Health, nutrition, and sustainability analysis of commonly consumed grain products in Sweden

Inroduction Grain-based products are a key part of human diets globally and generally have lower climate impact, but their nutritional composition and environmental impacts vary widely among products. The health nutritional index (HENI) quantifies the health impact of foods and can be linked to environmental data, enabling combined assessments of nutritional and ecological aspects. The aim of this project was to rank grain-based food categories commonly consumed in Sweden by HENI scores, the nutrient rich foods (NRF) index 11.3, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs), and biodiversity loss and to explore how HENI scores correlate with NRF11.3, GHGEs, and biodiversity loss. Methods HENI and NRF11.3 were calculated for 297 grain-based products using Sweden-specific dietary risk factors and nutrient requirements. Environmental data was obtained from two databases. Results The highest positive median HENI score was found in “ breakfast cereals and muesli ”, while “ rice ” had the lowest negative score. The widest range occurred in “ buns, soft cakes, pastry and other ”. Sodium, whole grains and fibre contributed most to the variation of HENI. Median across all products was 5 min of healthy life/100 g gained for HENI, 42 for NRF11.3, 0.10 kg CO₂Eq/100 g for GHGEs and 4E −14 E/MSY/100 g for biodiversity loss. A moderate correlation was found between HENI and NRF11.3, suggesting that health impact and nutrient density often align. Results also reveal trade-offs within the grain product categories, suggesting that analyses at this level may be most appropriate for highlighting where such trade-offs between health and environment are most evident. No correlation with GHGEs, but a weak correlation between HENI and biodiversity loss could be identified, suggesting that nutrition-related health impacts do not necessarily align with biodiversity nor GHGEs. Conclusion Grain products in Sweden vary in nutrient density, health and environmental impacts. While some products rank high in nutritional density and positive health impact, their environmental footprint varies. HENI can help identify trade-offs between health and sustainability, which may inform the development of more sustainable dietary guidelines and support food labeling, improved product development, and public health strategies.