The effect of the DASH diet on heart disease

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet on heart disease, blood pressure and diabetes in patients with and without diabetes. The main finding of this study was that the DASH diet is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and improves blood pressure in patients with and without diabetes.

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. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart and blood vessel disease (cardiovascular [CV] disease). People with diabetes are at higher risk for CV disease. Obesity and high cholesterol also increase the risk of CV disease. 

The effect of the DASH diet on blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, and risk of CV disease is unknown.

This study included the findings from 15 individual studies including 942,140 patients. Some patients had diabetes, some did not. The main outcome compared in the studies were the rates of CV disease and blood pressure levels. Other outcomes included coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and diabetes. 

The DASH diet was associated with a 20% lower risk of new CV disease, a 21% lower risk of CAD, a 19% reduced risk of stroke and an 18% reduced risk of diabetes. The DASH diet was also associated with a decrease in blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight. In patients with diabetes, there was evidence that the DASH diet may reduce HbA1c (a measure of long-time blood glucose control).

The authors concluded that the DASH diet is associated with decreased risk of CV disease and improved blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight.