I'm a dietitian - eat this diet to lower risk of 'silent killer' condition

I'm a dietitian - eat this diet to lower risk of 'silent killer' conditionResearch shows the DASH diet could help lower blood pressure naturallyCommentsNewsFiona Callingham Lifestyle writer04:05, 08 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesAccording to research, this specific diet could help you lower your blood pressure(Image: Getty)Following a specific diet could help lower your risk of developing a deadly silent killer condition. Research suggests that an eating plan known as the DASH diet could prove crucial for those struggling with high blood pressure.‌High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious health condition thought to affect more than a quarter of adults throughout the UK. It occurs when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls remains persistently high.‌This can result in lasting damage to blood vessels and vital organs, and is also a major risk factor for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes.‌Fortunately, there are steps you can take to bring your blood pressure down, including making changes to your diet. In an article for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), senior dietitian Tracy Parker shed further light on the DASH diet.DASH stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" and was developed during the 1990s by scientists at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in America. Tracy said: "The aim of the diet is to cut down on salt (sodium) and eat more nutrients like fibre, potassium and calcium that can help to lower blood pressure naturally.View 3 ImagesDASH stands for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension” and it was devised in the 1990s by researchers(Image: Getty)‌"It contains lots of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and low-fat dairy products, and is low in salt, saturated fats, sugary foods and alcohol. The standard version of the diet limits your sodium intake to 2,300mg or less a day, which is around 6g or one teaspoon of salt."And a lower-sodium version...