The health effects of a diet rich in plant-based foods and fish. Focus on Nordic foods

The associations between dietary factors and indicators of cardiovascular disease risk will be investigated in a population-based study. The health effects of single foods as well as whole diets will be investigated in human intervention trials. This proj ect is a collaboration with National Public Health Institute in Finland. Initial collaboration between the research groups has been ongoing since 2005. The population-based study investigates men and women who participated in the Health 2000 Survey (su bstudy for cardiovascular disease and diabetes). Associations will be explored between a diet rich in plant-based foods and fish, different nutritional biomarkers, and indicators of cardiovascular disease risk. The modifying effects of selected genetic po lymorphisms, as well as differences between genders, are studied. Furthermore, a Healthy Nordic Eating Index will be constructed and tested. Detailed dietary intake data and results from various measurements related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes are available. Several biomarkers are measured. Three dietary intervention trials are performed. In one trial, the effects of berry and fish consumption are investigated. In another trial, the effects of a diet containing whole grain, fruits, vegetables and coffee, is explored. Whether synergistic effects are observed by the addition of fish and rapeseed oil to such a diet, is also studied. During the interventions, blood pressure will be measured and blood samples collected for the analysis of various biomarkers, as well as whole genome DNA microarrays. The aim is to identify the factors responsible for the health effects of diets rich in plant-based foods and long chain fatty acids. In conclusion, our research project will generate important new inf ormation about the beneficial effects of foods and diets belonging to modern Nordic food culture, as well as the factors underlying the effects.