New Nordic Diet can lead to weight loss

Press release, 28 October 2011

HEALTH The initial results from the exploration of the health potential of the New Nordic Diet are now ready. The interim results from the OPUS Supermarket intervention at the University of Copenhagen shows that after 12 weeks the subjects eating the New Nordic Diets had lost more weight than those eating the Average Danish Diet.
The team of researchers behind the project is now looking forward to publishing the final project results and conclusions in spring 2012.

Method of OPUS Supermarket intervention

A total of 181 overweight subjects participated in the six-month OPUS Supermarket intervention. The subjects were randomised for eating either the New Nordic Diet or an Average Daily Diet.

Throughout the six-month period, they collected all their food free at the scientific grocery store at LIFE. The subjects in both groups were allowed to eat as much as they liked – i.e. they were not counting calories – but it was carefully checked that their food intake complied with the dietary principles which they were asked to follow.

The subjects were given a cookbook and thorough guidance by dieticians and cooks throughout the project period and also completed a cookery course. Body weight and composition were measured at after 0 and 12 weeks.

Weight loss and lower fat percentage

The head of the OPUS Supermarket intervention, Associate Professor Thomas Meinert Larsen, explains that the results confirm the supposition that the New Nordic diet can lead to weight loss:

"The purpose of the OPUS Supermarket intervention is to study the effect on body weight and on the prevention of weight-related diseases of eating according to the principles for the New Nordic Diet. And the results after 12 of the 26 test weeks show that the 113 subjects eating the New Nordic Diet lost an average of 3.1 kg, whereas the 69 subjects eating an average Danish diet lost 1.6 kg on average".

Interim results

The interim results, which were presented at a European nutrition conference in Madrid on 28 October, thus show that after 12 weeks, the subjects eating the New Nordic Diet had lost significantly more weight than those eating an average Danish diet. At the same time, all the subjects had reduced their body fat percentage after 12 weeks. The largest reduction was once again seen in the group eating the New Nordic Diet.

"The interim results are interesting, but it is still difficult to draw any final conclusions before the end results are available. Only then will we be able to see the long-term impact of eating the New Nordic Diet and whether it has the potential to prevent weight-related diseases," says Associate Professor Thomas Meinert Larsen, who nevertheless regards the preliminary results as being extremely positive.

The final results are expected to be published in spring 2012. The OPUS research centre is funded by the Nordea foundation.

New Nordic Diet

The New Nordic diet has been developed by OPUS under the direction of the gastronomic entrepreneur Claus Meyer. The diet is based on ingredients with a clear Nordic identity, it is simple, seasonal and with an innovative element. Moreover, it contains more fruit and vegetables than the Average Danish Diet, and more wholegrain and is predominantly organic.

Average Danish Diet

The Average Danish Diet denotes the food typically found on Danish supper tables and in Danish lunch packs. Examples could be meat balls, pizza and spaghetti with meat sauce. The ingredients are often dairy products, bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, meat and vegetables such as cucumber and tomato.

For further information
Associate Professor Thomas Meinert Larsen, head of the OPUS Supermarket intervention; tel.: +45 2271 7058 and email:
Communication Officer Kristian Levring Madsen; tel.: +45 4048 1684 and email:

OPUS, - siden er sidst opdateret d.14. februar 2012