Blood Pressure-Lowering Mechanisms of the DASH Dietary Pattern

Table 1

Nutrient composition of the two dietary assignments.¹

Nutrients	DASH	Control
Energy (kcal)	2100	2100
Total fat (% kcal)	27	34
Saturated fatty acids (% kcal)	4	13
Monounsaturated fatty acids (% kcal)	15	13
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (% kcal)	8	8
Protein (% kcal)	18	15
Carbohydrate (% kcal)	56	49
Cholesterol (mg)	150	300
Fiber (g)	32	11
Potassium (mg)	4700	1700
Magnesium (mg)	500	160
Calcium (mg)	1250	450
Sodium (mg)	3400	3400

¹All data based on daily energy intake of 2100 kcal. Percentages for macronutrients (fats, protein, and carbohydrate) remained the same for all caloric levels. Other target nutrients including fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium were proportional to caloric intake.