What is the DASH diet?

What is the DASH diet?

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet is an eating plan that can effectively lower blood pressure, according to research.In the original study, published in 1997 by the National Institutes of Health, scientists found that adults can reduce their blood pressure by eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods.

The researchers concluded that the DASH diet works as effectively as some blood pressure medications.
Today, the NIH recommends the DASH diet for adults of all ages who want to reduce blood pressure. It even lowers blood pressure a little in those with normal readings.

The benefits come because DASH is rich in minerals - calcium, potassium and magnesium - as well as fiber. For a person who eats 2,000 calories a day, the plan calls for:

* Grains, seven to eight servings each day
* Vegetables, four to five servings each day
* Fruits, four to five servings each day
* Low-fat or nonfat dairy products, two to three servings each day
* Meats, poultry and fish, no more than two servings each day
* Nuts, seeds and legumes, four to five servings each week
* Limited intake of fats and sweets

Important ingredients

The DASH diet emphasizes healthful foods that people don't eat often enough. This means adding a few more servings of fruits and vegetables to your meals.

A fruit serving equals 6 ounces of juice or one piece of fruit. A vegetable serving equals a half cup of raw or cooked chopped vegetables or one cup of raw leafy vegetables.
Eating a variety of colorful produce can provide pressure-lowering potassium for your meals.

Next, be sure to get a couple of servings of low-fat dairy foods. One 8-ounce glass of milk or 1.5 ounces of cheese counts as one dairy serving. The calcium contained in these foods helps to lower blood pressure.

Also substitute refined grains with whole grains as often as you can. One slice of bread or a half cup of cooked grains is one serving. Compared to refined products, whole grains contain more fiber and other nutrients that lower blood pressure.

Finally, some other foods are a good source of magnesium in the DASH diet. Nuts, seeds and legumes are top-notch sources that help to lower blood pressure. Eat one-third cup of nuts, a tablespoon of seeds, or a half cup of cooked beans to get a serving.

Easy does it on the salt.

Besides eating mineral-rich foods, cutting back on sodium can help blood pressure to drop even more. In the DASH-Sodium Study, completed in 2000, researchers followed 412 adults on six different diets for 14 weeks.

They found those who consumed a DASH diet with only 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day had the biggest improvements in blood pressure. The scientists concluded that eating less salt may help lower blood pressure risk.
fruits-vegetables-that-lower-blood

What is the DASH diet? A Video :

 

Beating high blood pressure with food

Hypertension is the ultimate stealth condition. You'd never know you have it without having your blood pressure measured — or until high blood pressure begins to damage vital organs.

Half of the 65 million American adults with high blood pressure don't have it under control. That's worrisome given the insidious consequences of high blood pressure. It is the leading cause of stroke in the United States. It contributes to thousands of heart attacks. It overworks heart muscle, leading to heart failure. 

It damages the kidneys, erodes sight, interferes with memory, puts a damper on sexual activity, and steals years of life.

Blood pressure categories
	Systolic		Diastolic
Normal (optimal)	<120	and	<80
Elevated	120-129	and	<80
Stage 1 Hypertension Stage 2 Hypertension	130-139 ≥140	or or

Drugs that lower blood pressure tend to work well. But they don't necessarily attack the cause of the problem. And no matter how safe they are, all drugs can have some unwanted or unintended side effects.

A healthful diet is an effective first-line defense for preventing high blood pressure. It is an excellent initial treatment when blood pressure creeps into the unhealthy zone, and a perfect partner for medications. Unfortunately, translating the dietary strategies tested in clinical trials into diets for daily life hasn't been easy.

Here's evidence-based advice about diet and blood pressure, :

• Eat more fish, nuts, and legumes (beans).
• Try to burn at least as many calories each day as you take in.
• Turn to vegetables and fruits instead of sugary or salty snacks and desserts.
• Select breads, pasta, and other carbohydrate-rich foods that are made from whole grains instead of highly refined white flour.
• Eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juice.
• Use unsaturated fats like olive, canola, soybean, peanut, corn, or safflower oils instead of butter, coconut oil, or palm-kernel oil.
• Rely on fresh or frozen foods instead of canned and processed foods.
• Choose low-sodium foods whenever possible; use herbs, spices, vinegar, and other low-sodium flavorings instead of salt.
• Decrease your caloric intake if you need to lose weight.
• If you need help, record everything that you eat day by day for a week. Have this information reviewed by a dietitian.

Beating high blood pressure with food Video :