DASH vs very low carb – an RCT

Results from a 16-week randomised controlled trial comparing the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet to a very low-carb diet have been published. The trial sought to evaluate the improvements in blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and weight in individuals with hypertension, pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes, and overweight/obesity. Additionally, the study aimed to assess whether additional support made a difference in the results.

The trial concluded that the low-carb diet performed significantly better than the DASH diet in terms of blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and weight loss. Participants on the very low-carb diet lost nearly nine additional pounds compared to those on the DASH diet. These results suggest that a low-carb diet may be a more effective dietary approach for individuals with hypertension and diabetes.

However, the additional support provided to participants did not have a significant impact on the results. The study's base level of support was already high, which means that additional support had less of a chance to make a difference. Nevertheless, researchers could have tested the value of the base level of support rather than the extra support provided.

The DASH diet is a dietary approach designed to lower high blood pressure. It involves eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products while limiting foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The very low-carb diet, on the other hand, involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake while increasing protein and fat intake.

Overall, this study's results suggest that a very low-carb diet may be a more effective dietary approach than the DASH diet for individuals with hypertension and diabetes.

The full version of this article can be read below