Nutrition Q & A
My Friend Says She Follows the DASH Diet to Help Lower Her Blood Pressure. What Does DASH Mean?
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Research supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutes (NHLBI) has shown that the DASH eating plan can lower blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol which can reduce your risk for heart disease. This heart-healthy eating plan also provides nutrients that are in short supply in many Americans' diets.
The DASH eating plan emphasizes eating fruits, vegetables and low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products. It also encourages eating more whole grain foods. These foods provide calcium, potassium, fiber and magnesium—important nutrients for managing blood pressure—as well as vitamins A, C and E.
Learn More About This Topic
DASH Eating Plan Resources from NHLBI »
Brochure: Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH (pdf) »