Mechanism of the Blood Pressure Lowering Effect of the DASH Dietary Pattern

Inclusion Criteria:

1. SBP 140-159 mm Hg and DBP 90-99 mm Hg based on mean values over two screening visits,
2. Age ≥22 years, and
3. Willing to eat at least one on-site meal/day, five days/week, and willing to eat study diets and nothing else for the 3 weeks of controlled feeding.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any serious illness that would interfere with participation or make DASH diet unsafe to the participants,
2. Currently on cancer chemotherapy or with evidence of active malignancy or radiation therapy within past six months,
3. History of CVD event (MI, CABG, angioplasty, symptomatic ischemic heart disease, or stroke),
4. Clinical diagnosis of congestive heart failure,
5. Current diagnosis of diabetes and treatment for diabetes with oral medication or insulin,
6. Body mass index > 45 Kg/m2,
7. DASH MECHANISM staff or household member of DASH MECHANISM staff,
8. Using Medications including BP lowering drugs within the last three months, using lithium,insulin or oral diabetes medications, oral corticosteroids, unstable doses of psychotropics or phenothiazines, antacids or nutritional supplements unless they can be discontinued, or weight reducing medications;
9. Consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week;
10. Investigator discretion for safety or compliance reasons;
11. Inability to provide reliable BP & vascular functions measurements;
12. Planning to leave the area prior to the anticipated end of the intervention period;
13. Pregnant, planning a pregnancy prior to the end of intervention, or breast feeding;
14. Significant food allergies, preferences, or dietary requirements that would interfere with diet adherence; and
15. Subjects taking medications for erectile dysfunction.