Healthy Eating
A balanced eating pattern with foods from all five food groups is
key to preventing disease + promoting a healthy life style. One such pattern is the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet.
A number of studies have found the DASH eating plan—a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods, with reduced saturated and total fat—can substantially lower blood pressure. This eating plan, originally published in 1997, not only reduces blood pressure, it can also lower risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.9
Some specifics:
- The blood-pressure lowering effect of the DASH Diet is stronger in those with mild hypertension and in certain ethnic groups (such as African-Americans).
- The DASH diet seems to be as effective as some medications at lowering blood pressure in people with mild hypertension.
- A low-sodium DASH diet may have even greater effects on blood pressure.
Researchers estimate that if all Americans followed the DASH diet heart disease cases would be reduced by 15 percent and stroke by 27 percent nationwide. That translates into 225,000 fewer heart attacks and 100,000 fewer strokes every year.10
Best of all, the plan is based on normal, convenient foods and simple recipes … no special dietary supplements or foods are needed. For more information on this very effective dietary pattern, including servings from each food group based on energy needs, click here.
Read more on healthy eating with the DASH Diet.