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Positive effect DASH diet significantly increased life expectancy
The nutritional impact on health is extremely far-reaching, and even small improvements in diet can bring significant long-term health benefits. In a recent US study, the DASH diet, which was actually developed to relieve high blood pressure, was clearly associated with a reduced risk of death during the study period.
For people with high blood pressure, the German Hypertension League has been recommending the so-called DASH diet (DASH = Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) for a long time, since previous studies have shown that this diet has a hypotensive effect and can meaningfully support the use of medication. Now, US researchers come to Mercedes Sotos-Prieto from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health concluded in a comprehensive study that the DASH diet also has a positive effect on life expectancy. The researchers have published their study results in the journal The New England Journal of Medicine.
The DASH diet provides plenty of fruits and vegetables, while avoiding red meat and sweets, for example. The diet not only lowers high blood pressure but also has a positive effect on life expectancy. (Image: kucherav / fotolia.com) Influence of nutrition often underestimated
According to Professor dr. Bernhard Krämer, CEO of the German Hypertension League, often underestimates the influence of diet on health and "many patients who develop high blood pressure in middle age are difficult to convince of a change in diet." Although studies have clearly shown that the so-called DASH diet can effectively lower high blood pressure.
How does the DASH diet work??
In the DASH diet, the nutritional plan provides for increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, according to the announcement of the German Hypertension League. Poultry and fish, nuts and legumes are also allowed and restrictions exist only in sugary foods and sweet drinks as well as red meat and fatty acids. Originally, the DASH diet was "a fat-modified diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit," and in subsequent studies it was combined with a reduction in salt intake, explains Professor Krämer.
Three diet types examined
In the current US study, the effects of three different types of diet were studied among the 47,994 participants in the Nurses' Health Study and the 25,745 participants in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. In addition to the DASH diet, a Mediterranean diet and a diet following the recommendations of the US government (Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010) were part of the study. According to Professor dr. med. Joachim Hoyer, clinic director of the Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Marburg, are "similar to the three diets except that the DASH diet is the only one that focuses on avoiding salt."
Decreased risk of death during the study period
For all three diets, a positive impact on life expectancy was noted. This also applied if the diet was not continuously maintained within the 12-year study period. However, with each 20% approach to the ideal diet, the risk of dying was reduced by nearly 10% over the study period. The reduced salt intake alone is probably not responsible for the beneficial effect, explains Professor Hoyer. Rather, even with the DASH diet probably all components are equally important.
The US study clearly demonstrates that improving diet compliance adds value to life expectancy. According to Professor Krämer, it is a common mistake in diets that they are only temporarily adhered to. Any diet would require "a permanent lifelong change in dietary habits," and so would the DASH diet. (Fp)