Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
An article in the medical journal, Hypertension (May 23,
2003), shows that the DASH diet, which is based on vegetables,
fruits and low-fat dairy products, acts as a natural diuretic.
Following the diet causes the body to urinate out more salt in the
same way that diuretics do. Most people do not develop high
blood pressure when they take in excess salt. The people who
benefit the most from the DASH diet are those who are salt
sensitive, which means that their blood pressures rise when they
take in too much salt.
The study included 375 adults with normal to moderately
elevated blood pressure. They ate a DASH diet or a control diet
for three consecutive 30-day periods. Additionally, during each of
those 30-day periods, they ate either a high, moderate, or low-
salt diet. The DASH diet increased the amount of salt in the
urine and also lowered high blood pressure. The DASH diet is
safer than drugs because diuretics can cause tiredness, inability
to exercise, and impotence. More on the DASH diet
May 1, 2006