ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) feeding trials and subsequent studies undertaken in free-living individuals that evolved from DASH: the PREMIER and Weight Loss Maintenance intervention trials. The DASH trials demonstrated efficacy of an intervention that emphasized the intake of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products with higher protein and lower dietary fat intake, in lowering blood pressure. This was followed by the PREMIER and Weight Loss Maintenance trials that showed the effectiveness of the DASH diet in a more realistic clinical setting. While the results were less robust, participants were able to lower their blood pressure in a free-living environment. The DASH diet has been used in many other studies with modifications that show that other sources of protein can be used and that full-fat dairy products are as effective as low-fat dairy products. These primarily address cardiometabolic health and include improvements in lipid profiles and cardiovascular biomarkers, kidney disease, heart failure and stroke, all-cause mortality, and some cancers. The DASH diet is effective in all age groups and in different ethnicities. A number of health organizations have endorsed the DASH diet including it as a recommended dietary pattern in the Dietary Guidelines. It has been selected as the best overall diet in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.
