In March 2020 researchers from Ireland published the results of their study which assessed the relationship between the DASH dietary pattern and maternal blood pressure in pregnancy. A total of 511 pregnant women were involved in the study. Each individual had their blood pressure monitored throughout their pregnancy. Information on dietary intake was collected via 3-day food diaries in each trimester. DASH scoring criteria were then used to score and rank individuals from low to high intakes of foods recommended in the DASH diet. Results showed that a dietary intake more closely resembling the DASH dietary recommendations throughout pregnancy was associated with a lower diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in trimesters 1 and 3. The researchers therefore concluded that the DASH dietary pattern was associated with lower maternal blood pressure in pregnancy in healthy women without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Courtney AU et al. DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) dietary pattern and maternal blood pressure in pregnancy. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2020 Mar 20. [Epub ahead of print]