Mixed
Adherence to a DASH dietary pattern significantly lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with greater effects observed in hypertensive individuals, and this effect is amplified by low sodium intake.
Follow the DASH diet: eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, while limiting red meat, saturated fat, and sugar. To maximize blood pressure benefits, also reduce your sodium intake. This combination is highly effective for lowering blood pressure, especially if you have hypertension.
In a pivotal 8-week RCT comparing a Western diet to a DASH diet, the DASH diet lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure, by 5.5 mmHg and 3.0 mmHg, more, respectively, than did the Western diet. In study participants with hypertension, the impact of the DASH diet was greater, as systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell by 11.4 mmHg and 5.5 mmHg, respectively
Why this rating
Supported by pivotal RCTs and umbrella reviews of meta-analyses.
Source
Practical, Evidence-Based Approaches to Nutritional Modifications to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: An American Society For Preventive Cardiology Clinical Practice Statement
Danielle Belardo et al. · American Journal of Preventive Cardiology · 2022
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