# DASH Diet and Preeclampsia Prevention: A Literature Review

## TL;DR

The DASH diet may help reduce the risk of preeclampsia by improving blood pressure and other health factors, though more research is needed.

## Contribution

This review synthesizes evidence on the DASH diet's potential role in preeclampsia prevention and highlights gaps in current research.

## Key findings

- Higher adherence to the DASH diet is linked to a 35–45% lower risk of preeclampsia in observational studies.
- Intervention trials show improved blood pressure control and potential preeclampsia risk reduction in high-risk groups.
- The DASH diet's protective effects may involve better blood pressure, antioxidant defense, and reduced inflammation.

## Abstract

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and limited intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and refined sugars, has been suggested to reduce the risk of preeclampsia. This narrative review aimed to summarize and synthesize the evidence regarding the role of the DASH diet in preeclampsia prevention. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Multiple observational and intervention studies examining DASH diet adherence and preeclampsia outcomes were included. Higher adherence to the DASH diet was associated with an approximately 35–45% reduced risk of preeclampsia in observational studies. Intervention trials in high-risk populations demonstrated improved blood pressure control and potential reductions in preeclampsia incidence. The DASH diet appears to exert protective effects through multiple mechanisms, including improved blood pressure regulation, enhanced antioxidant defense, reduced inflammation, and improved endothelial function. The heterogeneity in study designs, DASH diet assessment methods, and intervention protocols limited the strength of conclusions. Evidence for the effects of greater adherence to the DASH diet on preeclampsia prevention is promising but requires confirmation through larger randomized controlled trials. Future research should focus on standardized DASH diet assessment methods, optimal timing and duration of dietary intervention, and exploration of potential synergies with other preventive strategies.