The World Health Organization (WHO) has made a new recommendation when it comes to cutting the risks of cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
In its latest Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report, WHO said that following a Mediterranean or Nordic diet is the best in preventing the development of these chronic and life-threatening health problems. The health agency also recommended the implementation of policies that would put these diets in programs across Europe.
WHO made the recommendation after analyzing different health policies and programs in 53 European countries. Experts also compared their findings against risks of chronic illnesses and found that countries that mostly follow a Mediterranean or Nordic diet have fewer patients suffering from cancer, diabetes and heart disease compared to countries that follow fad diets and other types of food programs.
Vegetables, nuts, fish and olive oil are the most common staples in a Mediterranean diet that countries like Greece, Macedonia, Spain and Turkey follow. The Nordic diet -- in countries like Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden -- offers similar choices, with the inclusion of berries, pulses, whole grain cereals and the use of rapeseed oil instead of olive oil.
The Mediterranean diet avoids an excess of processed meat and red meat, and limits poultry or dairy. The Nordic diet avoids sweets, dairy and processed or red meats as well.
"We wanted to know whether countries were using them to inform healthy eating policies," WHO's João Breda told The Guardian. "Both of these diets are really good in terms of impact on health," Breda added. "When countries think about the improvements they want to make, they might be inspired by these diets."
The recommendation comes as Cancer Research UK released a new report that suggested a rise in diabetes cases in adults and teenagers. Diabetes has been linked to obesity, which can be prevented with a good diet and exercise.
