What Is The DASH Diet, How Does It Work, And How Effective Is It In Reducing Weight?

February 1, 2009 -- Question: What is the dash diet, how does it work, and how effective is it in reducing weight?

Answer: The DASH diet -- DASH actually stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension -- is a diet that's based on the USDA food pyramid and it was designed to reduce blood pressure, to control blood pressure. So, because it's based on the USDA pyramid it's a high-carbohydrate diet that emphasizes fruits and vegetables. It really wasn't studied as a weight loss diet, at first. There was a subsequent study and approach called Premier diet, which does lead to weight loss. So you have to calorie restrict the DASH diet in order for it to lead to weight loss.

It does meet the bar for sufficient science to reduce hypertension and reduce weight. It also has sufficient nutrition, and then, also, it does fit into some people's lifestyles. So it meets the bar for recommendation by a physician.