A popular eating plan designed to lower blood pressure may also be a powerful tool for controlling blood sugar.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health developed a new version of the DASH diet (short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) specifically for people with type 2 diabetes. This updated plan, called DASH for Diabetes, swaps in fewer carbs, more healthy fats and adjusts potassium levels for those with kidney concerns.
In a 20-week clinical trial, 89 adults with type 2 diabetes alternated between a typical U.S. diet and the new DASH for Diabetes plan. All meals were prepared by study staff, and participants wore continuous glucose monitors to track changes.
The results, published in Nature Medicine, were striking. When following the diabetes-friendly plan, participants had average blood sugar levels 11 points lower than on the standard diet and spent an extra 75 minutes per day in the healthy range. Those with the highest starting blood sugar levels saw the greatest benefits, gaining up to three more hours a day in target range.
“The original DASH diet has long been recommended for people with diabetes and other health conditions due to its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure, but this is the first time a controlled study has shown a significant improvement in glucose control as well,” said senior author Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH, of Johns Hopkins.
The original DASH plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean proteins and limits on sodium, sugary drinks and red meat. For this study, researchers made adjustments:
Fewer carbohydrates to help manage blood sugar.
More unsaturated fats (like those from olive oil, nuts and fish).
Lower potassium levels to make it safer for people with kidney disease.
Researchers hope the results will encourage doctors to incorporate this new version of DASH into treatment plans for people with type 2 diabetes.
This study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Abbott Diabetes Care provided the glucose monitoring devices.