DASH Diet FAQs

The DASH diet, an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, can be an important tool in helping manage and even prevent high blood pressure. Here are answers to five of the most frequently asked questions:

What makes the DASH diet help lower my blood pressure?

The answer appears to lie in a balanced diet rich in milk products, vegetables and fruits which provides calcium, potassium and magnesium. All these nutrients have been linked to healthy blood pressure. There may also be other nutrients involved whose positive role hasn't yet been pinpointed.

Why don't I just take supplements?

Supplements are simply not as effective as eating food. Food is complex and contains components whose interactions and positive effects on hypertension are not yet fully understood.

Is there a link between the fat in my diet and high blood pressure?

While you may have to watch your fat intake for other reasons, current research shows that dietary fat, of any kind, has little effect on blood pressure.

What about sodium?

This is an issue that should be discussed with your doctor. Generally, however, for and adult it is considered wise to restrict sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg a day. It is good to go easy with the salt shaker since 1 tablespoon of table salt contains 2,375 mg of sodium. However, most sodium in the Canadian diet comes from processed foods, so read labels before you make your food choices.