The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet has once again earned recognition in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Diets Rankings, securing the second spot overall and ranking number one for heart health.
Developed with input from scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the DASH Diet has consistently been lauded for its evidence-based approach to lowering blood pressure, improving heart health, and supporting overall well-being. In the 2025 rankings, the diet also claimed top spots across various categories, including:
• Best Diets Overall: No. 2
• Best Heart-Healthy Diets: No. 1
• Best Diets for High Blood Pressure: No. 1
• Best Diets for High Cholesterol: No. 2
• Best Diabetes Diets: No. 3
• Best Diets for Prediabetes: No. 2
• Best Diets for Healthy Eating: No. 2
• Best Diets for Gut Health: No. 2
• Easiest Diets to Follow: No. 3
• Best Diets for Mental Health: No. 4
• Best Diets for Menopause: No. 4
• Best Diets for Arthritis: No. 4
• Best Diets for Brain Health: No. 4
Dr. Champagne, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Pennington Biomedical, praised the DASH Diet as an easy-to-follow, sustainable eating pattern suitable for the whole family. “It has proven to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, improve heart health, and enhance metabolism,” he said. “For over 15 years, DASH has been ranked near the top because it works.”
The DASH Diet emphasizes a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, fish, poultry, and nuts while reducing red meat, sweets, and sugary beverages. It’s particularly rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and fiber.
Originally funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the DASH Diet was first introduced in a 1997 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which has since been cited thousands of times.
The rankings from U.S. News & World Report are based on evaluations from a panel of 69 experts, including doctors, dietitians, and researchers, ensuring a thorough assessment of each diet’s effectiveness and ease of implementation.
BY – KARTIK
