Modified DASH diet lowers blood pressure in people with diabetes
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- Reviewed by Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
For people with diabetes, a modified version of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can lower their blood pressure, according to a study published online June 9, 2025, by JAMA Internal Medicine. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, the original DASH diet also limits sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. The modified version, called DASH4D, has fewer carbohydrates, more unsaturated fat, and slightly less potassium. The study tested two versions of the DASH4D (one with lower sodium and one with higher sodium) and two versions of a typical American diet (one with lower and one with higher sodium). Each of the 85 people who completed the study followed all four diets in a random sequence for five weeks each. Most were taking at least two blood pressure medications. Compared to the typical American diet with higher sodium, the DASH4D diet with lower sodium reduced systolic blood pressure (the first number in a reading) by 4.6 points and diastolic blood pressure (the second number) by 2.3 points. As the authors note, the next challenge will be making the diet easier for people with diabetes to follow and integrate into their daily lives.
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About the Author
Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
About the Reviewer
Christopher P. Cannon, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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