DASH diet

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DASH diet

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is a dietary pattern promoted by the U.S.-based National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services) to prevent and control hypertension.

Overview

The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods; includes meat, fish, poultry, nuts, and beans; and is limited in sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, red meat, and added fats. In addition to its effect on blood pressure, it is designed to be a well-balanced approach to eating for the general public.

DASH Diet and Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can lead to heart disease and stroke. The DASH diet is a recognized treatment for hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease. The DASH diet can lower blood pressure because it has less salt and sugar than the typical American diet.

DASH Diet Plan

The DASH diet plan includes daily servings of different food groups. The number of servings you should have depends on your daily calorie needs. For example, someone on a 2,000 calorie diet could consume 2.5 cups of vegetables per day.

Benefits of the DASH Diet

The DASH diet is a lifelong approach to healthy eating that's designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). The DASH diet encourages you to reduce the sodium in your diet and eat a variety of foods rich in nutrients that help lower blood pressure, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.

See Also

• Hypertension
• Heart Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Healthy Eating
• Nutrition

External Links

• DASH Eating Plan from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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