DASH Inflammation

The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) has long been recommended as a practical approach toward lowering high blood pressure. It is very similar to the Mediterranean Diet in most ways, including an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, poultry, fish, whole grains and nuts and avoiding most red meat and added sugar.

But a recent study of over 400 participants and published in the American Journal of Cardiology suggests that it may also be effective in reducing inflammation at the cellular level, especially when combined with lower sodium intake. After four weeks on a supervised DASH diet, blood levels of c-reactive protein (a key measure of inflammation) were 13% lower and cardiac troponin (a measure of heart damage) was 14% lower among the participants.

The DASH diet approach may also lower your risk of developing type-2 diabetes as well for cognitive decline. Why would you not give it a try?