The effect of dietary patterns on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients: Results from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial

To determine the impact of dietary patterns on the control of hypertension we studied the subgroup of 133 participants with systolic blood pressure (B P) of 140 to 159 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP of 90 to 95 mm Hg enrolled in th e Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study. Participants were f ed a control diet for a 3-week period and were then randomized to receive f or 8 weeks either the control diet; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, b ut otherwise similar to control; or a combination diet rich in fruits, vege tables, and low-fat dairy products, including whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts, and reduced in fats, red meats, sweets, and sugar-containing beve rages. Sodium intake and body weight were held constant throughout the stud y. The combination diet significantly reduced systolic BP (-11.4 mm Hg, P < .001) and diastolic BP (-5.5 mm Hg, P < .001). The fruits-and-vegetables d iet also significantly reduced systolic BP (-7.2 mm Hg, P < .001) and diast olic BP (-2.8 mm Hg, P = .013). The combination diet produced significantly greater BP effects (P < .05) than the fruits-and-vegetables diet. Blood pr essure changes were evident within 2 weeks of starting the intervention fee ding. After the 8-week intervention period, 70% of participants eating the combination diet had a normal BP (systolic BP < 140 and diastolic BP < 90 m m Hg) compared with 45% on the fruits-and-vegetables diet and 23% on the co ntrol diet. In patients with hypertension, the DASH combination diet effect ively lowers BP and may be useful in achieving control of Stage 1 hypertens ion. Am J Hypertens 2000;13:949-955 (C) 2000 American Journal of Hypertensi on, Ltd.