The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet was originally designed as a tool for managing high blood pressure. In the DASH trial, following a DASH diet reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly, and results were seen within 2 weeks.[1] The DASH diet’s ability to reduce blood pressure is supported by multiple reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Outside of controlled clinical environments, the DASH diet can be more difficult for people to adhere to; however, the ENCORE study showed that if weight loss and exercise tools (such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and group support sessions) were used in conjunction with the DASH diet, blood pressure improvements were greater.[8]
What are the DASH diet’s main benefits?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
The DASH diet is primarily beneficial for managing high blood pressure; significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic pressures have been observed within 2 weeks of following the diet. Its effectiveness is further enhanced when it is combined with weight loss and exercise strategies, as shown in the ENCORE study.