DASH Diet to Manage Blood Pressure
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a dietary plan recommended for people to prevent and control hypertension. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods, and the basis of this diet is the proven belief that consuming the right food in the right amounts can fulfill the body’s nutrient requirements and healthy blood pressure levels can be maintained. The DASH diet has been recommended as a diet tip for lowering blood pressure by many health institutions and has become very popular in the country in recent years. The general guidelines of the DASH diet for the various food groups are as follows: Sodium The DASH diet strongly recommends reducing sodium consumption and limiting its total daily intake to 1,500mg to 2,300mg. Vegetables Vegetables provide fiber, potassium, and magnesium, and they are great sources of vitamins. The nitrates in leafy greens are very helpful in reducing hypertension. When following the DASH diet, at least four to five servings of vegetables should be included in the daily diet. Fruits Another diet tip for lowering blood pressure is to ensure that four to five servings of fruits are included in the daily diet as it provides fiber.