Key result
Among adults with hypertension, the DASH diet at higher sodium intake increased blood pressure control two-fold compared to a typical American diet (63% vs. 32%), with maximum control (84%) achieved using the DASH diet combined with lower sodium intake.
Why the study?
Does the DASH diet and reduced sodium intake improve blood pressure control in adults with above-optimal blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension?
RCT (n=412)
Randomly assigned using a parallel group design for diet and random order for sodium levels
Yes
Does the DASH diet and reduced sodium intake improve blood pressure control in adults with above-optimal blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension?
Relative Risk: 2 (95% CI 1.4–2.9)
Absolute Event Rate: 63% vs 32%
p-value: p=<0.01
The combination of the DASH diet and reduced sodium intake significantly improves blood pressure control rates in adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension.
May support DASH plus lower sodium for stage 1 hypertension control; leaves open effects on cardiovascular outcomes.
The authors hypothesized that the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and reduced sodium intake would control stage 1 hypertension and reduce high-normal blood pressure (BP) to optimal levels. Adults with systolic BP 120-159 mm Hg and diastolic BP 80-95 mm Hg were randomly assigned to receive the DASH diet or a typical American (control) diet, consuming three different sodium intakes (higher=142 mmol/d, intermediate=107 mmol/d, and lower=65 mmol/d) for 30 days each. BP control was defined as systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg. Among subjects with hypertension at baseline, at higher sodium intake the DASH diet increased BP control two-fold over control (63% vs. 32%; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-2.9). Reducing sodium intake in the control diet group increased BP control 2.3-fold (74% vs. 32%; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-3.2). The maximum BP control rate (84%) was achieved with the DASH/lower sodium diet. BP became normal or optimal in 71% of persons consuming the control/lower sodium diet and 77% of persons consuming the DASH/lower sodium diet. Both the DASH diet and reduced sodium intake improved BP control.
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Svetkey et al. (2004) conducted an RCT in Above-optimal blood pressure or unmedicated stage 1 hypertension (n=412). DASH diet and reduced sodium intake vs. Typical American (control) diet at higher sodium intake (142 mmol/d) was evaluated on Blood pressure control (systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <90 mm Hg) among subjects with hypertension at baseline (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.9, p=<0.01). Among adults with hypertension, the DASH diet at higher sodium intake increased blood pressure control two-fold compared to a typical American diet (63% vs. 32%), with maximum control (84%) achieved using the DASH diet combined with lower sodium intake.
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