Dash diet reduces high BP, improves vascular health in young: Study

The study included 1559 adolescents (aged 11 to 18 years of age) with newly diagnosed elevated BP or stage 1 hypertension treated at a hospital-based clinic.  They were randomized to receive either DASH diet or routine care. DASH diet participants received a take-home manual plus 2 face-to-face counseling sessions at baseline and 3 months with a dietitian regarding the DASH diet, 6 monthly mailings, and 8 weekly and then 7 biweekly telephone calls focused on behavioral strategies to promote DASH adherence. Routine care participants received nutrition counseling with a dietitian consistent with pediatric guidelines established by the National High Blood Pressure Education Program.

Outcomes, measured pre- and post-intervention and at 18-months follow-up, included change in BP, change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, and change in DASH score based on 3-day diet recalls. 

The researchers found that those who received DASH diet versus routine care had a greater improvement in systolic BP (–2.7 mm Hg), flow-mediated dilation (2.5%), and DASH score (13.3 points) from baseline to post-treatment and a greater improvement in flow-mediated dilation (3.1%) and DASH score (7.4 points) to 18 months.

The study, "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Dietary Intervention Improves Blood Pressure and Vascular Health in Youth With Elevated Blood Pressure," is published in the journal Hypertension.

DOI: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.16156