The American Heart Association (AHA) has named the “DASH Diet” as the best diet for heart health. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and the diet is designed to help prevent and control high blood pressure. The diet emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products, while limiting saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugars. The AHA recommends that people on the DASH diet consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.
Research has shown that the DASH diet can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney stones, and improve overall health. In addition to its heart health benefits, the DASH diet has been linked to weight loss and a reduced risk of certain types of cancer.
The AHA’s endorsement of the DASH diet comes as part of its annual ranking of diets for overall health and weight loss. The ranking takes into account factors such as nutrition, ease of following, safety, and effectiveness for long-term weight loss. In addition to the DASH diet, other diets that received high marks for heart health and overall health included the Mediterranean diet, the Flexitarian diet, and the vegetarian diet.
According to the AHA, following a heart-healthy diet is an important part of reducing the risk of heart disease and maintaining good health. In addition to the DASH diet, the AHA recommends regular exercise, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress as key factors in maintaining heart health.
Overall, the AHA’s endorsement of the DASH diet highlights the importance of a healthy diet in maintaining good heart health. By emphasizing whole foods and limiting unhealthy fats and sugars, the DASH diet is a simple and effective way to improve overall health and reduce the risk of heart disease.