Researchers looked at a special eating plan called the New Nordic Renal Diet that’s designed to help people with kidney problems. This diet focuses on eating local, organic foods that are good for the environment and your body. Scientists reviewed studies to see if this way of eating could help protect kidney health and manage kidney disease. The findings suggest that eating foods from this diet—like whole grains, fish, and vegetables from Nordic regions—may help people with kidney issues feel better and stay healthier. However, more research is still needed to fully understand how well it works for different people.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a special eating plan called the New Nordic Renal Diet can help people with kidney disease and keep their kidneys working better
- Who participated: This was a review of existing research, so scientists looked at many different studies rather than testing people themselves
- Key finding: The New Nordic Renal Diet appears to have health benefits for kidney health because it emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods that are locally grown and good for the environment
- What it means for you: If you have kidney problems, talking to your doctor about trying a diet with more local, organic whole foods might be helpful. However, kidney disease is serious, so you should work with a kidney specialist or dietitian before making big changes to what you eat
The Research Details
This was a narrative review, which means scientists read through many published studies about the New Nordic Diet and kidney health, then summarized what they found. Instead of doing their own experiment with patients, the researchers looked at what other scientists had already discovered and tried to understand the big picture. They examined how the New Nordic Diet works, what makes it special, and whether the foods in this diet could help people whose kidneys aren’t working as well as they should. The researchers were careful to look at both the good things and potential problems with this eating approach.
Understanding different eating patterns helps doctors and patients make better choices about food. By reviewing what scientists already know about the New Nordic Diet and kidney health, researchers can help people with kidney disease find eating plans that might actually work for them. This type of review is important because it brings together information from many studies to give a clearer picture than any single study could provide.
This is a narrative review, which means it’s based on scientists reading and summarizing other studies rather than conducting a new experiment. This type of review is helpful for understanding what we know so far, but it’s not as strong as studies that directly test people. The quality depends on which studies the reviewers chose to include and how carefully they evaluated them. Readers should know that this review summarizes existing evidence but doesn’t provide brand-new proof that the diet works—it points to areas where more research is needed.
What the Results Show
The New Nordic Renal Diet combines principles from the regular New Nordic Diet—which emphasizes local, organic, seasonal foods—with special changes to help kidney health. The diet focuses on whole grains, fish, vegetables, and other foods that are grown in Nordic regions and are minimally processed. Research suggests this approach may help people with kidney disease because these foods tend to have less salt, phosphorus, and potassium, which are nutrients that people with kidney problems often need to limit. The diet also emphasizes foods that reduce inflammation in the body, which can be helpful for kidney health. Additionally, because the diet uses local and organic foods, it may have environmental benefits that support overall wellness.
Beyond kidney health, the New Nordic Diet in general has been studied for its effects on heart health, weight management, and blood sugar control. The foods in this diet are rich in fiber and healthy fats, which support overall health. The emphasis on organic and locally grown foods means fewer pesticides and chemicals, which some research suggests could be beneficial. The environmental sustainability aspect of the diet—using local foods that don’t travel far—also appeals to people who care about the planet’s health.
The New Nordic Diet was originally created as a healthier version of Mediterranean eating that uses foods available in Northern Europe. Scientists have already found that the regular New Nordic Diet helps with heart health and managing weight. This new version adapted for kidney health builds on that success by making specific changes to the foods and portions to match what kidney patients need. It’s similar to other kidney-friendly diets that limit certain nutrients, but it focuses on whole, real foods rather than processed options.
This review has some important limits to understand. First, it’s based on reading other studies rather than testing the diet with new patients, so we don’t have completely fresh evidence. Second, most studies on the New Nordic Diet have been done in Europe, so we’re not sure if it works the same way for people in other parts of the world with different food availability. Third, kidney disease varies greatly from person to person, so a diet that helps one person might not help another. Finally, the review shows that more research is needed specifically on the New Nordic Renal Diet for kidney disease—much of the evidence comes from studies of the regular New Nordic Diet, which is slightly different.
The Bottom Line
If you have kidney disease, the New Nordic Renal Diet may be worth discussing with your kidney doctor or a dietitian who specializes in kidney health. The emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods and limited salt appears to support kidney health (moderate confidence level). However, because kidney disease requires careful management of specific nutrients, you should not start this diet on your own—work with a healthcare professional to make sure it’s right for your specific situation (high confidence in this recommendation). The diet may also benefit your heart and overall health, which is an added bonus.
People with kidney disease or those at risk for kidney problems should pay attention to this research. People with diabetes or high blood pressure—which can damage kidneys—might also benefit from learning about this diet. However, people with healthy kidneys don’t need to follow a special kidney diet. If you have kidney disease, you should definitely care about this, but always work with your doctor before making changes. Pregnant women, children, and people with other serious health conditions should talk to their doctors before trying any new diet.
Changes from diet usually take time. You might notice improvements in how you feel within a few weeks, but real changes in kidney function typically take several months to show up in blood tests. Some people see benefits faster than others. It’s important to be patient and stick with the plan while working closely with your healthcare team to monitor your progress.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily intake of whole grains, fish, and locally sourced vegetables, aiming for at least 3 servings of these foods daily. Also monitor sodium intake (target under 2,300mg per day for kidney health) and note any changes in energy levels or how you feel.
- Start by replacing one processed food per day with a whole, locally sourced alternative. For example, swap packaged snacks for fresh berries, or replace processed bread with whole grain options. Use the app to log these swaps and celebrate small wins to build momentum.
- Weekly check-ins on food choices and monthly reviews of how you’re feeling. Share your food logs with your healthcare provider during regular kidney health appointments. Track any changes in symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or appetite. Use the app to set reminders for kidney-friendly meals and to schedule regular check-ups with your kidney specialist.
This review summarizes research about the New Nordic Renal Diet and kidney health, but it is not medical advice. Kidney disease is a serious condition that requires professional medical care. Do not start, stop, or change any diet without first talking to your doctor or a kidney specialist. The information here is for educational purposes only. If you have kidney disease, work with a registered dietitian and your healthcare team to create a meal plan that’s right for your specific needs and lab values. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing your kidney health.