Health Effects of a Nordic Diet Rich in Plant-based Foods and Fish

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a Nordic diet rich in plant-based foods and fish on indicators of cardiovascular disease risk at two different levels of salt intake. The study is a 20-wk randomized controlled crossover trial. The subjects follow a salt-restricted diet during the study. The study begins with a 4-wk run-in phase for all subjects. After that the subjects are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group 1 consumes a healthy Nordic low-salt diet enriched with plant-based foods and fish for 16 weeks. Group 2 consumes a low-salt diet for 16 weeks. During the 16 weeks, both groups receive salt and placebo capsules in a double-blind, crossover fashion (8+8 weeks).

human, clinical trial, dietary intervention study, blood pressure, cardiovascular biomarkers, nutritional biomarkers, gene expression

The subjects consume plant based foods (fruits, berries, vegetables, whole grain) and fish in addition to a salt-restricted diet. Intake of salt is normal to high for 8 weeks and low for 8 weeks (subjects receive salt and placebo capsules in a crossover design).

The subjects follow a salt-restricted diet. Intake of salt is normal to high for 8 weeks and low for 8 weeks (subjects receive salt and placebo capsules in a crossover design).

The intervention lasts for 20 weeks and it includes dietary counseling concerning salt restriction. Key foods are provided to the subjects.

Inclusion Criteria: prehypertension or hypertension (systolic blood pressure 130-159 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure 85-99 mmHg) Exclusion Criteria: smoking regular use of medications intestinal disorders symptomatic cardiovascular disease obesity (BMI>35 kg/m2) vegetarianism high intake of alcohol allergy to fish pregnancy