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You may have heard of the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). Created in 1997 by Dr. Lawrence Appel of Johns Hopkins, the diet includes grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods.

Appel, the lead investigator on a study published that year, found that the DASH diet lowered blood pressure, which when high can lead to stroke and heart attack.

Now Appel’s team is studying whether the DASH diet can help people with diabetes, too, since they’re also at risk for stroke and heart disease.

“The DASH diet has been proven very effective in lowering blood pressure, but it hasn’t been tested for people with diabetes,” said Scott Pilla, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins and one of the co-investigators of the DASH 4D study. “Figuring out what diet is best to prevent [a stroke or heart attack] is really important.”

The best part about participating in the study is that volunteers with diabetes will get free, healthy food for five months as well as monetary compensation up to $1,625.

How the study works

Once enrolled, participants will be provided all their meals for 21 weeks. For three days a week, all meals will be served at the Johns Hopkins study center called ProHealth in Woodlawn, Maryland (free parking is provided). All participants will be put into one of four random groups, each receiving a different meal plan. One of the plans will be the DASH diet.

People aren’t required to eat any unusual or fancy foods, Pilla said — just healthy, nutrient-rich meals. The DASH diet, which includes beans, nuts and fish, is similar to the Mediterranean diet.

“The general American diet is not very healthy. How can people do better? If you’re going to change your diet and you have diabetes, what’s the most effective way to do that to prevent problems?”

Learning about good nutrition can prolong people’s lives. In past studies, Pilla said, “people learn a lot, and they get a lot out of it.”

Although the Dash 4D study is in person, Hopkins says it’s committed to safe practices during the pandemic. Kitchen and research staff wear masks and follow CDC guidelines, and social distancing will be in effect in the ProHealth center’s dining room.

To find out more or to volunteer for the Dash 4D study, visit dash4D.com, email dash4d@jhmi.edu or call (410) 281-1600.