A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of DASH Diet in Lowering Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Adults

Abstract

Despite interventions such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), hypertension remains prevalent. This systematic review assesses the efficacy of the DASH diet in lowering blood pressure among hypertensive adults. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for original research trials on the DASH diet published between 2014 and 2019. Randomized trials and secondary analyses of adult subjects 18 years and older with prehypertension and hypertension but with no associated medical illnesses and not following any specific diet or exercise were included. Eight studies were eligible and had a low risk of bias. The DASH diet has the potential to lower blood pressure with enhanced effect when combined with reduced sodium, weight loss, and exercise. Although the DASH diet is an efficacious strategy for managing hypertension, further studies should address poor adherence.