Adherence to the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet has been shown to lower blood pressure. This diet emphasizes high intakes of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains.
New Swedish research reports from a large prospective observational study that women who most closely followed the DASH diet were 37% less likely to experience heart failure (HF) than those whose compliance was the poorest. Interestingly, the women with the lowest HF risk at significantly more daily servings of fruit (3.0 vs. 1.4), vegetables (3.5 vs. 1.8), and whole grains (5.1 vs. 3.3); and they consumed less sweetened beverages (0.1 vs. 0.4) and less red or processed meat (0.8 vs. 2.3).
Positive Tip: Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with less sweet drinks and red or processed meat may do more than help lower your blood pressure!