The Mediterranean diet has gotten a lot of attention in the past few years, but researchers in Denmark say it is not the only way to lose weight and lower blood pressure. In a study of 181 Danes with big bellies, they tested the New Nordic Diet. The volunteers were randomly assigned to eat the New Nordic Diet or an average Danish diet for half a year. All participants were provided with cookbooks and free foods.
147 individuals completed the study, and those folks did a good job sticking to their assigned diets. Those on the New Nordic Diet (with plenty of vegetables, fruit, fish and whole grain such as rye) lost an average of nearly 5 kg (roughly 10 pounds). Those sticking to the average Danish diet lost about 1.5 kg (a bit more than 3 pounds). In addition, the New Nordic Diet resulted in lower blood pressure than the average Danish diet.
[American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Jan. 2014]
The bottom line seems to be that a diet rich in vegetables and fish and low in sugars and refined grains is probably the way to go for better health. If you’d like recipes that feature that approach, check out our cookbook, Recipes & Remedies From The People’s Pharmacy.
