Descriptive characteristics of the dietary patterns used in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Trial. DASH Collaborative Research Group.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Descriptive nutrient analysis from a randomized controlled feeding trial
PubMed 10450290 · doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(99)00412-5
What was done
In the multicenter Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial, participants completed a 3-week run-in period on a control diet before being randomized for 8 weeks to one of three controlled feeding patterns: a control diet, a fruits and vegetables diet, or a combination diet. Sodium intake and body weight were kept constant across all interventions. Analysis of variance models were used to compare the food-group structure, nutrient profiles, and participant nutrient consumption across the three diets.
What was found
The abstract reports qualitative comparisons between diets without providing specific numerical values. The control and fruits and vegetables diets were higher in oils, table fats, salad dressings, red meats, saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol compared to the combination diet. The fruits and vegetables diet and the combination diet were higher in fruits, juices, vegetables, nuts, seeds, magnesium, potassium, and fiber, and lower in sweets and sugary drinks compared to control. The combination diet uniquely increased calcium via low-fat dairy foods and offered greater fruit variety, with substantial differences across diets in vitamins A, C, E, folate, B-6, and zinc.
Why it matters
This paper documents the specific food-group and nutrient composition underlying the original DASH trial diets. It illustrates how whole-food selections were structured to achieve target nutrient levels while keeping sodium and body weight constant.
Limits
The abstract does not report participant sample size, demographic characteristics, exact nutrient quantities, or clinical blood pressure outcomes. The results reflect tightly controlled feeding conditions that may not directly translate to self-selected, free-living dietary adherence.
Cited by
- supports The DASH diet, which includes foods rich in magnesium, has been shown in studies to help manage hypertension.