In a nutshell
This study aimed to see if the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) could reduce the risk of stroke. The main finding of the study was that adherence to the DASH decreased the risk of stroke.
Some background
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was developed in 1997. It consists of 8 components: high intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy foods, legumes and nuts and a low intake of salt, sweetened drinks, red and processed meat. Many studies show that the DASH diet reduces blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are at risk of stroke.
It is unknown whether the DASH diet can reduce the risk of stroke.
Methods & findings
This report summarized 12 different studies with 548,632 patients overall. Follow-up of patients ranged from 5.7 to 24 years.
Compared with lower adherence to the DASH diet, patients who had a higher adherence to this diet had a 12% lower risk of a stroke. This benefit seemed to be greater in Asian patients. Every 4 points increase in the DASH diet score, reduced the risk of stroke by 4%.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that adherence to the DASH diet reduced the risk of stroke.
The fine print
The studies included in this report did not account for medication used for high blood pressure. This might have affected the results.
Published By :
Medicine
Date :
Sep 01, 2018
