Lower-Sodium DASH Diet Significantly Reduces Blood Pressure in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine highlights the benefits of a lower-sodium version of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet for individuals with type 2 diabetes. With over 38 million adults diagnosed with diabetes in the United States, most of whom have type 2 diabetes, managing blood pressure is crucial for reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications.

The traditional DASH diet emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, while limiting saturated fats and cholesterol. For the study, researchers adapted this diet, known as DASH4D, by reducing carbohydrate intake, increasing healthy unsaturated fats, and lowering potassium to make it suitable for those with chronic kidney disease—a common comorbidity among diabetics.

Lead researcher Dr. Scott Pilla explained that although the DASH diet is well-established for lowering blood pressure, its effects in people with diabetes had not been thoroughly studied. The aim was to see if this modified diet could provide additional blood pressure reductions beyond medication. The study found that participants who followed the low-sodium DASH4D diet experienced an approximate 5-point decrease in systolic blood pressure.

The importance of this finding lies in its implications for stroke, heart attack, and heart failure risk reduction. For each 5-point decrease in blood pressure, there's a 14% lower risk of stroke, 6% lower chance of cardiovascular events, and an 8% reduction in heart failure risk.

Participants consumed four different diets across the study, each for five weeks: low-sodium DASH4D, high-sodium DASH4D, low-sodium typical American diet, and high-sodium typical American diet. The diet was provided entirely to participants to maintain consistency, and their calorie intake was adjusted to keep weight stable. The study revealed the most significant blood pressure reductions occurred during the initial weeks of each diet phase.

The researchers emphasized that lifestyle changes, including dietary modifications like the DASH4D diet, can further lower blood pressure in individuals already on medication. Dr. Lawrence Appel remarked that controlling blood pressure is vital, as higher numbers greatly increase cardiovascular risks. The challenge remains to make these diet modifications accessible and culturally adaptable for diverse populations.

Moving forward, the goal is to spread awareness of this dietary approach, helping people with diabetes implement these changes to improve their health outcomes. The findings support incorporating low-sodium DASH-style diets as a key component in managing high blood pressure for diabetic patients.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-sodium-diet-effectively-blood-pressure.html