What is a primary benefit of the DASH diet?

The DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is specifically designed to help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. One of the primary benefits of this diet is its effectiveness in lowering both blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels, which is crucial for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The diet emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy while reducing the intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. This nutritional focus helps improve heart health by promoting better blood flow and reducing the strain on blood vessels. The inclusion of potassium-rich foods, for example, is known to help lower blood pressure.

In this context, the other choices present outcomes that do not align with the purpose and benefits of the DASH diet. Options that suggest increasing appetite, enhancing sugar cravings, or boosting triglycerides contradict the fundamental principles of the DASH diet, which aims for heart health and stable blood sugar levels. Thus, the choice highlighting the lowering of blood pressure and LDL cholesterol accurately represents the primary benefit of the DASH diet.