The sixth edition of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) is now available, and it is the largest report in the history of the NNR, spanning 40 years. Noteworthy is the fact that this edition takes into account the health of both individuals and the environment. The launch of the report has sparked much debate and media attention both in the Nordic countries and worldwide, largely due to the recommendation of consuming a maximum of 350 grams of meat per week.
During an internationally streamed online event, Prof Rune Blomhoff, project leader for the new edition of the NNR from Oslo University, presented and summarized the report. According to Blomhoff, the report proposes a predominantly plant-based diet, emphasizing the consumption of vegetables, fruits, berries, pulses, potatoes, and whole grains. In addition, it advocates for sufficient intake of fresh fish and nuts. The report suggests limiting red meat and poultry, moderate consumption of low-fat dairy products, and minimizing the consumption of processed meat, alcohol, and processed foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar.
In a significant departure from previous editions, the experts behind the report have recalculated recommendations for all micronutrients. As a result, this edition includes, for the first time, recommendations for eight nutrients: Vitamin K, biotic, pantothenic acid, choline, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, and fluoride. Moreover, recommended intake levels for nine nutrients have been increased by over 20%: vitamins C, E, B6, and B12, folate, calcium, thiamine, zinc, and selenium. Blomhoff explained that these recalculations were based on extensive systematic literature searches and global harmonization.
Dr. Emma Derbyshire, a Nutritionist in the UK and Director of Nutritional Insight Ltd, commends these recommendations, highlighting their groundbreaking consideration of both the environment and nutrition. Derbyshire particularly emphasizes the inclusion of recommendations for often overlooked nutrients such as Choline. She also notes the report’s focus on antioxidants and phytochemicals in a dedicated section, although specific reference values for these are not provided. Notably, each summary section contains a subsection labeled “deficiency or at-risk groups,” which Derbyshire finds particularly useful. For example, the report points out that a choline-free diet can lead to liver damage, which can be corrected by consuming 500 mg of choline per day. While no specific risk groups have been established, pregnant and lactating women and children are likely more vulnerable.
Katy Harris, senior policy fellow for the Stockholm Environment Institute, sheds light on the elaborate process behind the creation of the report. Harris reveals that it took five years and involved the contribution of many hundreds of researchers and experts. She highlights the report’s comprehensive scientific basis, stating that it offers the most authoritative guidance on how we should eat, not only for our health, but also for the health of the planet.
This report’s findings are of global significance, and as a testament to its impact, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced that WHO will release new healthy diet guidelines later this year, aligning with the Nordic recommendations. These guidelines will introduce the concept of a healthy diet that considers its environmental impact, and it is hoped that health will be central to climate negotiations.
In summary, the release of the sixth edition of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations has attracted attention worldwide. With a focus on a predominantly plant-based diet and limiting meat consumption, the report also includes recommendations for previously overlooked nutrients. Its comprehensive and evidence-based approach is highly respected, and other countries are closely following these pioneering efforts, with the aim of providing their citizens with effective dietary guidance.