The Viking Secret to Beating Stroke
By
Natalie Moore
Posted January 18, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
A stroke is one of the most terrifying things you can go through.
And if you’re lucky enough to survive one, you could be stuck with months of costly rehabilitation, relearning how to do everyday tasks and even limited mobility.
Your best bet is to do everything you can to avoid having a stroke in the first place.
And now scientists say there’s an easy way to do it — and it’s all thanks to one of Europe’s oldest civilizations.
I’m talking about the vikings, and their secret to beating strokes lies in the traditional foods they ate.
These great warriors of the north depended on foods like fish, oatmeal, rye bread, root veggies, cabbages and fruits like pears and apples to fuel their bodies and stay healthy.
More recently, science has discovered that a Nordic-style diet including these foods can help increase your chances of dodging a life-altering stroke.
For the study, researchers followed the diets of more than 55,000 folks in the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study. At the end of the study, the scientist found that participants who followed a Nordic-style diet closely reduced their total risk for stroke by an impressive 14 percent.
That’s 14 percent less risk of losing your independence… or even your life… just by eating some of the tastiest natural foods around.
Scientists believe one reason this ancient diet could help save you from stroke is because it reduces your risk of atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
Additionally, other studies have linked the Nordic diet to weight loss, lower blood pressure and reduced triglyceride levels.
This means following a Nordic-style diet could reduce your chances of not only stroke, but also heart disease and metabolic syndrome — two of the nation’s leading diseases.
And the best part — it’s easy to eat like a viking.
Just incorporate foods like fish, berries, apples, pears, cabbages, kale, Brussels sprouts, celery and herbs like dill and chives into your diet and avoid foods you know vikings didn’t eat, like processed, sugary junk foods.
If you’re looking for meal ideas, check out The New Nordic Diet at www.amazon.com.
Following this easy template could help find your inner warrior and keep your health in tiptop shape.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Adherence to Nordic-Style Diet Linked to Lower Risk for Total Stroke
[2] The Nordic Diet: An Evidence-Based Review
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Is Your Diet ACTUALLY Healthy? Here’s How to Tell
I’ve probably uttered the phrase “healthy diet” when talking to patients, family, and friends more times than I’ve had cups of coffee—and that’s saying something! But I’ll admit it’s not always entirely clear what a healthy diet looks like. What does healthy eating really mean? Let’s take a look… Good news—healthy eating doesn’t mean you...
7 Natural Ways to Tackle Pain Without Pills
On Tuesday, we explored a promising new frontier in pain relief: terpenes, natural compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that may ease pain without the risks of opioids. That research is still developing. But what if you’re looking for help right now? Good news: You don’t have to wait for a pharmaceutical breakthrough to...
Mailbag: Pinched to Pain Free with Natural Sciatica Solutions
“I have been suffering from sciatic pain in my hip and groin. I try to do exercises to stretch it. But ever since I slipped on the ice and fell on my left hip it seems to be getting worse. Is there any help for this?” -Painfully Pinched Dear Pinched, I understand how frustrating sciatic...
New Cannabis Discovery Could Ease Pain—Without the High
A few years ago, everywhere you turned, someone was talking about CBD. The cannabis extract had exploded in popularity for everything from anxiety to inflammation to joint pain. And while the CBD conversation continues, another cannabis compound is quietly making headlines. One that could—believe it or not—provide relief from all kinds of pain. Without the...
"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....