Healthy Diets and Modifiable Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases : the European Perspective

Non-communicable diseases pose a serious threat to Western countries, in particular to European populations. In this context, healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and the New Nordic diet developed in 2004, in addition to other healthy lifestyle choices (i.e., regular and low to moderate intensity levels of physical activity) can contribute to reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (majorly preventable, diet-related, non-communicable diseases), including being overweight, obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. The Mediterranean diet and the Nordic diet share common traits: they are rich in nutrient-dense foods (mostly plant-derived foods) and low in energy-dense foods (mainly of animal origin). However, more studies are needed to ascertain the long-term effects of adherence to both dietary styles with regards to disease prevalence and incidence, especially for the New Nordic Diet.