What is the dash diet?
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet is a healthy eating plan to treat or prevent high blood pressure. The DASH diet is a healthy eating plan developed to treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a diet plan to lower or control high blood pressure.
The DASH diet focuses on foods low in sodium as well as foods rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium nutrients that help lower blood pressure. The DASH diet is low in salt and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein. The diet was first developed to lower high blood pressure. It is also a healthy way to lose weight.
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat high blood pressure. The DASH diet is lower in sodium than a typical American diet, which can contain a whopping 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium or more per day. The authors assumed that a diet containing many different foods containing antihypertensive nutrients would have a greater effect on blood pressure than eating individual nutrients, such as those contained in dietary supplements or in a limited diet. Research supports the use of the DASH diet as a healthy eating pattern that can help lower blood pressure and prevent or reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and gout.
The DASH diet focuses on foods rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and fiber, which when combined help lower blood pressure. The DASH diet includes menus rich in vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products, as well as whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts. On the DASH diet plan, you’ll likely eat a lot more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The DASH diet is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps achieve a life-long, heart-healthy eating style.
The reduction in blood pressure in the DASH combination diet was comparable to that of patients receiving stage 1 hypertension medication.
