in turn, no proof that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Importantly, this study found no significant results for its main aim (which was to see if the healthy ‘Nordic’ diet affected glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity of people with metabolic syndrome). The study also found that the Nordic diet had no effect on weight or blood pressure. The only statistically significant differences were small borderline significant decreases in non-HDL cholesterol levels and fat-binding proteins among people following the healthy Nordic diet. People following the normal Nordic diet were found to have increases in one inflammatory marker. However, the effects of these two diets on the cardiovascular system have only been assessed in the short-term. It is not clear whether these small changes would have had any real life significance to people (for example, whether they would stop people dying of heart disease) if they were continued for longer. It is worth noting that the study involved people ...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Lifestyle/exercise Heart/lungs Source Type: news