Getting back to the DASH eating program, I found there was a second study done, called “DASH-Sodium.” By the way, DASH studies were sponsored by the National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) and conducted by four medical centers. The studies were coordinated at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, OR.

This second study was designed to test the effect of a reduced sodium intake on blood pressure when individuals followed the DASH eating plan versus eating a typical American diet.

This second study showed that the individuals following the DASH eating plan had the lowest sodium level. The conclusion of the study was that it is important to lower your sodium intake because it will have a positive impact on your health.

Participants in the DASH eating plan noticed a reduction in their blood pressure as soon as 2 weeks after starting the DASH plan. Individuals with prehypertension as well as those with high blood pressure saw improvements in their blood pressure readings.

So following the DASH eating plan can not only lower your blood pressure. When you combine the plan with other lifestyle changes like losing weight, getting regular exercise and cutting down on alcohol consumption it can help prevent high blood pressure too.

Those who follow the DASH eating plan also received another benefit: the eating plan can lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) which when combined with its lowering of blood pressure can reduce your risk for heart disease. Of course that really peaks my interest because lower cholestral is one of my main needs.

Be sure to check ou the link on this article title to get more information to the DASH eating plan.