The Viking Secret to Beating Stroke

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

Natalie Moore

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

The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life

Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...

Read This

Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?

I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...

Read This

“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health

You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...

Read This

Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age

“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...

Read This

Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?

We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...

Read This

Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED

Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...

Read This

The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints

Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...

Read This

Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss

Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...

Read This

Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer

I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...

Read This

Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk

It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...

Read This