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The Scandinavian diet is the healthiest in terms of health benefits
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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The Scandinavian diet is based on the consumption of large amounts of fish (three times a week), vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. As research by experts has shown, such a diet helps to cope with the negative consequences of obesity, in particular, the prevention of inflammation, which often affects overweight people.
With the help of the Scandinavian diet, the expression of genes located in subcutaneous fat cells is inhibited in the body. These genes lead to inflammation, which provokes the development of diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition, after a person goes on a Scandinavian diet, his risk of developing atherosclerosis, thrombosis, as well as problems with the heart and blood vessels decreases.
The specialists selected a group of volunteers, which consisted of both middle-aged men and women. Each of the participants had symptoms of metabolic syndrome (obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes).
Scientists divided the participants into two groups. In the first group, volunteers had to adhere to a Scandinavian diet, in the second group, participants had to eat a small amount of fish, low-fiber foods, and a large amount of oil.
The study lasted 18-24 weeks, during which time scientists did not record significant changes in the weight of the participants, but other indicators changed significantly. Specialists noted that the work of all 128 adipose tissue genes changed, in particular, the expression of genes responsible for inflammation decreased, compared to the control group.
In another research project, experts noted that there is no universal diet for weight loss. The correct selection of a diet depends on understanding the principle of how genes work, the psychology of a person in each individual case. All this is of fundamental importance in a person's attitude to food.
It is individual characteristics that lead to a person eating above the norm. In their study, experts identified three categories of people:
- Those who love to eat (such people have insufficient secretion of hormones, which is why they do not feel full)
- Those who constantly think about food (such people are most often found to have “obesity genes”)
- Slaves of their emotions, i.e. people who try to solve all their problems with the help of food.
As it turned out, people in each of these groups responded to the diets differently.
The experts tested their theory on 75 volunteers, who were divided into three groups (25 people in each).
The duration of the study was three months.
Experts noted that there is a tendency to obesity at the genetic level, when the appearance of excess weight is influenced by the complex effect of several genes, which is typical for the second category of people prone to obesity. Those who have constant thoughts about food should limit the caloric content of their diet to 800 calories only twice a week, on other days you can eat without restrictions.
Eaters should pay attention to fish and meat. But carbohydrates should be avoided (bread, potatoes).
Slaves to their emotions are more in need of support than any kind of diet.