Following the DASH diet, which focuses on fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, can lower both the top and bottom numbers of your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure.

Following the DASH diet helps lower both the top and bottom numbers of your blood pressure by a few points, no matter if you already have high blood pressure or not.

Following the DASH diet can lower high blood pressure by 3 to 16 points in adults, making it a helpful way to protect heart health. The actual drop in blood pressure might be smaller in everyday life compared to strict medical studies, depending on how well the diet is followed and individual health factors.

If you have slightly high blood pressure, eating less salt and following the DASH diet lowers both the top and bottom numbers of your blood pressure in about the same way — so both parts get better together.

Eating the DASH diet alongside common blood pressure medications can help lower your top blood pressure number even more, potentially dropping it by up to 9.5 points compared to taking the medication alone.

The DASH diet doesn't seem to lower blood pressure the same way for everyone, especially when you look at how well their kidneys are working. Some people see big drops in blood pressure, while others see little to no change, making it hard to predict who will benefit most.