DASH Diet

The DASH diet can help reduce elevated blood pressure, and can also reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure in the first place. DASH stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension".

DASH is based on clinical results which show that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and some low fat dairy, helps to reduce elevated blood pressure. DASH also focuses on reducing the amount off saturated fat and cholesterol consumed by the individual. An increased emphasis is placed on whole grains, fish and poultry instead of things such as red meat and sugary drinks.

Interestingly there is a second study called DASH-Sodium. This examined the effects of a reduced sodium intake on blood pressure. The results clearly showed that a reduced sodium intake combine with a DASH diet lowered blood pressure. Overall the best effect was to be had by following the DASH diet along with a reduced sodium intake.

The DASH concept could clearly be combined with a big breakfast diet with the end goal of both weight loss and lower blood pressure.