Abstract
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.