A clinical trial conducted at Johns Hopkins demonstrated that a customized form of the DASH diet, called DASH4D, can markedly enhance glucose regulation in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This modified approach adjusts the standard DASH framework by lowering carbohydrate intake, boosting unsaturated fats, and reducing potassium content to ensure suitability for patients with kidney disease.

In a 20-week randomized study, 89 participants followed either the DASH4D diet or a standard U.S. diet, with all meals provided and blood sugar tracked via continuous glucose monitors. The study found that participants on the DASH4D diet had average blood glucose levels 11 mg/dL lower than those on the standard diet, and they spent an extra 75 minutes each day within the ideal blood sugar range.

Benefits were even greater for individuals with HbA1c above 8%, who gained roughly three extra hours daily in the target range. This improvement is considered clinically meaningful and could translate into reduced complications over time.

As the first controlled trial to demonstrate such benefits from a DASH-like diet tailored for diabetes, the findings suggest DASH4D could be a valuable addition to dietary guidelines, especially for people managing both type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

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