The DASH diet is based on findings from the "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-supported study that found that elevated blood pressure levels can be reduced with an eating plan low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy products. Magnesium, potassium, calcium as well as protein and fiber are important components of the DASH diet.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries. Blood pressure rises and falls throughout the day. But when the pressure stays elevated over time, then it's called high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, the first- and third-leading causes of death among Americans. High blood pressure also can result in other conditions, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.

High blood pressure affects about 50 million—or one in four—American adults. Some people are more likely to develop it than others. Also, many Americans tend to develop high blood pressure as they get older, but hypertension is not a part of healthy aging. About 60 percent of all Americans age 60 and older have high blood pressure.

The DASH eating pattern has been shown to substantially lower blood pressure without weight loss or reduced sodium intake. More recently, another landmark study, DASH-Sodium, has shown that a combination of the DASH diet and sodium reduction can lower blood pressure even more. This combination benefits those with and without high blood pressure.

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